The recent Kunia brush fire, which is now the largest of a series of fires in the area, destroyed 15 acres of sugar cane, impacting the Kō Hana Rum distillery located at Kunia Camp. The fire started on Tuesday and swiftly spread across 600 acres, primarily affecting the slopes of the Waiʻanae mountains. Air support was crucial, with helicopters conducting water drops throughout the day, helping to manage the fire’s threat to neighboring farms, which had been greater the previous day.
As the flames approached heavily trafficked Kunia Road, there were moments when they jumped across it. Firefighters were able to contain the flames and prevent further damage, prompting an evacuation earlier in the week. The losses are significant for the distillery, as Robert Dawson, co-founder of Kō Hana Rum, described the destroyed sugar cane as a "museum collection" of 36 heirloom varieties, integral to their production methods. This particular crop, annually harvested for rum, will take a year to recover fully.
Despite the destruction, Dawson noted that Kō Hana Rum has ample farmland available and assured that operational impacts would be minimal. The fire also came dangerously close to the Kunia Camp, where facilities include an aquaponics operation, a farmers market, and homes for agricultural workers.
The series of fires in Kunia has raised concerns, and while local officials believe everyone is following proper protocols, Dawson mentioned the need for vigilance against possible arson, as the Honolulu Police Department has opened an investigation into at least one related arson case.
As of Wednesday night, firefighters had contained approximately 70% of the blaze, with no reported injuries or structural damage. City, state, and federal teams remained on-site addressing hot spots and investigating the fire’s cause and the damage done.
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