Maalaea Blaze Extinguished, Burns 5 Acres, Phone Service Restored

(Updated @ 5:50 p.m. Sunday, November 01, 2009)

A brush fire in Maalaea burned 5 acres before being brought under control at 2:36 p.m. and extinguished at around 6 p.m. The fire was first reported at 11:26 a.m. and had forced the complete closure of the Honoapiilani Highway between Ukumehame and Maalaea for two hours. One lane was reopened to outbound traffic from West Maui at 1:30 p.m. and by 2 p.m., both lanes were completely opened to travel in both directions.

The Maui Fire Department utilized ground crews and Air One support to battle a brush fire and keep it from spreading in the terrain above Maalea. Photo Courtesy County of Maui.

Resources were quickly deployed to keep a fire above Maalaea from spreading into the mountainous terrain or across the critical roadway that links Central and West Maui. Photo Courtesy County of Maui.

Hawaiian TelCom crews worked to restore phone service after the fire above Maalaea damaged fiber used to serve the West Maui area. Photo Courtesy County of Maui.

The fire was located near mile marker 6, mauka of Maalaea Harbor. 20 firefighters assisted by Air One, Air Two and four water tankers battled teh fire in rocky terrain.

“We’re lucky that wind gusts were only at 20-25 mph considering that this area is known for high winds,” said Battalion Chief Val Martin. “We didn’t waste any time getting resources here so that we could get a handle on it as quickly as possible.”

Hawaiian TelCom’s fiber was damaged in the fire and the company dispatched crews to the site to begin immediate repairs. Telephone landlines and some cell phone services were affected. According to Hawaiian TelCom’s Maui County Island Manager, Val Ogata, phone service to West Maui was restored by 4:45 p.m.

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

(Updated @ 5:50 p.m. Sunday, November 01, 2009)

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(Updated @ 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 01, 2009)

The Honoapiilani Highway is now open for travel in both directions. The road was closed earlier today because of a brush fire that continues to burn mauka of the highway in Maalaea.

The fire has affected 911 service in West Maui. Callers with emergencies are advised that landlines in their area may be affected by damage caused to Hawaiian TelCom fiber. Some cell phone services may also be affected.

The brush fire was first reported at 11:26 a.m. near mile post 6 of the Honoapiilani highway mauka of Maalaea Harbor between Maalaea and Ukumehame.

Motorists should expect slow traffic and delays for the rest of the afternoon and possibly early evening as Hawaiian TelCom continues repair work in the area and Maui firefighters work to extinguish the fire.

Again, Maui Police re-opened the Honoapiilani Highway for travel in both directions at around 2:00 this afternoon (Sunday, November 01, 2009).

Motorists are asked to avoid unnecessary travel in the area. No injuries are reported.

(Updated @ 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 01, 2009)

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(Updated @ 1:40 p.m. Sunday, November 01, 2009)

A single lane of the Honoapiilani Highway, in the Wailuku bound direction, was reopened at 1:30 p.m. The road was completely closed shortly before 11:30 a.m. because of a brush fire in the pali area.

Again, one lane of Honoapiilani Highway for Central Maui-bound traffic, allowing motorists to travel out of West Maui, was re-opened by Maui Police at around 1:30 p.m. Road conditions are continuing to be reassessed by police. Motorists are advised that traffic will be noticeably slow.

Reported damage from the fire to Hawaiian TelCom’s fiber may cause some phone service to be disrupted. Hawaiian TelCom’s crews have been dispatched to the site.

20 firefighters, assisted by Air One conducting water drops and 4 water tankers, are on scene at the brush fire in Maalaea. The fire ix located mauka above Maalaea Harbor near mile marker 6 between Maalaea and Ukumehame.

No injuries are reported. Additional details will be provided when they become available.

(Updated @ 1:40 p.m. Sunday, November 01, 2009)

(Posted by Wendy Osher)