Honokohau Home Fire Causes $679,000 in Damages

Maui firefighters responded to a structure fire at Honokohau Bay in West Maui at 9:21 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2017.

Honokōhau Bay photo by Wendy Osher

A passing motorist reported the fire after they were stopped by someone saying there was a house on fire.

The motorist had to drive out towards Kapalua in order to call the fire department because the area does not have cellular phone service.

Napili firefighters were on the scene at 9:39 p.m. and found heavy smoke and flames coming from a 3,757 sq. ft., single-story residential structure on the makai side of Honoapiilani Highway, near the mouth of the Honokohau Stream.

By the time firefighters arrived, at least 50 percent of the home had already been consumed.

Crews had the fire under control by 10:10 p.m. and called it extinguished at 2:30 a.m. early Friday morning. A water tanker had to be used as a water source since the area is not served by fire hydrants.

Damages were estimated at $679,000 to the structure, which burned about 70 percent of the building. There were no damage estimates to the home’s contents since the house was empty, and it appeared to be vacant and unsecured.

The cause of the fire could not be determined.

A battalion chief, two engines and a water tanker from Napili and Lahaina responded to the blaze.