A stubborn brushfire burned about 10 acres yesterday near the Hawai'i Kai Golf Course and Makapu'u area.

The fire started at 3 a.m. and was believed to be under control around 7 a.m. However, by 10 a.m. firefighters and police had to close Kalaniana'ole Highway near Sea Life Park because the fire rekindled.

Police kept one lane open to let traffic pass. At times, cars were backed up 30-deep in each direction as firefighters struggled to control the blaze.

A helicopter and about four companies battled the fire on the mauka side of the highway, said Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Kenison Tejada.

In all, about 30 firefighters from Waimanalo to Waipahu worked to contain the fire, which was near the site of a similar brushfire in June.

Golfers continued to play while firefighters combed the hillside beating the bushes for hotspots.

No homes were threatened, Tejada said.

"I woke up in the middle of the night frantic, trying to figure out where the smoke was coming from," said Yvonne Hepton, a Queen's Gate resident. "It's so sad we have a fire out here again."

Queen's Gate resident Gloria Fowler said she slept through the fire but could see a plume of smoke out her back windows.

"I see lots of smoke now," Fowler said. "There's a little bit of smoke coming our way."

Firefighters do not know what started the blaze.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.