Fire Causes $24,000 in Damage to Structure in Waiehu Mac Nut Field

MFD logo. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

An uninhabited structure was destroyed by fire in the former Wailuku Agribusiness macadamia nut fields in Waiehu on Friday night, fire officials said.

According to department reports, the fire caused an estimated $24,000 in damage to the 1,200-square-foot structure.

The incident was reported at 6:48 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2014, when a Waiehu Terrace resident on Lekeona Loop reported seeing smoke and flames coming from the mauka side of the Kahekili Highway and Waiehu Beach Road intersection.

When fire crews responded, they could see moderate smoke and an orange glow at the top of Malaihi Road, but had trouble locating the fire, said Maui Fire Service Chief Lee Mainaga.

According to Mainaga, the 30 x 40 foot structure was fully involved with fire, and the roof and walls were already collapsed when firefighters arrived at the scene at around 7:05 p.m.

Fire officials say the blaze, located next to North Waiehu Stream, was contained to the structure and may have gone unnoticed for some time.

The fire was brought under control at 7:50 p.m., and was extinguished by 9:36 p.m., according to department reports.

Units responding to the scene included Engine-1 from Wailuku, Battalion Chief-2, and Hazmat-10 and Tanker-10 from Kahului.