Five engine companies were sent to Koko Head District Park, along with Air One and a tanker, in an effort to stamp out fires that blazed overnight. The brushfire began yesterday morning and at one point came within 25 feet of homes at the foot of the Hawai'i Kai landmark.

Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Kevin Browne said some firefighters were flown to the top of the crater this morning.

"It’s still smoking in a few spaces," Browne said today. "We just want to make sure nothing kicks up."

The cause of the blaze, which burned more than 100 acres, has not been determined, he said.

The fire was reported yesterday at 11:45 a.m. and residents and firefighters stood shoulder to shoulder to beat fight the fire that erupted in Koko Head District Park.

The fire forced the closure yesterday of Koko Head District Park where hundreds of Girl Scouts were to attend their annual cookie rally and where a church was holding its Sunday services.

Armed with garden hoses, residents along Kekupua Street sprayed each other’s roofs.

Mike Judd, on his way to go canoe paddling in Maunalua Bay, stopped to help residents spray their roofs. He went barefoot with a garden hose to douse flames in the brush that were within about 25 feet of the homes.

"I’ve never seen a fire this close in all the 10 years I’ve lived here," said resident Candy Iha. "I’ve offered my hoses up and we wet down a roof of an elderly couple. Most of these people are our neighbors helping each other out."