By local and wire sources Fire out in Waikoloa ADVERTISING A brush fire near Waikoloa Elementary School, which burned about 80 acres, was completely extinguished by 4:30 p.m. Sunday, said Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief Ty Medeiros. The rain and
Fire out in Waikoloa
A brush fire near Waikoloa Elementary School, which burned about 80 acres, was completely extinguished by 4:30 p.m. Sunday, said Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief Ty Medeiros.
The rain and helicopter bucket drop operations helped crews gain significant ground on the fire. Also, fire breaks from other previous fires were a key part of helping slow down the fuel supply, Medeiros said.
The fire, reported about 12:45 p.m. Saturday, scorched the area behind the elementary school spanning north behind homes along West Makuahini Street and Kekumu Place within the Waikoloa Village area.
According to the Hawaii Fire Department, an unauthorized burn may have started the fire, which is still under investigation.
The blaze did not threaten any homes, or the school, because of an existing roadway between that separated the fire from the structures. The fire also did not force road closures.
However, the Waikoloa Lions Club’s “Island Fever” car show held at the school Saturday was evacuated by police shortly after the blaze started just as a precaution. No other evacuations were ordered and no injuries were reported.
Mixed martial arts could see more regulations
HONOLULU — Mixed martial arts could be redefined as a full contact sport where the objective is to physically damage the opponent.
Hawaii lawmakers are considering the change so that other disciplines that use striking can be held to the same safety requirements as mixed martial arts.
Under the current law, there are no safety regulations for kickboxing, pankration, muay tai and extreme martial arts matches. That means contestants don’t need to submit blood work and licensed physicians, referees, judges and ambulances don’t need to be present at matches.
To protect contestants, the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs would like to see those disciplines regulated in the same way as mixed martial arts.
A state House committee will consider the change on Wednesday.
Sewage spill closes waters near Keehi Lagoon Park
HONOLULU — Officials are warning people to stay out of the water near Keehi Lagoon Park after thousands of gallons of sewage spilled into the water.
U.S. Army officials say about 15,000 gallons of wastewater went into the water from a main under the Sand Island bridge, adjacent to the Marine Education & Training Center.
Officials say the discharge, reported at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, was stopped by crews with the Army’s Directorate of Public Works a little after 12:30 p.m.
The state Department of Health has posted signs warning people to stay out of the water near the Marine Education and Training Center, the University of Hawaii Marine Center, Snug Harbor, Kapalama Basin, Mokauea Island, and the Kalihi Channel of Keehi Lagoon.
The cause of the spill is under investigation.
By local and wire sources
