1:30 p.m. UPDATE: Fire Flare Up in Māʻalaea; Honoapiʻilani Now OPEN
UPDATE: 1:33 p.m. 1/22/16
The Honoapiʻilani Highway is now OPEN in both directions. Motorists can expect a delay in travel as traffic resumes its normal flow.
There is still some smoldering smoke visible at the center of the fire far within the perimeter. Crews have been released from the scene pending any further updates.
Traffic at last report was backed up to Waikapū for Lahaina bound motorists, and to Olowalu for Wailuku bound motorists. Please drive safely. Maui police advise the public that if they observe any flare-ups or hot spots near the roadway, they should call 9-1-1.
The fire had burned at least 80 acres since it was first reported at around 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016.
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FIRE FLARE UP/ HWY Alternating Traffic
UDPATE: 1:12 p.m. 1/22/16:
Maui police plan to reopen the Honoapiʻilani Highway for travel in both lanes shortly. As of 1 p.m., a contraflow remained in place due to a flareup of a fire first reported on Thursday near Mile 7 in Māʻalaea.
The flareup forced the temporary closure of the road at 10:24 a.m., but police began a contraflow, alternating traffic using a single lane as of 10:49 a.m.
At around 1 p.m., the contraflow remained in place and traffic in the Lahaina bound direction remained backed up to Waikapū and traffic in the Wailuku bound direction was backed up to Olowalu.
We will continue to update this post as new information becomes available.