Kahikinui fire 93% contained; evacuation orders lifted

Kahikinui fire 93% contained; evacuation orders lifted
Update: 7 p.m., June 16, 2025

Evacuation orders for Kahikinui were lifted at 7 p.m. today, June 16, due to increased fire containment, according to Maui Emergency Management Agency. The fire has burned 330 acres since it first started Sunday morning, and was 93% contained as of nightfall on Monday.

The Kēōkea Community Center, which opened at 7 a.m., will close at 8:30 p.m. tonight.

The Maui Police Department reopened access to the Pi’ilani Highway (Highway 31) at 7 p.m. on Monday; however, it will close again from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, between Mile 20 and 41 for firefighting equipment and work. Residents should plan accordingly, and area motorists are urged to use caution and remain vigilant as firefighting resources will remain in the area.

Personnel will continue monitoring and patrolling the fire overnight. No injuries or structural damages have been reported.

Kahikinui fire 85% contained; crews respond to hotspots
Update: 1:14 p.m., June 16, 2025

Maui firefighters have gained 85% containment of a large brush fire in the remote Kahikinui community, fire officials said. The fire has burned 330 acres since it was first reported on Sunday morning.

Firefighters are working to extinguish hotspots within challenging, remote terrain. No injuries or structural damages have been reported.

Evacuation orders remain in effect for area residents near Mile 24 and 25 of the Pi’ilani Highway, where approximately 105 homestead lots are situated. The current shelter location is at Kēōkea Community Center.

The Maui Fire Department deployed two fire apparatuses plus crews and one tanker, along with Air One and Air Two today. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife has 20 firefighters, one fire apparatus and one tanker responding to the blaze. County Department of Public Works has three tankers, a dozer and two fuel trucks on scene. Also, four private dozers are helping crews with containment efforts.

The Pi’ilani Highway is currently closed from Mile 20 to 41 due to ongoing firefighting efforts.

The pubic can sign up for Genasys Protect and MEMA Alerts at www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

Kahikinui fire 80% contained; revised to 330 acres burned
Update: 8:07 a.m., June 16, 2025

The size of the Kahikinui brush fire has been revised downward from the previous estimate of 500 acres to 330 acres after Air One flew the perimeter of the burn area with a flight tracker. Fire officials say the remote, challenging terrain does not support walking and acreage estimates have varied.

Currently, smoldering fire conditions continue throughout the burn area. Fire officials say the Kahikinui blaze was 80% contained as of 8 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025.

The fire was first reported on Sunday morning in a remote area near Mile 24 and 25 of the Piʻilani Highway.

Overnight, Maui Police Department 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.

King Kekaulike High School gymnasium shelter closed at 6:45 a.m. today due to a summer school program and the Kēōkea Community Center opened at 7 a.m. today as a new shelter location.

Evacuation orders remain in effect today after initial orders were issued on Sunday by the Maui Emergency Management Agency. The order is for Kahikinui homes near Mile Marker 24 and 25. There are approximately 105 Kahikinui homestead lots in the area.

The Maui Fire Department 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, according to a County of Maui news release update.

The public can expect road closures on Pi’ilani Highway from Mile Marker 20 to 41 due to ongoing firefighting efforts.

The pubic can sign up for Genasys Protect and MEMA Alerts at www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA.