CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Ramir Belmes checked his watch yesterday as he and his peers from Damien Memorial School waited in line for their graduation ceremony to begin at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Seventy-two* students graduated with this class. Also holding graduation ceremonies yesterday: Kamehameha Schools with 438 graduates, Ke Ana La'ahana with 12, and St. Joseph School with 34.

RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Firefighter Cameron Krider of Mililani's Engine 36 hosed down a hot spot from a brush fire behind Central Oahu Regional Park yesterday afternoon. A brush fire in Waikele prompted several residents to leave their homes yesterday as smoke blackened the sky. The fire burned 15 to 17 acres of brush between Oahu Regional Park and Waikele subdivisions. Firefighters protected the homes most threatened by the fire and did not evacuate any residents, said Capt. Richard Main. About 50 to 60 personnel from 12 companies, including a fire helicopter and two federal companies, responded to the call at 3:09 p.m. No injuries were reported. Firefighters had the fire under control by 5:15 p.m. The only damage was about $500 to a vacant house. Main said the cause of the fire was still under investigation.