This video sent in by William Bacarro shows how close the brush fire is near Ka Makana Ali'i.
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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM
A brush fire in the vicinity of Kapolei and Kualakai parkways Tuesday came close to the Ka Makana Ali‘i mall, in Kapolei, with more than 125 retailers and eateries.
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COURTESY WILLIAM BACARRO
A brush fire burned this afternoon in Kapolei, forcing the closure of Kapolei Parkway.
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COURTESY WILLIAM BACARRO
The mall was evacuated due to compromised air quality. HFD firefighters worked to douse hot spots in the charred area near patches of dry brush east of the mall.
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Firefighters contained a brush fire Tuesday night that burned 9 acres in the vicinity of Ka Makana Ali‘i, an outdoor mall in Kapolei, a Fire Department spokesman said.
“We don’t know how the fire was started,” fire Capt. Kevin Mokulehua said.
Firefighters had the blaze contained at 8:25 p.m.
The mall was evacuated Tuesday afternoon due to compromised air quality from the fire.
The mall, including its theaters, temporarily closed at 4:20 p.m. on the advice of the Fire and Police departments, a spokeswoman said. A handful of businesses reopened later in the evening.
The fire broke out on the Diamond Head side of the mall at 91-5431 Kapolei Parkway in Kapolei.
A total of 16 units and
47 firefighters responded shortly after 3 p.m., according to Mokulehua. Besides the mall, there is a railway base yard nearby and other structures.
Kapolei Parkway was closed in both directions Tuesday afternoon from Kualakai Parkway to Renton Road, according to city officials. The road reopened after 8 p.m. HFD requested that mall security evacuate vehicles parked on the Diamond Head side of the mall.
Numerous social media posts feature video of thick, black smoke filling the air.
Olino Theatres tweeted Tuesday afternoon, “For the safety of our guests, we have evacuated and closed Olino Theatres due to this large brush fire near Ka Makana Ali’i.”