A firefighter puts out the last smoldering remains of a fire that gutted Ahi's Restaurant. Photo by Barry Markowitz, special to the Star-Bulletin

Fire swept through Ahi's Restaurant in Kahuku yesterday evening, destroying the Kamehameha Highway landmark.

No one was injured in the 5:30 p.m. blaze.

Neighbors and restaurant owner Ahi Logan, who was do

ing yardwork outside the establishment when the fire erupted, reportedly tried to extinguish the flames with garden hoses. The restaurant was closed on Mondays.

It took firefighters about 10 minutes to bring the wind-whipped blaze under control, said a Fire Department spokesman.

"It was quite a popular location for locals and visitors for shrimp and steaks," said Kahuku fire Capt. Larry Nihipali. "It will be missed."

Star-Bulletin restaurant critic Nadine Kam wrote in 1994 that the homey little establishment is basically a family restaurant but has a reputation for "providing an isle gourmet experience."

"It was a good local restaurant with a good local meal," said Daniel Kahawaii Jr., who lives nearby.

Fire officials estimated the damage at between $250,000 and $300,000. Cause of the blaze is under investigation.