FIRST PHOTO: A firefighter hoses down flames in a Kihei field between Hope Chapel and Lokelani Intermediate School along Piilani Highway on Wednesday afternoon. The brush fire was reported at 3:05 p.m. and burned 7 acres before it was declared under control shortly before 4 p.m., said county spokeswoman Mahina Martin. Though it was brought under control in about an hour, the fire still tied up afternoon traffic.
SECOND PHOTO: Kihei Charter School students Joe Mannoia, 13, (left) and Corey Harrison, 13, take in the scene by Lokelani Intermediate School. While Kihei and Wailea firefighters battled the blaze, Piilani Highway was closed between Lipoa Street and Kanani Road. Welakahao Road also was shut down and remained closed longer while firefighters mopped up after the fire, Martin said. A small flare-up of the fire closed a portion of the highway from 6:40 to 6:50 p.m., but firefighters were able to quickly put it out. No injuries were reported, and the fire's cause was unknown.
