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Maui firefighters extinguished a brush fire Tuesday morning that scorched 5 acres near Hana Highway.
Motorists traveling on Hana Highway reported a fire near milepost 11 just before 5:10 p.m. Monday.
Firefighters arrived and saw that the fire charred a quarter-acre of thick vegetation and large eucalyptus trees on the hillside mauka of the highway, about a mile from Honomanu Bay, according to the Maui Fire Department.
Police closed the highway for three hours as a safety precaution as firefighters battled the blaze.
The steep terrain hampered fire crews’ efforts to reach the fire. Rainy and cloudy conditions also prevented the department from deploying its Air 1 helicopter.
Crews left the area Monday night and returned Tuesday morning, with Air 1 conducting water drops.
The brush fire was extinguished shortly before 10:40 a.m. The Fire Department said the cause was undetermined.
Big Isle man charged in theft of 4 cars
A 22-year-old Volcano man has been charged in connection with the theft of four vehicles from an auto dealership in Kona.
Austin Fernandez was charged Thursday with first-degree theft, accomplice to first-degree theft, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and violating terms of probation. His bail was set at $36,000.
On Jan. 25, police said, a 2016 Toyota Tacoma, 2014 Nissan Coupe, 2011 Acura sedan and 2013 Volkswagen sedan were stolen from the dealership on the 75-600 block of Kuakini Highway.
Police said Fernandez was observed operating the stolen Toyota.
Another man, Kahekili Krause, 18, of Mountain View has also been charged in connection with the auto thefts.
All four vehicles have since been recovered.
Police are continuing their investigation on the thefts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.
Tipsters may also call Detective Royce Serrao at 961-2272 or email royce.serrao@hawaiicounty.gov; or call police officer Donovan Kohara at 961-8222 or email donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.
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