Firefighters yesterday brought a wildfire in a Waikele gulch under control in less than 20 minutes.

Firefighters responded to the 3:43 p.m. alarm to Kahakea Street in Parkview Village and contained the fire to an area estimated at 50 yards by 25 yards, said HFD spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig. The fire was declared under control at 4 p.m.

The gulch borders townhouses, which are protected by an access road and serves as a firebreak, Seelig said.

POLICE WEEK EVENTS SET ON BIG ISLAND

Hawai'i County police next week will recognize more than 1,000 middle school students who completed Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The students will be honored as part of Police Week festivities.

DARE Day programs will be held Monday in Hilo and Tuesday in Kona.

The Hilo program from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium will feature student entertainment, appearances by Derek Kurisu, Barret Otani and "Mountain Apple Man" from the TV show "Living in Paradise," and demonstrations by the department's Vice Section and Special Response Team.

Student entertainment and demonstrations by the Vice Section and Special Response Team are scheduled for Kona's DARE Day at 10 a.m. at Kekuaokalani Gym in Kailua, Kona.

Big Island Police Week events also include a ceremony next Friday at the Kona District station to pay tribute to Hawai'i County police officers Manuel Cadinha (1918), William "Red" Oili (1936), Ronald "Shige" Jitchaku (1990) and Kenneth Keliipio (1997), who gave their lives in the line of duty.

All three events are open to the public.

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT FORUM ON MOLOKA'I

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold an informal public meeting tomorrow on Moloka'i to hear from community members regarding the use of personal watercraft around the Friendly Isle.

The meeting will be from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center conference room.

"We understand a petition is being circulated on Moloka'i to demonstrate public support for legalizing jet ski riding," department director Laura H. Thielen said. "The purpose of this public meeting is to hear directly from residents regarding concerns or questions they might have about the use of jet skis in Moloka'i waters."

Residents also can provide comments in writing to the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, or at subsequent meetings.

Commercial or recreational use of equipment such as Jet Skis is prohibited around Moloka'i and Lana'i.

A similar public meeting will be planned for Lana'i soon.

MAUI CENTER ADDING 2 MORE TENNIS COURTS

Maui County is beginning work on two additional tennis courts at the Kula Community Center.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held today at 10 a.m. at the tennis courts.

Contractor David P. Ting & Sons won the $2.06 million contract. The courts are scheduled to be completed by Oct. 30.

The center's original two tennis courts were built in August 1997.