Neighbor Island briefs

Advertiser Staff and News Services

BIG ISLAND

Kilauea lava starts wildfire

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park firefighters battled a 900-acre wildfire yesterday caused by a lava flow.

Lava from Kilauea's east rift torched swordferns at 2,100-foot elevation on Pulama Pali, park officials said.

The wildfire was brought under control by 30 park firefighters, some of whom were airlifted in and were equipped with chain saws, as well as by three helicopters that dropped water. A gentle rain also fell throughout the day.

The fire did not threaten residences or any endangered species, officials said, and Chain of Craters Road remained open to visitors.

No one was injured, despite such hazards as deep earth cracks hidden by old vegetation and snags of large 'ohia trees that had been toppled by wind.

ALL ISLANDS

Walk raises $780,000

The Visitor Industry Charity Walk raised more than $780,000 yesterday.

The annual charity walk, which has been held for the past 24 years and is the state's largest, single-day charity event, is sponsored by the Hawai'i Hotel Association.

More than 11,100 walkers on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island participated. The proceeds are donated to Hawai'i's charities.

The chairman was Ted McAneeley, general manager for the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and Golf Club.

On O'ahu, walkers started at Ala Moana Beach Park's McCoy Pavilion at 6 a.m. and walked through Waikiki and Kapi'olani Park before turning back toward the Ala Wai and returning to Ala Moana Park. The walkers stopped at 18 checkpoints along the seven-mile route for food and entertainment.