UPDATE: Kawaihae Road Reopens

***Updated at 10 p.m. to include information from the Hawai’i Police Department.***

Kawaihae Road has reopened in both directions, as of 9:50 p.m.

***Updated at 6:30 p.m. to include a road closure update.***

One lane of Kawaihae Road has been reopened, according to Hawai’i County Civil Defense.

***Updated at 5:50 p.m. to include Hawai’i Police Department information.***

The Hawai’i Police Department reports that Kawihae Road is once again closed.

***Updated at 5:35 p.m. to include Hawai’i Police Department information.***

Kawaihae Road has been reopened, according to the Hawai’i Police Department.

A brush fire continues to burn in the area, but is now under control, according to Hawai’i County Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Glen Honda.

Crews continues to fight the blaze. Assistant Fire Chief Honda told Big Island Now that two dozers are on scene fixing an old fire break and establishing a new one.

It’s estimated that 200 acres have burned in the area.

“We really appreciate the public’s patience and keeping a safe driving nature coming down the highway,” Assistant Fire Chief Honda said.

Big Island Now will continue to bring you the latest as information becomes available.

***Updated at 4:25 p.m. to include information from the Hawai’i Police Department.***

The Hawai’i Police Department reports that the accident that occurred Friday afternoon in the Kawaihae area was between a Hawai’i County Fire Department vehicle and a container truck.

Photo credit: Lani Ignacio-Shibata.

No additional information on the accident was immediately available.

The brush fire reportedly occurred prior to the accident.

Big Island Now will continue to bring you information on the brush fire and the accident as it becomes available.

***Updated at 3 p.m. to include additional information from the Hawai’i County Fire Department and Hawai’i County Civil Defense.***

Hawai’i County Civil Defense reports that a runaway brush fire has occurred near Kawaihae Road.

A Hawai’i County Fire Department mechanic in the area tells Big Island Now that the fire is on the Waimea side of Kawaihae Village.

Civil Defense reports that Kawaihae Road is closed between the Kohala Mountain Road intersection and intersection of Kawaihae Road and Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. It is unknown when the road will reopen.

Three companies were on the scene, as of 2:45 p.m., along with two helicopters.

The brush fire reportedly happened at around 12 p.m., and a vehicle accident subsequently took place around 12:30 p.m.

According to the HFD mechanic, the accident may have been caused by smoke from the fire. Information regarding parties involved in the accident were not released.

***Original story posted at 2:23 p.m.***

A vehicle crash and fire in the Kawaihae Road area has been reported by the Hawai’i Police Department.

HPD reports that the incident occurred near the 65-mile marker, closing Kawaihae Road.

Police say the road is expected to be closed for the next two hours. Traffic is being detoured.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes if possible.

No additional information regarding vehicles involved or the nature of the fire were immediately available.

Big Island Now will bring you the latest as it becomes available.