A popular stretch of Waikiki Beach was evacuated last night after a smoking military flare washed up on shore Wednesday night, a Fire Department spokesman said.

Honolulu Firefighters responded to the scene at about 7:25 p.m. near the Duke Kahanamoku statue.

Firefighters cleared a small area around the flare and closed one lane of traffic and part of the sidewalk on Kalakaua Avenue, said Fire Capt. Terry Seelig

Firefighters identified the item as a Navy flare and called federal firefighers, who arranged to take it away, Seelig said.