Maui Fire and Rescue Respond to 35 Alarms on 4th of July

Fireworks. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety responded to a total of 35 alarms on the 4th of July, four of which were fireworks related, officials said.

The incidents included a brush fire in the Paukūkalo Hawaiian Homes subdivision; and three trash can fires, all of which contained visible firework remnants and debris, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

According to Mainaga, residents near the Kuhio Place brush fire in Paukūkalo confirmed that kids were playing with fireworks at the time.

The incident was reported at 12:41 p.m. and resulted in a burn area of 7,500 square feet, authorities said.

Two of the trash can fires were reported at the Honolua Bay lookout at separate times (at 3:15 p.m. and 9:28 p.m.); with the other incident reported at 11:48 p.m. at the Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina.

According to FS Chief Mainaga, there were three fires reported in which there was no evidence of fireworks.  The incidents included the following:

• 8:27 p.m.: Pukalani Community Center, rubbish bin fire in the parking lot.
• 9:08 p.m.: Mahi Ko Street, grass fire burned a 10-foot by 10-foot area.
• Midnight: Wainiu Place and Waiʻale Road, brush fire burned an area approximately 7,500 square feet.

There was also an unauthorized burn, reported at 10:57 p.m. at the beach fronting an address along Halama Street in the Kīhei area of South Maui.

Crews from the department were also called to respond to two rescues, three vehicle accidents, and a series of medical calls.

The rescues involved two hunters from the same group who were airlifted from the Makawao Forest Reserve in separate search and rescue missions.  The initial response was made at 1:15 p.m.

Vehicle accidents that required department response included the following:

• 10:42 p.m.: Intersection of Waiehu Beach Road and ʻEha Street in Wailuku. Two patients were transported by medic crews from American Medical Response to the hospital in serious condition, fire officials said.
• 9:48 p.m.: Intersection of Kaʻakolu Street and Kalena Street in Lahaina.
• 11:17 p.m.: Intersection of Akahele Street and Lower Honoapiʻilani Road in West Maui. According to fire officials, this was a single-car crash in which the driver reportedly fled.