Daniel K. Inouye Highway reopens after wildfire burns over 230 acres in South Kohala

WAIMEA (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Daniel K. Inouye Highway, known as Saddle Road, has fully reopened after a wildfire prompted a three-day closure.

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The Hawaii Department of Transportation announced it reopened at 9 p.m. Thursday.

Hawaii County Civil Defense reported just before 7 p.m. Tuesday that crews from the county, state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and Pohakuloa Training Area were working to contain the fire, with air support from the Hawaii National Guard.

The National Guard said the fire had burned over 230 acres and was 60% contained as of Thursday morning.

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There were no longer any active fires listed on the county’s Hazard map Friday morning.

The fire started near the highway in the South Kohala District. Earlier Tuesday, officials reported two fires near mile markers 46 and 47.

“These were relatively small to start with, but the fact that the two started in such close proximity to each other is a cause for some concern,” said Adam Weintraub with Hawaii County Civil Defense.

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There are no homes in the remote area, and no evacuation orders were issued.