Newswatch
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHONOLULU
Fireworks ignite at least 25 brush fires on Oahu
Oahu fire crews responded to about 34 brush fires yesterday, at least 25 of which were fireworks-related.All of the flare-ups were minor, and most required no more than one fire engine, said Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada. No injuries were reported last night.
One of the day's first brush fires started in Makakilo at about 11:42 a.m. Five minutes later, another brush fire flared up in Waipahu near Aniani Place.
Most of the brush fires were on the Leeward side, Tejada said. Fire calls also came from Kaneohe and Kalihi, he said.
Last Independence Day, fire officials responded to 30 brush fires on Oahu. While the causes were not determined, at least half were believed to be fireworks-related.
On Maui yesterday, residents had only on-island phone service after a brush fire damaged a Verizon Hawaii cable. It was unclear last night whether the fire was related to fireworks.
Verizon spokeswoman Ann Nishida said the outage occurred at about 5:30 p.m. Residents in Kihei were able to call to Oahu but not to other Maui residents. Those in other parts of the island could not make calls off Maui.
Nishida said all of Maui customers were affected. Service was expected to be restored by midnight. Emergency services were not affected.
One of two brush fires on the Big Island yesterday was suspected of involving firecrackers, Assistant Chief Felix Asia said.
The fire burned a quarter of an acre in Paauilo around 11:31 a.m. and was extinguished by firefighters 15 minutes later.
Within two hours another brush fire flared up in North Kohala near Puakea Bay. Capt. Ralph Yawata, of the North Kohala Fire Station, said the fire burned a half-acre of brush sometime around 1:30 p.m. and was extinguished about 5 p.m.
The cause of the fire was unknown, Yawata said. No homes were in danger in either fire, officials said.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Fuel pump catches fire on Hilo's Kuhio Wharf
A pump unloading naphtha fuel at the Hilo pier caught fire early yesterday, fire officials said.Crew members heard a loud bang and saw flames erupt from a pump being used by a barge to unload at Pier 3 on Kuhio Wharf, Assistant Chief Felix Asia said. The barge's engineer shut off the pump.
Firefighters were called at 1:25 a.m. and extinguished the flames at 2:10 a.m. There were no injuries. Damage estimates were not available.
Brush fire prompts evacuation on Big Isle
Residents were evacuated from their homes Saturday after a brush fire in Wailea on the Big Island.Thirteen units, including two helicopters and three tankers, responded to the blaze at 2:25 a.m. Firefighters extinguished the blaze at 3 p.m.
Residents were evacuated to Waikoloa Elementary School as the fire was being controlled. The fire started at Puako Road and headed makai as winds gusted up to 25 mph. The cause of the fire was unknown.
NORTH SHORE
Man seriously injured as 2 watercraft collide
A 31-year-old jet-skier was flown by helicopter to the Queen's Medical Center in serious condition yesterday after he collided with the driver of another jet ski outside of Haleiwa Boat Harbor.Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada said the first driver hit the second jet-skier, who was carrying another person, at about 4 p.m.
Jason Kaneshiro, district chief of the Emergency Medical Services, said the others involved left the scene or refused treatment.
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