A brushfire forced the closing of about eight miles of the Akoni Pule Highway in North Kohala, but did not threaten any homes, fire officials said on the Big Island.

The fire on the makai side of Highway 270 at the Lapakahi State Historical Park was reported at 6 a.m., and police closed the road between the seven-mile marker near the Kohala Estates and the 15-mile marker by Mahukona Beach Road.

Firefighters were still trying to determine what caused the fire, which burned about 150 acres. Fire crews were mopping up yesterday afternoon.

About two dozen firefighters fought the blaze, and a county bulldozer and two county helicopters were used, said acting Assistant Fire Chief Gary Sturdy.

Police opened a single lane of Akoni Pule Highway by about 10:15 a.m., and reopened the rest at about 2:45 p.m., police said.