Kauai crews battle brushfire overnight, close calls amidst efforts

KAUAI, Hawaii (KHON2) — It was a busy Monday for emergency personnel on Kauai as crews worked through the night to prevent a brushfire from tearing through Kaumakani.

Only one shed was burned, there were no injuries, but it was a mighty close call for some residents.

The fire quickly soared Monday afternoon from Hanapepe to Kaumakani. The West Kauai Methodist Church stands just 100 feet away from scorched earth.

A church personnel told KHON2 about the time they were watching helicopters battle the encroaching flames.

“…we could see three helicopters from the distance dropping water off and so you wonder about the safety of people, you wonder about the buildings, all these thoughts go through your head.” Glenda Miyazaki, council chairperson of the West Kauai Methodist Church said.

KIUC says about 1,100 residents in areas of West Kauai were without electricity until 3 a.m. Tuesday, after power lines were de-energized the afternoon before four poles were damaged by the blaze, needing repair and replacement on Tuesday.

“The poles obviously were compromised, and so those poles I think were very close to coming actually down on the ground, so live wires, you don’t want those to help hit the ground because then they can spark, and they can create more ignition and create more fires, so we want to avoid that at all costs.” Beth Amaro, KIUC member services and communications manager said.

County officials are still monitoring hotspots and responding to signs of flare ups of the 1,100-acre fire.

One Kaumakani resident showed KHON2, how the flames got within about 50 feet of his home.

“Look, look at the ember and the tree fall down, you know, if they came closer the houses would’ve burned, but firefighters did a very good job,” Mel Lastimosa, Kaumakani resident said. “They’re number one, man, numero uno … They get them.”

Kauai fire officials are still investigating the cause, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said that wildfires are generally man-made. KHON2 asked him if that is what they suspect to be the case this time around.

“We don’t know, I will let fire do their investigation, but I can tell you a majority of them are sourced by humans. I mean, we rarely have a lightning strike that can create that kind of fire.” Mayor Kawakami said.

County and state officials responded to a brushfire in Kapaa on Tuesday. Authorities were able to contain the fire but say Kapaa Bypass road is closed between the North and South entrances on Kuhio Highway.