Honolulu Fire Department investigating cause of blaze at multi-family home in Kailua

The Honolulu Fire Department is investigating the cause of a house fire in Kailua on Monday afternoon. HFD crews responded to the 911 call just after 12 p.m. for the blaze on Uluniu Street. HFD officials said nine units, with nearly 35 personnel, arrived on scene to find smoke and flames coming from a single-story, multi-family home. The fire was extinguished by 1:35 p.m. All occupants exited the building on their own. No injuries were reported. HFD is investigating the cause as well as damage estimates.
Hawaii News Now

Honolulu Fire Department official wants to add 2 helicopters, 3 pilots

The Honolulu Fire Department's aviation manager wants to beef up the department’s ability to fight fires and make rescues. Battalion Chief Robert Thurston's vision includes adding two new helicopters and three more full-time pilots. HFD is in the process of buying a modernized twin-engine helicopter, a Bell 429, to replace one of three active, single-engine helicopters that were built in the 1990s. A fourth helicopter in HFD's fleet is currently being refurbished. The fire department's current fleet consists of ND 520 NOTAR helicopters. Thurston hopes to get one more Bell 429 and permanently decommission one of the ND 520s. He says the time and costs associated with refurbishing the older helicopters would be better spent on a newer, more capable vehicle for fighting fires and making rescues.
Hawaii Public Radio

Maui lifts restrictions for 2 burn zone areas, allowing more residents to return

Maui County announced two more disaster area restrictions will be lifted for owners and residents with vehicle passes starting Monday. The restrictions will be lifted from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for zones 11C and 12B, which include the areas of Waianae Place, Luakini, and Prison St. 12B includes the area of Shaw and Wainee Streets. Residents need vehicle passes or an ID to enter.
Hawaii News Now