Damage from 2-alarm blaze in Nanakuli estimated at $390,000

The Honolulu Fire Department is investigating a two-alarm blaze in Nanakuli on Thursday morning. Firefighters responded just after 9 a.m. to Paakea Road and Hakimo Road. According to fire officials on scene, the blaze appeared to have started in a barn, then spread to a Quonset hut. Officials added the fire spread to electrical wires above, which sparked a small brush fire nearby. A large shed also collapsed. Neighbors were able to contain the fire until HFD arrived. HFD was able to extinguish the fire by 11:30 a.m. Five residents managed to escape safely. No injuries were reported. Officials said the estimated damage from the fire is $243,000 for the Quonset and contents inside. An additional $149,000 was estimated for damage to the large shed.
KHNL/KGMB-TV Hawaii News Now

Helping Molokai Get Firewise

As one of 15 communities across the State of Hawaii to be recognized as a certified NFPA Fire-wise USA Community, Paniolo Hale is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and State Farm ® in helping communities take steps toward safety with the national Wildfire Community Preparedness Day event on Saturday, May 1. Preparedness Day encourages people and organizations to come together on a single day to take action to raise awareness and reduce wildfire risks. Individual and community actions remain a key component to reducing wildfire risk around homes and neighborhoods. In an effort to mitigate fire fuels for Molokai, the Division Manager of the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division has helped Paniolo Hale to compile a list of items that the Molokai landfill will accept.
Molokai Dispatch

Commissioners redo fire chief vote: Kazuo Todd again selected to lead Hawaii Fire Department

The Hawaii County Fire Commission Wednesday set aside its March 10 selection of the Big Island’s next fire chief, opting to redo the vote in open session after questions were raised about how the vote was initially cast. The Fire Commission last month selected Battalion Chief Kazuo Todd as the new fire chief to replace Darren Rosario, ratifying in open session a vote made behind closed doors. Rosario retired Nov. 1, when Deputy Fire Chief Robert Perreira, who also applied for the position, became acting chief. Following the March 10 vote, questions were raised about the commission’s ratification of the vote made in executive session, prompting review by Hawaii County Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance. The vote was re-agendized for Wednesday’s meeting.
West Hawaii Today