Posted on: Wednesday, October 8, 2003

Sugar firm hit again with fire

Advertiser Staff

PU'UNENE, Maui — Three more suspicious cane fires hit Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. Monday night, but fire crews were able to put them out before any caused widespread damage.

The fires, along Keahua Junction Road between Haleakala Highway and Pulehu Road, broke out after 6:20 p.m. and were under control by 7:05 p.m., said Assistant Fire Chief Alan Cordeiro.

The largest of the blazes was 300 feet by 150 feet, Cordeiro said.

A series of suspicious fires has plagued Hawai'i's largest sugar producer in recent months. The Maui Police Department has established a task force to investigate the fires, and the company has hired its own investigative firm.