Kahikinui Brush Fire Now 2 Weeks Old, Mop-Up Continues

Kahikinui Brush Fire as of 2.18.2016 (Photo: Ryan Piros)

Maui firefighters continued mop-up operations over the weekend at the site of the smoldering 5,600 acre Kahikinui fire that was first reported two weeks ago.

About twenty firefighters from Maui Fire Department and the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife, walked blackened areas searching for and snuffing out smoldering hot-spots over the weekend.

Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said firefighters and the fire department helicopter were dispatched to address numerous smoke calls on just about every day this past week, with a sizeable flare-up reported in the afternoon on Wednesday, Feb. 24, which scorched an additional 300 acres.

Fire officials say thick pasture grass is making it difficult for firefighters to completely extinguish the area. Authorities say they are uncertain how long it will be before the fire is completely extinguished.

In the meantime, regular patrols are being conducted.