Maui residents evacuated after brush fire scorches 500 acres
An intense brush fire in Kahikinui on Hawaii’s island of Maui forced the evacuation of over 100 homes as it rapidly spread due to strong winds. The fire quickly grew to about 500 acres, with no reported injuries or property damage at the time. Maui County officials are still working on determining the exact containment figures for the fire.
The Maui County Fire Department stated that the fire ignited around 10 a.m. on Sunday in Kahikinui and was fueled by high winds, moving up the mountain. Initially reported at 20 acres, the fire expanded significantly in size as it moved into challenging terrain.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu reported gusty winds near Kahikinui, reaching up to 20 mph with even higher gusts of nearly 50 mph, further propelling the fire’s spread. An emergency evacuation order was issued for mile marker 24 in Kahikinui, prompting the evacuation of 30 to 40 homes.
Residents were alerted through the Genasys Protect App and MEMA Alerts, while emergency officials went door-to-door to ensure everyone evacuated safely. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen declared an Emergency Proclamation to access federal funds for potential impacts, with Maui Police closing Pi’ilani Highway (Hawaii Route 31) from mile marker 20 to 41 to aid firefighting efforts.
The American Red Cross established a temporary evacuation point at Grandma’s Coffee House on Kula Highway in Ulupalakua to assist displaced residents. This incident comes less than two years after Maui County faced the deadliest fire in modern U.S. history, which devastated communities like Lahaina and claimed over 100 lives.
As authorities work to contain the brush fire in Kahikinui, the safety and well-being of residents remain a top priority. Stay tuned for updates on the situation as emergency crews continue to battle the flames and protect the community.
