(2:20 p.m. Update 9/3/10) Maui firefighters are battling a brush fire reported at around 1 p.m. this afternoon in Puamana.  The blaze was burning in the mountainous terrain above the Puamana area in West Maui.  The fire fighting efforts included ground crews as well as air support with water drops from the Department’s Air One helicopter.  MauiNOW crews [...]

By Wendy Osher  (4:30p 8/11/10 Update):  Battalion Chief Karl Kubo called the Ukumehame brush fire 90% contained. Crews will continue to monitor the area tonight. (Update: 9:45 a.m. 8/11/10) Maui firefighters are now conducting mop-up operations after two fires in West Maui forced the four hour closure of the Honoapiilani Highway last night.  A fire [...]

By Wendy Osher (4:15 p.m. 8/6/10) The Kehalani fire that started just before midnight, remains at 60 acres and no injuries are reported.  There was damage reported to waterlines connected to the ‘Iao Water Treatment Facility, which has been shut down while lines are repaired.  The shutdown does not currently affect water customers in the area. Fire [...]

A brushfire in Makawao yesterday afternoon burned three acres of pasture land before being brought under control.  The fire was first reported at around 4:30 p.m. on Hoomaha Street near the old egg farm.  Crews had the fire under control within 40 minutes and had the blaze fully extinguished by 8:10 p.m.  Acting Battalion Chief [...]

(Update: 6:00 a.m. 6/21/10) The search for a missing snorkeler off of Kaanapali was suspended Sunday after four days of search efforts turned up no signs of the missing woman.  The 54-year old tourist from Colorodo was last seen Thursday afternoon in the Pu’u Keka’a or Black Rock area.  The search covered an area more than twice [...]

(Update:  12p 6/9/10) The Maalaea fire is now 75% contained.  A noon update provided by the county notes the fire grew to 5,800 acres in size since last report. Both lanes of Honoapiilani Highway remain open to traffic. However, motorists are cautioned that wind conditions could adversely affect the fire and cause intermittent road closures. [...]

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares returned to the council yesterday (Tuesday, May 18, 2010) urging members to restore full funding for the South Maui Park and the Fire Department’s helicopter.  Tavares said the deletion of $250,000 for Countywide Parks Facilities would hamper the completion of Phase 1A of the South Maui Community Park.  She said reduction [...]

A brush fire in Sprecklesville Thursday night burned at least 2 acres of state owned land near the Kahului Airport.  The fire was first reported at 10:03 p.m. about a half-mile from a nearby residential neighborhood.  The Fire Department’s Air One helicopter was dispatched this morning to assist. The incident did not impact airport operations.  [...]

An Ukumehame brush fire scorched an estimated one-acre of land before being extinguished Thursday afternoon, March 18, 2010. The fire was first reported at 11:18 a.m. on land near the Ukumehame Gun Range on the mauka side of the Honoapiilani Highway, and well away from any public roads. The blaze was quickly brought under control [...]