Mamalahoa Highway remained closed Monday night as firefighters worked to get the upperhand on a 300-acre brush fire in South Kohala. The fire, reported about 4 p.m., scorched at least 300 acres mauka of mile marker 14, just south of the highway’s intersection with the new Daniel K. Inouye Highway, and remained out of control as of press time, Hawaii County Fire Department Capt. Steve Loyola said about 7:30 p.m. from the scene. At least 15 units were battling the blaze and a bulldozer was working to establish a perimeter.
Loyola said calm winds were helping keep the fire “stagnant.” No structures were threatened and no injuries had been reported as of press time.
Mamalahoa Highway, also referred to as Highway 190, remained closed as of press time, according to the Hawaii County Police Department.
The highway, the lone upper road connecting Waimea to Kona, was closed shortly after the fire was reported. Northbound traffic was detoured at Kaiminani Drive to Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Southbound traffic was detoured at Waikoloa Road to Queen Kaahumanu Highway and at the Old Saddle Road.