The leading edge of the fire on the Kona side of Waikoloa Road near Waikoloa Stables. (Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7).
UPDATED 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6
Fire officials have contained the Waikoloa fire, although crews will remain on scene overnight to knock down hot spots and prevent flare ups.
Officials estimate 300 acres of brush were scorched.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.
UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (3/6/10)
As of 6 p.m. Hawaii County Civil Defense reports that Waikoloa Road is now open in both directions and residents of Pua Melia Apartments can return to their homes.
Firefighters are still working in the area and drivers are asked to use caution.
MEDIA RELEASE
The Fire Department is currently fighting a brush fire off Pua Melia Street in Waikoloa.
The residents of Pua Melia Apartments have been evacuated to Waikoloa School due to heavy smoke.
Waikoloa Village is not threatened at this time. The fire is along the south side of Waikoloa Road, just mauka of the village intersection.
Conditions are gusty and blustery. A bulldozer has been called out to help cut fire breaks along the Kona side of the fire.
Waikoloa Road is closed from Queen Kaahumanu Highway to Waikoloa Village. Waikoloa Road is open to local traffic only at the Highway 190 intersection.
Civil Defense will issue updates  as conditions change.
A bulldozer heads out to cut firebreaks around a blaze in Waikoloa on the Kona side of Waikoloa Road. (Photo by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7)
Police and county personnel set-up roadblocks to prevent vehicles from driving makai of Waikoloa Village. (Photo by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7)
A firefighting helicopter on scene at the Waikoloa brushfire. (Photo by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7)
(Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Andrew Cooper)
(Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Andrew Cooper)
For a first-hand account of the fire scene you can visit Andrew Cooper’s Web site at www.darkerview.com
Flames still were visible from a condominium across Waikoloa Road at about 12:45 a.m. Sunday. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Scott Stanton)
We were watching all afternoon, and we very impressed with the precision and finesse of the helicopters involved. We are staying at paniolo greens and were especially impressed with the person in comand of the private helicopter. BRAVO!!!
GREAT news gathering team!!! Amazing pictures. Found your links on Twitter.
By the way, Google maps list “pua” melia drive. Will you confirm street name from the sign?
I corrected the road name given to us by Civil Defense.