#Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety

The damages from a home fire in Kihei over the weekend are estimated to be in the $6 million range. Batallion Chief Jeff Schaffer with the Maui Fire Department said the fire caused extensive damage to the 2-story dwelling, but the cause remained under investigation. The multimillion dollar structure had a total 6,000 square feet […]

A deadly crash in Waihee Wednesday night claimed the life of a third person.  Authorities say the back seat passenger from the single car collision died Sunday afternoon, October 4, 2009 at 12:35 p.m.  The victim was identified as 17-year-old Jared Kalamaku Kana of Waihee.  Jared was the younger brother of the driver, 20-year-old Nailima […]

By Wendy Osher UPDATE @  3:45 P.M. Thursday, September 03, 2009 Firefighters continue to maintain their posture in fighting the 8,000 acre Molokai fire that has been burning for six days.  County Civil Defense Administrator Gen Iinuma tells us crews have been doing an exceptional job of maintaining the perimeter of the fire, but continue […]

UPDATE: 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, September 02, 2009 By Wendy Osher Firefighters now have 50% containment on a 5-day old fire on Molokai that has burned 8,000 acres since Saturday afternoon.  Two TH-47 Chinook Helicopters from the National Guard are being used today to assist as crews work to get a better handle on the forestry […]

3:30 P.M. UPDATE:  Tuesday, September 01, 2009 By Wendy Osher Firefighters continue to maintain their hold on a fire that has burned between 7,800 and 8,000 acres since it started Saturday afternoon.  The blaze is now 50% contained overall, but the upper portion of the fire in the forestry area remains active, and is not […]

UPDATED @ 4:00 P.M. MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009 More than 70 state and county firefighters are on the scene of a three day old fire on Molokai that has now burned an estimated 7,800 acres.  Crews are being assisted by 5 helicopters, 7 bulldozers, and 5 water tankers. Bulldozer activity remains heavy as equipment operators […]

UPDATED @ 12:30 P.M. MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009 County and state fire crews continue their third day of battling a brush fire on Molokai that has increased in size to 7,200 acres since it was first reported Saturday afternoon. On the ground, 40-plus County firefighters are joined by 28 wildland firefighters from the State’s Division […]

UPDATE: 6:45 A.M. MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009 FIRE FORCES SCHOOL CLOSURES:  The department of Education closed four schools on Molokai today because of the ongoing fire above Kaunakakai. Closures today include Molokai High, Molokai Middle, Kaunakakai Elementary and Kualapuu Elementary Public Charter School. DROUGHT CONDITIONS ON MOLOKAI:  The island of Molokai has been having especially […]

UPDATE TO KAUNAKAKAI FIRE SUNDAY 8/30/09 4:15 p.m. RESIDENTS OF KALAMAULA MAUKA ON MOLOKAI EVACUATED A change in wind conditions has caused the brush fire on Molokai to switch from a mauka direction to makai. In response, Maui Police ordered residents in the Kalamaula Mauka area to evacuate at around 4:15 this (Sunday, August 30, […]

A brush fire above Kaunakakai on Molokai burned 60 acres by 3:30 Saturday afternoon, August 29, 2009. The fire was first reported at 12:05 p.m. in a town located above Kaunakakai. County officials say the fire was burning in the mauka direction. Three helicopters were dispatched to the scene for water drops as well as […]

The Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety held a blessing today for the department’s Heavy Rescue Truck that will be used in rescue and recovery efforts island-wide.  The truck will go on line in the first week of August, providing rescue crews with the ability to transport equipment and supplies aboard a single response […]

The recent promotion of four firefighters to the rank of battalion chief marked a milestone for the department.  The simultaneous promotion of Karl Kubo, Derrick Arruda, James “Kimo” Kino and Valeriano Martin allows the department to fill an existing vacancy and three newly created positions. The department had sought for eight years to increase the […]

Four members of the Maui Fire Department were promoted to Battalion Chief during a badge pinning ceremony Wednesday at the Kahului Fire Station. Those promoted include Derrick Arruda, James Kino, Karl Kubo and Valeriano Martin. The expansion positions were among the administration’s goals set by Maui Fire Chief Jeff Murray, and part of the department’s […]

A rash of morning fires along the Honoapiilani Highway are being investigated as suspicious incidents-that according to Acting Battalion Chief Derrick Arruda with the Maui Fire Department.  Maui police say three fires occurred within a 35 minute period this morning between Olowalu and Puamana. Maui police say the first was reported in Olowalu at 10:38 […]

(Story & Photos by Wendy OSHER © 2009) The Maui Fire Department added two new vehicles to its fleet yesterday-an engine for West Maui and an Air/Light Truck for large scale incident response. The new Engine 3 will be stationed at the Lahaina Fire Station and will be used in protecting the West Maui Community. […]