JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM High winds created twisters of smoke and flame during yesterday afternoon's brush fire at Makapuu near the Hawaii Kai Golf Course. About 50 acres were burned, and police shut down Kalanianaole Highway for several hours. No one was injured.

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Brush fire closes
Kalanianaole

The blaze scorches 50 acres,
starting in cliff areas in Makapuu

Gusting winds whipped up a brush fire along the coast at Makapuu yesterday afternoon, burning 50 acres and forcing police to shut down Kalanianaole Highway.

The fire was contained at 7:45 p.m. with the help of 10 Honolulu Fire Department companies and the HFD's Air One helicopter.

Three people waited at the Makapuu Lighthouse until firefighters rescued them.

The fire burned along the coast on the makai side of Kalanianaole Highway and across the Hawaii Kai Golf Course, located at 8902 Kalanianaole Highway, but away from the highway. The fire scorched areas Ewa of Makapuu Lighthouse Road, including the cliffside and the area near Queen's Beach.

The brush fire had been "burning uninhibited" in cliffside areas inaccessible by land. Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Emmit Kane said Air One scooped buckets of sea water from a large cove to help douse the fire.

The fire began about 3 p.m. About 30 golfers who were on the golf course continued play as only occasional gusts of smoke blew across the golf course, said starter Rick Abordo at the Hawaii Kai Golf Course.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Heavy winds fanned flames during yesterday's brush fire, kicking up smoke, soot and flames into sporadic cyclones.

Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said the winds generally blew the smoke away from homes and toward the ocean.

The fire did not threaten any homes or structures, fire officials said.

A thick blanket of smoke covered much of the area, extending to the Koko Marina Shopping Center and homes in Portlock.