Olowalu fire updates: More than 100 acres burned, 50% contained, Honoapiʻilani OPEN

Update: 9:44 a.m., June 28, 2023

A brush fire in Olowalu has burned 120 acres since it first started on Tuesday afternoon, and was 80% contained by Wednesday morning. Fire crews continue work today to secure the perimeter. The full update is posted in a new page for Wednesday updates here.

Update: 6:30 a.m., June 28, 2023

Maui fire crews worked overnight to battle a stubborn fire in Olowalu where 100 acres had burned by nightfall on Tuesday.  Strong winds and heavy smoke forced the closure of the road for about two hours from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m.  A second closure of the Honoapiʻilani Highway occurred from 7:07 to 9:51 p.m., due to a tree on fire and the removal of a downed tree from the roadway.  The fire was 50% contained at last report. 

Update: 9:51 p.m., June 27, 2023

The Honoapiʻilani Highway is now OPEN in both directions as of 9:51 p.m.

The Olowalu brush fire remains at 100 acres and 50% contained.

The fire was first reported at around 3 p.m. in the area mauka of the Olowalu General Store in West Maui. The fire forced the temporary closure of the Honoapiʻilani Highway from around 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. due to gusty winds and heavy smoke as well as firefighting operations. The highway was closed again from 7:07 to 9:51 p.m. due to a large tree that was on fire adjacent to the road, and the removal of a downed tree.

Motorists are cautioned that the Honoapiʻilani Highway may be subject to future occasional closures as firefighting efforts continue.

*Check back for updates, which will be posted as they become available.

NOTE: The Kahekili Highway is also OPEN in both directions as of 9:52 p.m.

Update: 9:30 p.m. 9 p.m., 8:40 p.m., 8:26 p.m, June 27, 2023

The Honoapiʻilani Highway remains closed as of 9:30 p.m. due to ongoing firefighting efforts in Olowalu. Maui police advise that crews from the state Highways Division just arrived on scene at around 9 p.m. to assess the situation.

The Olowalu brush fire remains at 100 acres and 50% contained.

County officials said a large tree was on fire adjacent to the roadway. The Maui Emergency Management Agency also reported that a downed tree required removal.

The Honoapiʻilani Highway was closed from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m. It then closed for a second time shortly after 7 p.m. and remains closed at this time.

Motorists are cautioned that the Honoapiʻilani Highway may be subject to future occasional closures as firefighting efforts continue.

*Check back for updates, which will be posted as they become available.

Note: Kahekili Highway is now open for Lahaina Bound traffic at Waiheʻe School as of 7:38 p.m., however there are setbacks due to heavy traffic in the area.

Update: 7:42 p.m., June 27, 2023

Honoapiʻilani Highway is CLOSED between the Lahaina Bypass and Māʻalaea Bay Place due to ongoing firefighting efforts in Olowalu.

The blaze has burned 100 acres since it was first reported shortly after 3 p.m, and was 50% contained at last report.

Motorists are cautioned that the Honoapiʻilani Highway may be subject to future occasional closures as firefighting efforts continue.

*Check back for updates, which will be posted as they become available.

Note: Kahekili Highway is now open for Lahaina Bound Traffic at Waiheʻe School as of 7:38 p.m.

Update: 7:38 p.m., 7:18 p.m., 7:07 p.m., June 27, 2023

Maui police advise that the Honoapiʻilani Highway is being closed again (as of 7:07 p.m.) as crews continue to battle a stubborn brush fire in Olowalu. The closures is as follows:

• Honoapiʻilani Highway at Luawai in Olowalu: Lahaina bound lane is closed
• Honoapiʻilani Highway at the Lahaina Bypass is closed: Police are rerouting Wailuku bound traffic down “Cut Mountain.”

The blaze has burned 100 acres and was 50% contained at last report.

Motorists are cautioned that the Honoapiʻilani Highway may be subject to occasional closure as firefighting efforts continue.

*Check back for updates, which will be posted as they become available.

Note: Kahekili Highway is now open for Lahaina Bound Traffic at Waiheʻe School as of 7:38 p.m.

Update: 6:47 p.m., 6:25 p.m., June 27, 2023

As of 6:15 p.m., the Honoapiʻilani Highway is open, according to Maui police. Motorists are asked to drive with caution and expect delays as traffic resumes its normal flow.

The brush fire had burned more than 100 acres, and was estimated to be about 50% contained at approximately 6 p.m., according to Maui Fire Department. No evacuations are anticipated at this time.

Honoapi’ilani Highway was closed at around 4 p.m. due to low visibility from heavy smoke.

Posted/Update: 5:47 p.m., 5:34 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 5:08 p.m., 4:47 p.m., 4:16 p.m., 3:54 p.m., June 27, 2023

A large brush fire has burned more than 100 acres mauka of the Olowalu Store in West Maui since it was first reported shortly after 3 p.m.

The fire forced the closure of the Honoapiʻilani Highway in both directions from the Lahaina Bypass to Māʻalaea Bay Place.

Multiple firefighting assets are on the scene. Helicopters are being used to drop water on hotspots and multiple ground assets are being deployed including Wildland units and department tankers.

County officials say the Maui Fire Department has two tankers, five engine companies and two air resources, along with tankers and heavy machinery from private companies, responding to the fire.

Area residents have reported gusty winds and heavy smoke near the Honoapiʻilani Highway.

We received reports at around 4:45 p.m. of area residents who had evacuated due to the proximity of the fire. Maui County officials say there are no evacuations at this time (as of 5:30 p.m.), but residents of Olowalu are urged to stay informed about the latest emergency notices.

*Check back for updates, which will be posted as more information becomes available.

Note: Kahekili Highway is closed for Lahaina Bound Traffic at Waiheʻe School. Maui police say local residents are allowed to pass.