The Kawaihae Road fire drew community support on July 26 when The Salvation Army Hawai‘i County Emergency Disaster Services team from the Honoka‘a Corps delivered breakfast to about 60 firefighters working in South Kohala.
The blaze, located near Kawaihae Road and Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, was reported on the evening of July 25. By later Sunday, firefighters had the Kawaihae Road fire under control, and officials estimated about 680 acres had burned in total. Roughly 500 acres had already been scorched by the time volunteers arrived with the morning meal.
The incident prompted a mandatory evacuation of about 50 homes in the Kawaihae Village Subdivision, and campers at Spencer Beach Park were also cleared from the area as a precaution.
Support for Kawaihae Road fire responders
The Salvation Army team coordinated with the county to serve first responders as needs arose throughout the firefighting effort.
More information about The Salvation Army’s statewide work in disaster relief and community services is available from the Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division.
