MAALAEA — A brushfire that burned an estimated 80 acres and destroyed a house was completely contained shortly before 5:30 this morning, Maui County officials said.

The fire was reported at 2:15 p.m. yesterday on the mauka side of Honoapiilani Highway in Maalaea.
High wind conditions, with gusts reportedly around 45 mph, caused the fire to cross the two-lane highway to the makai side of the highway and reach several homes located on Maalaea Road.
One home engulfed in flames was destroyed. A second home was partially burned. Damage estimates are expected later today by fire inspection personnel.
Three homes were occupied at the time and residents were evacuated. Occupants of two other homes in the small neighborhood were not home at the time.
Firefighters worked to keep the blaze from advancing further into the neighborhood while battling it on both mauka and makai sides of the highway.
Thirty-five firefighters were dispatched, and two helicopters conducted water drops.
Water tankers and heavy equipment support were provided by Goodfellow Brothers and the county’s Department of Public Works.
Crews worked through the night to maintain the perimeter and extinguish hot spots. Just over a dozen firefighters remain on the scene this morning.
Honoapiilani Highway was closed by police at 2:30 p.m. from the Kihei junction to milepost 11 near Ukumehame in West Maui. Motorists were not allowed to travel the highway over the pali into or out of West Maui.
Traffic through Kahakuloa from Kaanapali was permitted in the evening. Vehicle traffic from the Waihee side of Kahakuloa was restricted to residents of the Kahakuloa area only.
One lane of Honoapiilani Highway was opened at 9:45 p.m. and police began alternating traffic into and out of West Maui. Maui police opened both lanes to vehicle traffic at 11:25 p.m.
When deemed safe for access, Hawaiian Telcom work crews stabilized fiber optic lines that were in jeopardy because of the fire and debris caused by fallen and burnt trees. The affected lines provide service to West Maui.
Yesterday afternoon, an employee of First Wind Co.’s Kaheawa Wind Farm, located above the fire incident, was unable to leave the worksite as the fire cut off access to an exit road. Fire department personnel transported the individual to safety.
No injuries are reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.