Maui fire strands drivers,
disrupts tourists’ itineraries

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- A brush fire caused by sparks from an electrical pole burned more than 2,000 acres on the south slope of the West Maui Mountains and left motorists stranded yesterday for more than 12 hours.

The fire was contained but threatening the forest reserve in the mountains this morning, said Assistant Fire Chief Clayton Carvalho.

Carvalho said he was to meet with state foresters this morning to assess the fire and damage.

No homes were burned and no one was hurt, but the fire did damage power lines and fencing, he said.

Carvalho said a lack of private helicopters hampered efforts to fight the blaze.

He said only one helicopter was available at a time when they could have used four or five.

Police closed the main road between central Maui and Lahaina at about 1 p.m. and reopened it at 2 a.m. today.

Assistant Police Chief Ritchie Nakashima said airlines were advised about the problem, and visitors originally booked at accommodations in west Maui stayed overnight in central and south Maui.

Some 50 visitors who were touring the island were stranded and spent the most of the night at the War Memorial Gym.

"We're disappointed. We had plans and now have to change them," said Aimee Heredia, a Los Angeles resident.

Heredia said she and a friend canceled a dive tour to Molokini Island.

A number of visitors said although they were inconvenienced, being on Maui was still better than being where they had left.

"It beats being back in the cold in Ohio," said Pauline Tomasek of Avon, Ohio.