Updates: Maui brush fire in Puʻukoliʻi area of Kāʻanapali burns 33 acres; roads reopen, evacuation orders lifted, flights impacted

A brush fire has burned 33 acres (revised downward from an earlier estimate of 90 acres) in an area mauka of the Honoapiʻilani Highway near Kakaʻalaneo Drive in the Puʻukoliʻi area of Kāʻanapali near the old Sugar Cane Train warehouse. Evacuation orders have since been lifted and roads have reopened. Flight impacts have been reported.

Forward progress stopped, containment continues

As of 2:10 p.m., forward progress of the fire has been stopped, according to Maui Fire Department officials, but the fire is still smoldering and requires further containment. Materials continue to burn and produce smoke, which is impacting the roadway. Additional firefighters from the State of Hawaiʻi Airports Division have arrived to assist. Firefighters will continue working to extinguish the fire, but advise that this will take time.

Evacuations order lifted

Evacuation orders have since been lifted as of 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.

Orders, warnings and advisories were issued at around 1:20 p.m. by the Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for multiple zoned areas in Kāʻanapali due to smoke and proximity amid Kāʻanapali fire. The private road in Kāʻanapali Golf Estates and Old Stuart Road (cane haul road) was opened for public use off of Puʻu Anoano Street. The evacuation order impacted the area mauka of Honoapiʻilani Highway between Kakaʻalaneo Drive and Puʻukoliʻi Road, including some homes above Hakui Loop.

For specific zone locations, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search or download the Genasys Protect app.

Flights impacted at Kapalua Airport

At 2 p.m, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation reported that two charter flights and one Mokulele Airlines flight scheduled to leave out of Kapalua Airport on Maui this afternoon, have been canceled due to heavy smoke and traffic in the area. Passengers have been notified.

Honoapiʻilani Hwy. reopens

Both lanes of Honoapiʻilani Highway between Puʻukoliʻi Road and Lower Honoapiʻilani Highway (the lower road) were reopened at 2:40 p.m., according to Maui Police Department.

At 12:12 p.m., witnesses reported seeing a first helicopter arriving to conduct water drops. County officials say both lanes of Honoapiʻilani Highway were closed at 12:22 p.m. between Puʻukoliʻi Road and Lower Honoapiʻilani Highway (the lower road) near the old Sugar Cane Train warehouse to allow helicopters to draw water from the ocean for firefighting operations.

Power outage reportedly impacts some 300 customers

At 5:20 p.m., an estimated 23 customers remained without power in the Kāʻanapali area. Hawaiian Electric anticipated restoration to the remaining customers by 8 p.m.

At 12:20 p.m. an estimated 303 customers were without power in the Kāʻanapali area. Hawaiian Electric reports that the outage was not a Public Safety Power Shutoff.

At 1:10 p.m., the Maui Fire Department reported that firefighters continue to work hard to contain the fire. They are supported by tankers from private contractors and the County of Maui. Air 1 and Air 2 are also on scene.

The Kāʻanapali fire was first reported at 11:40 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.

This is a developing story. More details will be posted when they become available.