PHOTOS: Kīhei Cane Burn Part of HC&S Annual Harvest

Oct. 27, 2014, 6:15 a.m. from Māʻalaea Harbor toward Kīhei. Courtesy Steve Butler aboard the Mahana Naiʻa.

By Wendy Osher

Several residents sent in photos this morning of a scheduled cane fire in South Maui.

The plume of smoke from the fire could be seen from Māʻalaea Harbor with light winds carrying the smoke skyward.

According to notifications from Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company, the fire was a scheduled burn that began at 6 a.m., and was to conclude 10 a.m. above Hawaiian Cement near Kīhei.

The burn is part of the company’s 142nd harvest that began in mid-March.

HC&S cultivates 36,000 acres of cane, and is recognized as the lone producer of raw and specialty sugar in Hawaiʻi.

The same area is scheduled for burning tomorrow and Wednesday as well, between 6 and 10 a.m., according to a company notification posted online.  Later this week, cane burning is scheduled in the Pāʻia area, according to the company website.

According to the material published by HC&S, company officials say schedules can change based on updated weather forecasts and operating conditions at the processing plant.

The public can access updated cane burning schedules via text, email, or online at HCSugar.com.

Oct. 27, 2014, 6:15 a.m. from Māʻalaea Harbor toward Kīhei. Courtesy Steve Butler aboard the Mahana Naiʻa.

Oct. 27, 2014, from Kīhei. Courtesy photo.