Posted at 5:35 p.m., Thursday, September 27, 2001

Waipi'o brush fire closes part of Kamehameha Highway

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

A brush fire in Waipi'o forced the closure of a stretch of Kamehameha Highway and knocked out electricity this afternoon, but caused no property damage.

The fire at 94-535 Kamehameha Highway was reported at 3:45 p.m. just off of Ukee Street. Fire spokesman Capt. Richard Soo said the fire was near the Hawai'i Okinawa Center, but did not threaten the building.

Police closed a stretch of Kamehameha Highway between Ka Uka Boulevard and Lanikuhana Avenue.

The blaze was brought under control at about 4:30 and the highway was reopen about a half-hour later.

Fire officials reported that several electric lines were threatened by the flames and they asked Hawaiian Electric Co. to shut off the electricity. HECO spokesman Fred Kobashikawa said power to about 1,500 customers was turned off at 4:23 and restored to all but 10 customers at 4:45.

Kobashikawa said one pole was damaged by the fire and will have to be replaced.