Honolulu firefighters battled two brushfires off Fort Barrette Road yesterday afternoon and a third off Fort Weaver Road last night.

Authorities suspect the fires were intentionally set.

The first of the three fires began about 3 p.m. at Fort Barrette near Roosevelt Avenue, said fire spokesman Capt. Emmit Kane.

The second was reported about a half-hour later a few blocks away on Fort Barrette, across the street from Kapolei High School.

About 18 fire companies — 70 firefighters — worked until 4:30 p.m. to bring those two blazes under control.

About five acres were burned at the first spot and about eight at the second.

While a couple of fire companies remained at each of those fires yesterday evening, battling hot spots, a third fire was reported off Fort Weaver Road near the Hawaii Prince Golf Club.

Firefighters brought that fire under control in less than an hour, Kane said.

BIG ISLAND

ONE KILLED, ONE HURT IN CRASH

A 45-year-old Big Island woman was killed Friday night and a 33-year-old male passenger injured when the 1984 Mitsubishi pickup truck she was driving left the highway, struck a rock wall and overturned in North Kona, Hawai'i County police said.

The pickup was traveling west up Kaiminanai Drive when it went out of control shortly before 8 p.m. near Ilimano Place, according to the Hawai'i County Fire Department.

The Kailua, Kona, woman, who was wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected from the vehicle as it rolled over, police said. Speeding and alcohol were considered factors in the accident, they said.

The woman and the passenger were taken to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 11:52 p.m. The man was treated and released.

An autopsy has been requested to determine the exact cause of death, police said.

EAST HONOLULU

SWIMMER DIES NEAR CHINA WALL

A woman apparently died yesterday while swimming at China Wall in Portlock.

Authorities said she evidently struck her head as she dove in.

She was at the popular swimming spot with family and friends, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Emmit Kane, and failed to reappear after diving into the water.

Her family called 911 about 7:45 p.m.

The fire department dispatched its helicopter, two boats, a rescue unit and two companies.

The police department also dispatched its helicopter.

The young woman was found at about 9:30 p.m. on the ocean floor about five feet below the surface.

A 45-year-old man died in the same area in April when he tried to rescue a companion who got into trouble, and a 20-year-old died there in May 2004.

WINDWARD

HIKER INJURED IN 50-FOOT FALL

A hiker who fell 50 feet in the mountains above Punalu'u yesterday sustained head and other injuries and was flown to The Queen's Medical Center.

Honolulu fire Capt. Emmit Kane said the department helicopter airlifted the man out of a wooded area.

His hiking companion reported the hiker had fallen at about 3:30 p.m.

Firefighters delivered the man to Emergency Medical Services paramedics who stabilized him and loaded him onto a military helicopter to fly him to Queen's, Kane said.