Five brush fires burned an estimated 1,500 acres along Piilani Highway in Kahikinui, near Kaupo, Maui, on Monday.
The fires were reported at about 5:40 p.m. in the area of mile post 25.
According to fire officials, most of the blaze was inaccessible for firetrucks, so a helicopter conducted water drops until operations were suspended due to darkness.
Fire and police personnel evacuated homes in the Ka- hikinui Homesteads area downwind of the fire.
As of 7:30 p.m. Monday the fire was spread out over a 2-mile area on the mauka and makai sides of the highway.
Piilani Highway has been closed to all traffic between mile posts 24 and 27.5.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
Man pulled from water is critically injured
A 19-year-old man was in critical condition Monday afternoon after he was pulled from waters off Ke Iki Beach in Pupukea.
Responding to a 3:30 p.m. emergency call, the nearest Ocean Safety personnel used an all-terrain vehicle to travel the half-mile to where the man was located. They brought the unresponsive man back to shore and started lifesaving measures.
Arriving paramedics took over treatment and were able to generate a pulse.
The man was transported in critical condition to a hospital.
Suspect being sought after shots are fired
Police were looking for a man who fired a firearm in the Ala Moana area Sunday night.
The unknown man fired the weapon in the direction of people and vehicles at about 7:45 p.m., police said.
Police opened a first-degree reckless endangering and a first-degree criminal property damage case.
Girl taken to hospital after near drowning
A 13-year-old girl was taken to a hospital Monday after she ran into trouble in the water at Maili Beach Park.
Paramedics treated her and took her in serious condition to a hospital at about 1:20 p.m., an Emergency Medical Serv -ices report said.
The girl was submersed in the water and nearly drowned, the report said.
