As yet another brush fire burned in Waiawa yesterday, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann joined police and fire officials in announcing a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons believed responsible for a string of recent fires.

"We're asking the public to please step up and be our eyes and ears," Hannemann said. "There are indications that these fires have been intentionally set. This is Hawai'i, this is Honolulu, and we don't tolerate these kinds of activities."

Since early August, a dozen brush fires of suspicious origin have been reported in an area adjacent to the Ka Uka Boulevard exit of the H-2 freeway.

Scores of firefighters, police and other first responders have been called on to battle the fires, and thousands of motorists have been delayed by the repeated shutdown of the H-2 northbound lanes.

All told, the fires have blackened hundreds of acres.

Honolulu Fire Department Chief Ken Silva said at least two of the fires had "multiple points of origin," a strong indicator of arson.

Silva said there are also indications that recent brush fires in Wai'anae may have been purposely set. He did not say whether fires in the two areas are believed to be related.

Investigators are looking into one of the two Waiawa brush fires that broke out on Friday as a possible second-degree arson case, which would be punishable by up to 10 years in jail.

Police are seeking two men who were seen in an SUV in the area at the time of the fires.

Acting Honolulu Police Chief Paul Putzulu said District 3 officers have been monitoring the area as part of their regular patrol duties.

Additional resources are expected to be devoted to investigating the recent spate of fires once the Honolulu police and fire departments formally reconvene a joint arson task force.

Yesterday's fire broke out just after 11 a.m. and sent thick smoke across H-2, making driving hazardous. Some lanes of the northbound H-2 had to be closed for several hours. The fire department responded initially with five engines, three tankers and a helicopter.

Firefighters had contained the blaze and reopened all lanes shortly after 3 p.m.

The fire flared up again around 8:45 p.m., but was extinguished about an hour later, HFD Capt. Robert Main said.

At yesterday's press conference, Hannemann chastised those who may be responsible for the fires for putting police and firefighters in harm's way "with their foolish, childish behavior."