Maui County, HI

06/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/16/2025 12:33

Kahikinui fire update as of 8 a.m. 6-16-25

FIRE UPDATE

The Kahikinui brush fire mauka of the highway near Mile Marker 24 and 25 is now mapped at approximately 330 acres, which was calculated by Air One flying the perimeter with a flight tracker, according to County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety (MFD). The remote, challenging terrain doesn't support walking and estimates have varied on this brush fire. MFD said containment as of 8 a.m. today, 6/16, is 80%. Currently, smoldering fire conditions continue throughout the burn area. Overnight, Maui Police Department (MPD) drone flights showed hotspots throughout the fire area within the dozer line. No nighttime flare-ups occurred, MFD said. No injuries or structural damages have been reported.

SHELTER

Keokea Community Center was opened at 7 a.m. today, 6/16, as a shelter. King Kekaulike High School gymnasium shelter closed at 6:45 a.m. today due to a summer school program. American Red Cross opened the high school gym at 5:30 p.m. 6/15.

EVACUATION ORDERS

Evacuation orders remain in effect today, 6/16. Evacuation orders were issued 6/15 by Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for Kahikinui homes near Mile Marker 24 and 25 due to the fast-moving brush fire, fueled by strong winds. There are approximately 105 Kahikinui homestead lots in the area. MPD and MFD conducted door-to-door evacuations. Also, evacuation orders were sent around 11 a.m. 6/15 through the new Genasys Protect app and MEMA alerts and later with an island-wide Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA).

RESPONSE

MFD has multiple engines and tankers, along with Air One, addressing the fire today in steep, challenging, hard-to-access terrain. County Department of Public Works' tankers, dozers and fuel trucks were en route early this morning. Twenty to 30 State Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife personnel are on scene, along with private dozers and personnel.

CLOSURES

Road closure remains in effect on Pi'ilani Highway from Mile Marker 20 to 41 due to firefighting efforts.

BACKGROUND

MFD reported the Kahikinui brush fire at 9:54 a.m. 6/15. The brush fire was originally a quarter acre and increased to around 20 acres by 10:30 a.m. MEMA's Emergency Operations Center was partially activated midday in response to the fire. A temporary evacuation point at Grandma's Coffee house was open midday until 4:30 p.m. 6/15. Mayor Richard Bissen signed an Emergency Proclamation at 5:45 p.m. 6/15 in response to the ongoing fire, which authorizes the County to access federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for emergency response efforts to ensure continued and effective countywide response.

INFO

Sign up for Genasys Protect and MEMA Alerts at www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA and follow County of Maui and MEMA on Facebook and Instagram.

Maui County, HI published this content on June 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 16, 2025 at 18:33 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io