Honoapiʻilani Highway now OPEN; Olowalu brush fire burns 100+ acres, 40% contained

(Update: 10:30 p.m. Sept. 26, 2026) As of 10:30 p.m., both lanes of Honoapiʻilani Highway between North Kīhei and Olowalu are open. Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling through this area as crews continue to work to battle a large brush fire.

Earlier, at around 9:15 p.m., contraflow began in the makai lane on the Honoapiʻilani Highway between Olowalu and Māʻalaea, with alternating traffic from North Kīhei Road to Olowalu General Store. Prior to that, the highway was closed in both directions.

The fire in Olowalu has burned 100-plus acres and was about 40% contained, according an update from County officials.  An earlier estimate had placed the fire at around 300 acres.

Firefighters have directed the fire toward the ocean to stop further fueling.  Maui Fire Department resources on scene include the Lahaina Ladder, Mini-Pumper and Tanker, Nāpili Engine and Mini-Pumper, Wailuku Engine and Mini-Pumper, Kahului Tanker and Relief Engine 50. Two private dozers and two private tankers also helped fight the fire. Along with ground crews, two helicopters were deployed during daylight hours. Crews are continuing firefighting efforts on the ground overnight.

No structures have been impacted, and no injuries have been reported for the public or first responders, according to the mayor. 

The Lahaina Civic Center Gym (1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway)is transitioning to an emergency shelter for residents and others who were ordered to evacuate or affected by power outages in West Maui. There is also a temporary evacuation point available at the South Maui Community Gymnasium (1501 Liloa Drive, Kīhei).

The fire was first reported shortly before 2 p.m. Residents of Olowalu Village from Luawai Street to Ehehene Street were evacuated and sirens sounded at 2:40 p.m.

Travelers are advised to check their flight status.  In addition, the area from Mile Marker 35 on Honoapiʻilani Highway near Honokōhau Stream to Waiheʻe School on Kahekili Highway was limited to local traffic only during the Olowalu closure. The Kahekili Highway was reopened at 11 p.m.

At the request of the Maui Fire Department, Hawaiian Electric (HECO) de-energized power lines servicing the area from Ukumehame to Lahainaluna Road to ensure firefighter safety. About 740 customers in the area should be prepared to be without power overnight. All other surrounding areas have power.

The National Weather Service canceled the Tropical Storm Watch for Maui County at 5 p.m. High surf and flash flood watches may remain, and wind remains a primary concern. At around the same time, NWS issued a High Wind Warning, which is in effect for portions of Maui County until 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. 

Last year, the Maui Emergency Management Agency cleared 42 acres, 120 vehicles, 1,200 tires, and debris at mile marker 13.5 in Ukumehame as part of a Wildfire Risk Reduction Project. Removing this invasive vegetation and hazard material significantly reduced potential fuel for this incident, according to the mayor.

“That was intended to reduce wildfires because there had been a dozen wildfires in that area over two years, and this is exactly the area that this fire impacted,” said Bissen.  “If that debris were still there, there would be a lot more challenges.  We’re hoping to have that area return to a wetland with native species growing there.”

Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

• For updated road closure information, visit mauicounty.gov/roadclosures.
• For emergency information, visit mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

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Update: (4:03 p.m., Sept. 26, 2026) Two temporary evacuation points opened today at 3:45 p.m. at Lahaina Civic Center (1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway) and at 4:30 p.m. at South Maui Community Park Gym (1501 Liloa Drive) in Kīhei for residents and others evacuating Olowalu Village due to a brush fire that poses an immediate threat to life and property.

Temporary evacuation points, or TEPs, provide a safe gathering area but do not have the supplies and amenities of a regular emergency shelter. Those evacuating to a TEP should bring bedding, food and drinking water, essential supplies and medications. Pets are permitted but must be in crates. If necessary, TEPs can be converted into emergency shelters, which provide cots, food and water.

An evacuation order remains in effect for Olowalu Village from Luawai Street to Ehehene Street. Residents and others in the affected area should leave immediately, evacuate away from the fire area and follow directions from emergency officials.

Honoapiʻilani Highway is closed from North Kīhei to Olowalu Store, (820 Olowalu Village Road, Lahaina). Motorists should avoid the area and use alternate routes. Do not return to the affected area until authorities announce it is safe to do so.

HDOT advises people trying to get to the airport from West Maui to follow the directions of emergency responders and contact their airlines when it is safe for them to do so.

The County of Maui and emergency response agencies are responding to the fire, which was reported at approximately 1:57 p.m. today near Olowalu Village. Emergency sirens were sounded at approximately 2:40 p.m.

Hurricane Nolo is passing south of the state, and the Tropical Storm Watch for Maui has since been discontinued for Maui County as of 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

• For updated road closure information, visit mauicounty.gov/roadclosures.
• For emergency information, visit mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

Previous post: Olowalu evacuation order/ Highway Clousure due to brush fire

(Update: 3:09 p.m., Sept. 26, 2026) An evacuation order has been issued for Olowalu Village from Luawai Street to Ehehene Street due to a brush fire that poses an immediate threat to life and property. The brush fire was reported at approximately 1:57 p.m. today near Olowalu Village. Emergency sirens were sounded at approximately 2:40 p.m.

Maui police also closed the Honoapiʻilani Highway between the Olowalu General Store and Māʻalaea at around 3:14 p.m. The Highway is closed from North Kīhei to Olowalu Store, 820 Olowalu Village Road, Lahaina. Motorists should avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Residents and others in the affected area should leave immediately, evacuate away from the fire area and follow directions from emergency officials.

This is a lawful evacuation order, and the affected area is closed to public access. Do not return until authorities announce it is safe to do so.

The County of Maui and emergency response agencies are responding to the fire. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Maui Now’s Wendy Osher contributed to this report.