CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Two firefighters watched yesterday as part of the Waianae brush fire burned itself out before reaching a fence. .

Waianae charter school
escapes huge brush fire

Evacuation was being considered
when the wind changed course

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

Principal Alvin Parker feared for the safety of more than 100 children at the Leeward District's only charter school after smoke from a huge brush fire blanketed Waianae Valley yesterday morning.

"We were considering evacuation. ... The wind was beginning to blow toward us," said Parker of Ka Waihona O Ka Na'auao Charter School at 85-4229 Waianae Valley Road.

As the wind blew away from the school, Parker decided to keep classes in session for 120 children in grades K-3.

Parker said the children were not alarmed by the smoke from the fire that scorched between 1,500 and 1,700 acres.

"It didn't seem to faze them," said Parker, adding that the students were more excited about attending the newly built school, which opened its doors for the first time yesterday.

Some 22 city and federal fire units responded to yesterday's fire, which was the largest summer brush fire in Waianae Valley within the last five years, said Capt. Richard Soo, spokesman for the Honolulu Fire Department.

Fire officials plan to keep watch over the area today to prevent flare-ups. Helicopters were dispatched for aerial surveys this morning.

Soo said the fire was contained at 6:58 p.m. The cause of yesterday's fire and a smaller one Wednesday night appear to be suspicious, he said. The flames approached some farm lots and about 20 homes; however, there were no evacuations.

Four helicopters, including two UH-60 Black Hawks from the Aviation Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, assisted firefighters with rounds of water drops.

Two members of the state Forestry Division also assisted, as they were concerned with native plants near Mount Kaala.

The first brush fire that started around 8:20 p.m. Wednesday near the Nanakuli side of the valley was contained about 2:20 a.m. yesterday. That fire destroyed about 10 to 20 acres of brush, Soo said. Within five hours, about 70 firefighters responded to the second brush fire that started near Angel's Junkyard along Waianae Valley Road.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Firefighter Ernest Kaneshiro got his blood pressure checked by Neal Detweiler on a break from battling the Waianae blaze.

Groups of firefighters alternated cooling themselves off with ice towels at Kaupini Neighborhood Park after several hours on the fire line. Members of the American Red Cross Disaster Services supplied firefighters with bottled water, snacks and plate lunches.

"It got pretty hairy at times," firefighter Ramon Romero of the Kapolei Fire Station said.

"It can be pretty hot and suffocating. Next thing you know, you're eating smoke," he said.

Firefighters covered their noses and mouths with special hoods to filter out the smoke, Romero said.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM Lenor Sanchez was weeding on a farm off Waianae Valley Road yesterday when fire brought a halt to her work. A firefighting helicopter whirring overhead dropped water.

Rehabilitation officers from the fire department's medical assessment team monitored the firefighters' blood pressure and other vital signs because they had worked extended hours, Soo said.

It was the first time the medical team had been used, allowing the city to keep its ambulances available for the public, Soo added.

No firefighters required additional medical attention, Soo said.

Alice Ioane, who has lived in Waianae Valley for 15 years, said the mountains in the valley were covered with smoke.

"It (the fire) spread so fast because of the winds," she said. "I'm glad everything, this time, is in full force."