Old Folks Fire

Six months ago I walked out of my office onto my lanai and saw a plume of smoke rising to the sky below where I live. A huge grass fire ensued that I captured in a previous blog.  Friday it was deja vue all over again. I stepped onto the lani and looked to the sea below and saw a tower of dark smoke issuing up from somewhere below. My natural instincts kicked in and I ran to my office, grabbed my cameras, jumped into the Excursion and headed towards the smoke.

It turned out there was a nasty fire just erupting below the Hualalai old folks home. The flames were just about to lick at the doors of a bunch of geezers standing around wondering what to do. The fire trucks arrived just about the same time as did I.

I stood beside two young girls who were standing between the fire and there Tutu's unit in hopes of protecting her things from burning. 

A fireman jumped onto the table before me and began giving instructions to crews trying to figure out where the fire was heading. I recognized him from his wedding which I photographed a few months ago. "Howsit Derek...knock em down!" I said, he laughed, shook my hand and ran off toward the fire truck.

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I spotted an old guy with his dog drinking a cup of Joe seemingly unconcerned about what the fire might do to his life. "You planning on evacuating?" I asked. ""Nope" was all I got back.

These two gals were waiting for one of their sons to come and get them as the fire and fireman ran about them. They were unconcerned.

This old local boy was standing there in his sweat pants talking to his son telling them what a great time he was having as the fire neared his home. He was having his most exiting day in months!

As the fire began to move up the hill towards the makai units there was a sense of urgency all about us. The wiry japani kapuna started hauling lines like he was an ex fire jock and everyone helped get water on the fire.

About this time the helicopter water dropper arrived and man delivered saltwater rain from Kailua Bay began to drop from the sky. Not good for the camera equipment and besides I just got a call from the HPD that if I didn't come move my Excursion from where I abandoned it on Hualali Road they were gonna haul it away.

Time to go.

No lives or property lost, my car didn't get towed and I only lost an hour or so from my busy day. How exciting was your day last Friday?

Take care,

Brian