Maui County Alerts
MEMA ALERT: Kahikinui Brushfire Update 1 PM Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 16, 2025
6/16 KAHIKINUI FIRE UPDATE AS OF 1 P.M.
FIRE UPDATE
The Kahikinui brush fire mauka of the highway near Mile Marker 24 and 25 is now 85% contained and 330 acres, according to County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety (MFD). Firefighters are extinguishing the active fire and hotspots within challenging, remote terrain. No injuries or structural damages have been reported.
SHELTER
Keokea Community Center opened at 7 a.m. today, 6/16.
EVACUATION ORDERS
Evacuation orders remain in effect today, 6/16. Evacuation orders were issued 6/15 by Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for Kahikinui homes near Mile Marker 24 and 25 due to the fast-moving brush fire, fueled by strong winds. There are approximately 105 Kahikinui homestead lots in the area. MPD and MFD conducted door-to-door evacuations. Also, evacuation orders were sent around 11 a.m. 6/15 through the new Genasys Protect app and MEMA alerts and later with an island-wide Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA).
RESPONSE
MFD deployed two fire apparatuses plus crews and one tanker, along with Air One and Air Two. 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, one dozer and two fuel trucks. Also, four private dozers are on scene.
CLOSURES
Road closure remains in effect on Pi’ilani Highway from Mile Marker 20 to 41 due to firefighting efforts.
BACKGROUND
MFD reported the Kahikinui brush fire at 9:54 a.m. 6/15. MEMA’s Emergency Operations Center was partially activated by midday. A temporary evacuation point at Grandma’s Coffee house was open midday until 4:30 p.m. 6/15. King Kekaulike High School gymnasium shelter opened at 5:30 p.m. 6/15 and closed at 6:45 a.m. today due to a summer school program. The fire is located in remote, challenging terrain, causing various estimates on the fire size. Recent mapping calculated by Air One flying the perimeter with a flight tracker arrived at approximately 330 acres.
Mayor Richard Bissen signed an Emergency Proclamation at 5:45 p.m. 6/15 in response to the ongoing fire, which authorizes the County to access federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for emergency response efforts to ensure continued and effective countywide response.
INFO
Sign up for Genasys Protect and MEMA Alerts at www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA and follow County of Maui and MEMA on Facebook and Instagram.
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MFD photos via Dropbox (Dates are on photo titles): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/dewqkt4ubxj2nu0c629nf/AGQn_FBl9BifaEPOGwUBFcc?rlkey=adamqkcd3g88sbhofe5pfx4bu&st=riaka06p&dl=0
For Immediate Release
June 16, 2025
6/16 KAHIKINUI FIRE UPDATE AS OF 1 P.M.
FIRE UPDATE
The Kahikinui brush fire mauka of the highway near Mile Marker 24 and 25 is now 85% contained and 330 acres, according to County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety (MFD). Firefighters are extinguishing the active fire and hotspots within challenging, remote terrain. No injuries or structural damages have been reported.
SHELTER
Keokea Community Center opened at 7 a.m. today, 6/16.
EVACUATION ORDERS
Evacuation orders remain in effect today, 6/16. Evacuation orders were issued 6/15 by Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for Kahikinui homes near Mile Marker 24 and 25 due to the fast-moving brush fire, fueled by strong winds. There are approximately 105 Kahikinui homestead lots in the area. MPD and MFD conducted door-to-door evacuations. Also, evacuation orders were sent around 11 a.m. 6/15 through the new Genasys Protect app and MEMA alerts and later with an island-wide Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA).
RESPONSE
MFD deployed two fire apparatuses plus crews and one tanker, along with Air One and Air Two. 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, one dozer and two fuel trucks. Also, four private dozers are on scene.
CLOSURES
Road closure remains in effect on Pi’ilani Highway from Mile Marker 20 to 41 due to firefighting efforts.
BACKGROUND
MFD reported the Kahikinui brush fire at 9:54 a.m. 6/15. MEMA’s Emergency Operations Center was partially activated by midday. A temporary evacuation point at Grandma’s Coffee house was open midday until 4:30 p.m. 6/15. King Kekaulike High School gymnasium shelter opened at 5:30 p.m. 6/15 and closed at 6:45 a.m. today due to a summer school program. The fire is located in remote, challenging terrain, causing various estimates on the fire size. Recent mapping calculated by Air One flying the perimeter with a flight tracker arrived at approximately 330 acres.
Mayor Richard Bissen signed an Emergency Proclamation at 5:45 p.m. 6/15 in response to the ongoing fire, which authorizes the County to access federal assistance programs for individuals and public infrastructure, including funds for emergency response efforts to ensure continued and effective countywide response.
INFO
Sign up for Genasys Protect and MEMA Alerts at www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA and follow County of Maui and MEMA on Facebook and Instagram.
# # #
MFD photos via Dropbox (Dates are on photo titles): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/dewqkt4ubxj2nu0c629nf/AGQn_FBl9BifaEPOGwUBFcc?rlkey=adamqkcd3g88sbhofe5pfx4bu&st=riaka06p&dl=0