Hawaii District Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting units are conducting live fire training exercises at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole and Hilo International Airport, Monday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation.

The exercise is an annual requirement by the Federal Aviation Administration to recertify fire and rescue personnel. The ARFF units will be testing their response protocol to a live emergency scenario involving burning fuel. Safety precautions will be in place throughout the exercise.

People may see smoke and emergency vehicles during the exercise but all flight operations will continue as normal.

Direct any questions to the HDOT Public Affairs Office at 808-587-2160. 

CORRECTION: This article has be revised to reflect that the training is fire fighter training, not military training. We regret the error. (Feb. 11, 2025)