Firefighters Respond to Fire at Historic Hōlualoa Building

A historic building on the Big Island was damaged by fire Sunday, Aug. 21.

Firefighters responded just before 8 a.m. Sunday to a report of a structure fire at 76-5925 Māmalahoa Highway in Hōlualoa. The site is home of the 1929 Hōlualoa Theatre building, which houses the Hōlualoa Artist Colony and Mi Taqueria Potosina.

Upon their arrival at 8:06 a.m., firefighters observed flames and heavy smoke coming from the approximately 2,376-square-foot commercial building owned by Merner Land Co., and the structure was fully involved in fire. Personnel with several units from the Hawai’i Fire Department responded to help protect surrounding buildings from fire exposure and extinguish the blaze.

The fire was put out by 9:40 a.m. and personnel remained at the scene to assist with salvage and overhaul. The last unit was back in quarters by 12:24 p.m. Sunday.

No one was at the building during the blaze and there were no injuries reported.