Hawaii Boat Fire Report Turns Out to be Amber Lights

A fishing boat’s amber lights were mistaken for a fire Sunday night and launched a rescue effort by the Honolulu Fire Department.

Spokesman Kevin Mokulehua says a witness reported a possible boat fire at 7:40 p.m. outside the reef at Kahana State Park.

Firefighters from shore could see an orange-amber color and a flickering glow on a black-and-white video camera image at the Kaaawa fire station.

Twenty-one firefighters from seven companies and a helicopter responded.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the Coast Guard eventually notified the department it was in contact with a shrimper, who was using amber lights.

Fisherman Phil Westbrook says he turned them on the 84-foot Sea Falcon when other lights failed.

He heard a report about a possible boat fire and immediately called the Coast Guard.