LAHAINA, Maui — A brushfire yesterday disrupted phone service to an estimated 500 customers in Ka'anapali and Honokowai.

Two phone cables were damaged by the fire, which started about 11:15 a.m. near the Lahaina Civic Center, county officials said. The fire burned about 50 acres before being brought under control.

The blaze caused the temporary closure of Honoapi'ilani Highway, Hanaka'o'o Beach Park and the Ka'anapali Golf Course.

The fire spread from the civic center mauka to the cane-haul road below corn fields in the area. One utility pole also was damaged by the fire but electrical service was not affected.

YOUTHS HIT BY CARS REPORTEDLY STABLE

Two youths were hurt in separate pedestrian traffic accidents yesterday afternoon, a city spokesman said. Both were reported in stable condition.

In the first accident, a 12-year-old boy was hit by a car at the intersection of Ho'olaule'a Street and Ho'olawa Place in Pearl City, said Bryan Cheplic, spokesman for the city Emergency Services department. He was taken to The Queen's Medical Center following the accident, which occurred about 2:37 p.m., he said.

About a half-hour later, a 15-year-old girl was struck by a car as she crossed the street near 6th and Wai'alae avenues in Kaimuki, Cheplic said. She, too, was taken to Queen's.

Details of the accident were not immediately available, police said.

MAN CHARGED IN SEXUAL ASSAULT

A Korean national was arrested and charged yesterday with kidnapping and sexual assault in connection with two abductions in Waikiki last month.

Yoon Sung Hwang, 39, was charged with three counts of third-degree sexual assault and felony kidnapping.

He is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail at the O'ahu Community Correctional Center. Police allege that on Sept. 9 Hwang kidnapped a 14-year-old girl, fondled her against her will and released her.

On Sept. 20, Hwang allegedly grabbed a 40-year-old woman and fondled her before releasing her.

LEEWARD WATER MAIN WORK DONE

Water service for Leeward residents is expected to be back to normal today following repairs to a 24-inch water main on Farrington Highway.

Crews completed repairs on the pipe yesterday morning and started moving water through the system to refill area reservoirs, according to the Board of Water Supply.

However, Leeward-area residents were asked to continue conserving water for another 24 hours so that the system could be fully recharged. People was asked to use water only for priority needs such as cooking, drinking and personal hygiene, a Board of Water Supply spokesman said.

ROCK FORMATION CLEANERS SOUGHT

Volunteers are needed to help clean up a sacred rock formation on Kapa'a Quarry Road today.

The service project will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the area known as Na Pohaku O Hauwahine. It's on Kapa'a Quarry Road, about a mile from the road's intersection with Kalaniana'ole Highway, just before the entrance to the Kapa'a Landfill Transfer Station.

Volunteers are needed to weed around the native plants, haul mulch, cut hau and work in the wetland bird habitat. Wear covered shoes and bring gloves, tools, water and snacks.

Call Kaimi Scudder at 593-0112.