Cause of 5 Acre Puʻunēnē Brush Fire Under Investigation

Maui Brush Fire Investigation. Maui Now graphic.

By Maui Now Staff

The Maui Fire Department is investigating the cause of an unscheduled sugar cane fire that burned an estimated five acres off of the Mokulele Highway near Hawaiian Cement in Puʻunēnē.

The fire was reported at around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2015, by a Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company security officer who was patrolling the area.

Kahului firefighters arrived about 15 minutes later and found grass and brush on fire off South Firebreak Road, next to Hawaiian Cement, said Maui Fire Services Officer Edward Taomoto.

Firefighters from Kahului, Kīhei, and crews aboard two fire department water tankers responded to the incident. HC&S also assisted by sending two water tankers.

The fire was contained by 11:54 p.m. and called extinguished at 2:26 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2015, according to department reports.

No damages to structures or injuries were reported.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Captain Paul Haake with the Fire Prevention Bureau at (808) 244-9161, extension 23.