Fires mar New Year's festivities
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Honolulu firefighters greeted the new year with hoses in hand and red lights flashing, responding to more fireworks-related alarms and medical emergencies than a year ago.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
But there were no serious injuries reported and only two major structure fires — a home in Kahala and one in Maunawili, said Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada.
From left: Anela Hudson, 5, Hainalani Brown Kapi'ioho'okalani, 9, Euliana Hudson, 8, and Anuhea Papaia Hoopii, 12, clean up fireworks debris at the intersection of Kapahu and Ainaniku streets in the Kewalo Hawaiian Homestead after a night of New Year's celebrations.
Many of the 176 alarms during New Year's Eve involved fireworks.
Of the 78 fire calls, 50 were fireworks-related, Tejada said. And of the 62 medical calls, 18 were fireworks-related, accordint to Tejada. Firefighters also responded to 36 miscellaneous calls.
Last Dec. 31, firefighters responded to 145 alarms.
The first 6 1/2 hours of 2003 was also a busy time. Firefighters responded to 42 fires, half of which involved fireworks problems.
"It was busy," Tejada said with a sigh.
The department had not studied the calls to determine the cause of the 21 percent increase, Tejada said. It also did not have a damage estimate.
"The numbers went up slightly, but a lot of it was fairly small stuff," Tejada said. "They were pretty well spaced out all over the whole island."
There were four New Year's Eve building fires, including three that were fireworks-related.
But officials believe a mid-day house fire Tuesday at 4562 Kahala Ave. was caused by an electrical malfunction in the dining room. The two-alarm fire was under control by 12:30 p.m.
The Red Cross helped a family of three find temporary lodging, as well as food and clothes. Damage was estimated at $175,000 to the home and $35,000 to its contents.
The Maunawili blaze on Aloha 'Oe Drive also was a two-alarm fire. No one was home when that fire struck, Tejada said. The homeowner was away on the Mainland. Damage was estimated at $250,000 to the home and $50,000 to contents.
Firefighters have not determined whether fireworks were involved.
