After the fire

Land burned by a brush fire near Spencer Beach Park, Hawaii

A few days ago, I headed out on the trail from Spencer Beach Park to Mau’umae Beach Beach. I was curious to see how far last month’s brush fire, that burned near Mauna Kea Resort, had reached down by the ocean. A hundred yards into the walk the answer became clear. It reached the shore. Spencer Beach Park was untouched, but the woods on the edge of the park are one tree deep in places.

Land burned by a brush fire near Spencer Beach Park, Hawaii

I walked back to Spencer on the service road, a quarter mile inland. The power line ran along the ground or was draped in blackened trees. There was a clump of poles and other supplies in one spot, ready for restoring service.

Powerline down following a brush fire near Spencer Beach Park, Hawaii
Power poles and other supplies waiting to be used after a brush fire in Hawaii
A high voltage sign on lumber being used after a fire in Hawaii

The vehicle access road to Mau’umae Beach beach is closed now, as two small wooden bridges were destroyed in the fire. Currently, and for the foreseeable future, the only access to the beach will be along the coast trail from Spencer. It’s only a 15 minute walk, but that’s often enough to discourage people from going there.

A view towards Mau’umae Beach after a brush fire in Hawaii

14 thoughts on “After the fire”

    1. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

      Well, it’s closely associated with Pu’ukoholā Heiau, built by King Kamehameha I, and it’s also where an important submarine cable makes landfall. Anything else?

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      1. Allen's avatarallen gray

        Anything else? I don’t know. You wrote about it; therefore, I wondered if it was famous for something or just a special place. If I visited Hawai’i, is it some place that I should make a point to visit?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

          I thought you might know of something I didn’t! It’s a nice park, popular with local families, and I like walking through there. But no, it’s not what I would call a must see place.

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    1. Graham's avatarGraham Post author

      It’s already growing back. I’ve seen a lot of green shoots in places. But these kinds of events will always be sobering reminders of what can and does happen.

      Liked by 1 person

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