Evacuation Order Issued for Olowalu Village Due to West Maui Brush Fire
Maui County officials issued an evacuation order for Olowalu Village, spanning from Luawai to Ehehene Streets in West Maui, on Saturday due to a brush fire that poses an immediate threat to life and property. The emergency response forced the closure of Honoapiilani Highway and prompted the opening of temporary evacuation points for displaced residents.
Emergency Evacuation Order and Highway Closures
The brush fire was officially reported at 1:57 p.m. on Saturday, triggering emergency sirens across the region at approximately 2:40 p.m. The escalating threat forced Maui County to mandate evacuations for the entirety of Olowalu Village from Luawai to Ehehene Streets. Local transit was severely disrupted as authorities shut down Honoapiilani Highway from North Kihei to the Olowalu General Store, cutting off primary access corridors and forcing drivers to seek alternate routes away from the fire zone.
County officials established temporary evacuation points to manage the displaced population, opening the Lahaina Civic Center Gym at 1840 Honoapiilani Highway in West Maui at 3:45 p.m., followed by a second site at the South Maui Community Park and Gym located at 1501 Liloa Drive in Kihei at 4:30 p.m.
Public Safety Guidelines at Temporary Sites
Emergency management teams stressed that the designated temporary evacuation points function purely as safe gathering areas rather than fully provisioned emergency shelters. Evacuees arriving at the Lahaina Civic Center or the South Maui Community Park and Gym were advised by county officials to bring their own bedding, food, drinking water, essential supplies, and necessary medications.
Pets are permitted at both evacuation locations but must remain secured in crates at all times. Officials noted that if conditions require prolonged sheltering, these temporary sites possess the infrastructure to convert into fully operational emergency shelters equipped with cots, food, and water supplies.
Residents remain barred from re-entering the affected areas of Olowalu Village until emergency services and county authorities formally announce that the perimeter is safe. Motorists and local residents are instructed to continue avoiding the Honoapiilani Highway closure zone and monitor live zone status updates directly through official Maui County channels.