Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Emmit Kane said the fire sparked above Haleakala Avenue and Mokiawe Street, mauka of Farrington Highway about 12:30 p.m. and spread quickly.

He said a fire department helicopter was on the scene and companies were responding from as far away as Manoa.

The blaze was visible from three nearby schools: Nanakuli Elementary, Nanakuli Intermediate and High and Nanaikapono Elementary.

Nanakuli Elementary School principal Wendy Takahashi said she and her students could see smoke and flames from their classrooms. They are watching the fire and working to keep students calm who are nervous to see the flames licking closer to their homes.

"It's pretty close to the buildings," Takahashi said. "Some of our students are upset because they live on that street." She said a counselor was talking with those who live in the area closest to the fire and she and other school officials are keeping an eye on students with asthma.

In his initial report, Kane said no homes were in immediate danger.

Takahashi said the school wasn't directly affected by the fire. "The wind is blowing mauka so it isn't coming toward us. We're just hoping it won't change," she said.

Takahashi said some students with asthma were affected by a smaller brush fire yesterday near the school.

With the dry summer season beginning, Takahashi will be more conscious than ever about the dangers and nuisance of nearby brush fires.

"It's a perennial event, unfortunately," she said.