Firefighters
save homes from
Molokai brushfireThe blaze comes to within 200 feet
By Craig Gima
of Molokai General Hospital
Star-BulletinKAUNAKAKAI, Molokai -- Smoke and the smell of fire still hung in the air this morning, but the tension and threat of destruction were gone. After battling a 10,000-acre brush that surrounded the town, firefighters brought some of their engines back to the station today.
Although a few spots were still burning, Maui Fire Chief Ron Davis was hopeful that the the fire would be contained.
Last night, the firefighters were determined to hold the line at a dirt fire break just cut that afternoon. If they failed, the fire would rush across dry grass into several homes at Kalamaula.
"Let's get some water now," a firefighter yelled. "Bring that hose over here."
As the fire approached, the air became thick with black smoke, flying orange embers, and white ash. The smoke, heat and flames surrounded the firefighters until they could no longer be seen.
When the smoke cleared, the fire line had held. The battle between fire and firefighter was one of many on Molokai yesterday and last night.
The community was grateful that no homes were lost. A sign thanking the firefighters and volunteers hung in front of the Molokai Family Support Services offices today, and residents brought refreshments to the fire station.
"Things died down last night. So much has been burnt that there's not much left to burn," said Fire Engineer Steve Eminger.
By this afternoon, four National Guard helicopters were expected to assist at least three civilian helicopters in battling the blaze.
Molokai firefighters got some relief from 23 firefighters sent in from Maui.
The Maui firefighters were sent home this morning after giving their compatriots some much needed rest.
Today, the fire engine crews planned to mop up and be ready to battle hot spots if the winds pick up.
Since the blaze began Sunday afternoon, it threatened hundreds of homes around Kaunakakai.
As the wind shifted, the fire spread in several directions from Kawela on the east, the Molokai Forest Reserve on the north, Kamehameha and Maunaloa Highways on the south and west up to Manuwainui Forest Road.
"It makes it harder to fight, especially if the every fire front threatens homes because you gotta spread out your resources," said Davis. "It was kind of fortunate because all the fronts didn't threaten homes at the same time."
In addition to Kalamaula where there are about 40 homes, firefighters also fought back the fire and protected about 32 homes at Puuhaole, about 100 homes at Ranch Camp, more than 100 homes at Kamiloloa Heights, a 50-unit apartment complex at Kamiloloa near the Hotel Molokai, about 20 homes at Pano Place, another 20 homes in between various subdivisions and homes in Kaunakakai itself, where the fire burned to within 200 feet of Molokai General Hospital.
Hospital Administrator Calvin Ichinose said there were 19 patients in the hospital at the time. Most were elderly or disabled long-term care patients. Only one patient was under acute care.
Ichinose said as the fire approached, patients with respiratory problems aggravated by the smoke were treated in the emergency room. There were no other injuries reported from the fire.
He said the hospital's air conditioning system is self contained and the smoke did not present a problem for patients.
"The patients were never in any danger," he said. But the hospital was under an evacuation alert from about 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
During that time, volunteers and family members played games and watched television with the patients to keep them occupied and lessen the anxiety.
Volunteers also helped fight the fire.
Civilians pulled hoses, manned fire hydrants, donated food, and offered visiting firefighters places to sleep.
In Kalamaula, Walter Meyer said he helped firefighters protect a home and apartment complex at Kamiloloa and then came to help as the fire neared a friend's house.
The family of 84-year-old Mary Tengan wet down her lawn as the fire approached the homestead she said she's lived in for decades.
Her nephew Billy Johnston said he would spend the night to help protect her home.
"In a couple of cases, we ordered evacuations but nobody would leave. They all stayed to fight the fires," Chief Davis said.
"They're all one big ohana over here," he added.
Shortly after making a stand at Kalamaula, Fire Capt. Jules Dudoit and his men from Maui County Engine 4 watched as the fire approached Clayton De Coite's home and hauling business. Flames as high as 30 feet approached.
The men put on breathing apparatus and with the help of volunteers ran hoses into position.
The area where the fire is burning does not usually get much rain, but it is especially dry this year, said National Weather Service Meteorologist Tom Heffner.
"The nearest rain gauge at Kaunakakai read at only .09 inches in July. Normal rainfall is .2 inches," he said. "It's about 45 percent of normal."
Shifting winds led to one battle after another for the firefighters.
There were heroic efforts along the Maunaloa Highway as firefighters protected the Seventh-day Adventist Church and fought to keep the fire from spreading west of the highway.
Fire Chief Davis was proud of the efforts. "For the amount of acres and how close the fires came to the structures, we didn't lose a single structure," he said. "That tells a lot about the grit of the firefighters. They just stayed and ate smoke."
