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A brush fire fanned by 30 mph wind scorched 1,500 acres on Hawaii island, closed roads and forced evacuations over the weekend.
Hawaii County firefighters and 22 firefighters from the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife were battling the fast-moving blaze above Kawaihae on Sunday with help from volunteers and crews from the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area.
State crews were fighting the flanks of the blaze above Kawaihae Small Boat Harbor and the adjacent industrial area, the state said by email.
The fire closed Kawaihae Road and Queen Kaahumanu Highway on Saturday and forced evacuations from Kawaihae Village, South Kohala and The Bluffs at Mauna Kea Resort. Spencer Beach Park also was closed.
Several evacuation centers were opened.
Residents of Kawaihae Village were allowed to return home Sunday but were told to expect smoky conditions, Hawaii County Civil Defense said. The roads reopened Sunday.
Water cut off to South Maui
An 18-inch water main break in Kihei cut off water to much of South Maui on Sunday.
County officials said crews were working to repair the break as quickly as possible, but couldn’t say how long that would take.
Water tanks were placed on Kaiwahine Street and Kenolio Road, the county said.
The water department was asking all South Maui residents and businesses to conserve water and to avoid any unnecessary use.