Firefighters were busy on the Fourth of July as they battled brushfires around the O'ahu, including a fireworks-related blaze that scorched three acres near the top of Makakilo and reached the edge of about five homes.

Firefighters battled 52 brushfires across O'ahu through the day and into the night, according to Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada. At least 19 were related to fireworks, he said.

Honolulu firefighters battled 101 brushfires last July 4, 80 percent of which were thought to be fireworks-related.

"It looks better (than last year) at this point, but we're still worried," Tejada said last night. "At the pace that we're going, I don't think we're actually going to reach a hundred."

The biggest of yesterday's O'ahu fires occurred at the very end of Hunekai Street near the top of Makakilo, Tejada said.

Five engines and two tankers fought the 8:20 p.m. blaze, which was declared under control about 35 minutes later, he said.

Witnesses told fire officials they either saw or heard fireworks going off in the vicinity of the fire, Tejada said.

Numerous brushfires along the Wai'anae Coast, Central O'ahu and elsewhere last year led to a renewed call for a ban on fireworks by Honolulu Fire Chief Kenneth Silva. Those calls went unanswered at this year's Legislature.

Silva said Independence Day fireworks are particularly dangerous because of the combined effects of dry summer weather and more youths being off from school.

Outside O'ahu, two brushfires in the Kahului area yesterday are believed to have been fireworks-related, according to the Maui Fire Department.

About five acres next to the the Maui Lani Golf Course were scorched in a 12:26 p.m. blaze, said Battalion Chief David Kamalani. The burned area was between the golf course and the back of a nearby subdivision, he said.

Fire also burned 1 1/2 to 2 acres of brush in the Kanaha Pond Wildlife Sanctuary near Kahului Airport at about 3:34 p.m., Kamalani said. State forestry workers took over extinguishing the fire from Maui firefighters, he said. The area is a nesting site and preserve for migratory and endangered birds. It is not believed any birds were injured.

Kamalani said it appeared both fires were sparked by fireworks.

There were no major fires reported on the Big Island or Kaua'i as of late last night.

Tens of thousands of Hawai'i residents spent the evening watching fireworks shows across the state.

The largest display took place just off of Ala Moana Beach Park's Magic Island. Hundreds pitched camps the previous night to get choice spots to view the display.

Police were on hand at the park to crack down on illegal fireworks and drinking.

Others flocked to see fireworks at Kailua Bay, Schofield Barracks, Pearl Harbor, Hickam Air Force Base and Marine Corps Base Hawai'i.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.