Kahili brush fire closes portion of Honoapiilani and Kuihelani highways

A Kahili brush fire makai of Honoapi'ilani near Kahili Golf Course closed Honoapiʻilani and Kuihelani highways around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, due to smoke and reduced visibility.

Northbound traffic is closed between Honoapiilani and Kuihelani; southbound traffic is being turned around at Maui Tropical Plantation.

Emergency officials are asking motorists to avoid the area if possible to allow firefighters to work.

The brush fire is approximately four to five acres, and containment is at 75% as of 1:15 p.m., according to Maui Fire Department (MFD). Forward progress of the fire was stopped around 1:50 p.m.

No structures are being threatened at this time and there are no reports of injuries. However, leeward areas of Maui and other Hawaiian islands are under Red Flag Warning conditions until 4 p.m. today.

MFD has four engines, two tankers and two helicopters, along with three private tankers and two private cement loaders, on the scene.

The Kahili brush fire was reported at 12:22 p.m., according to MFD. Maui Emergency Management Agency's (MEMA) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at the onset of the Red Flag Warning on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

MEMA issued an information Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) to impacted areas, along with informational messages to MEMA subscribers, asking motorists to avoid the area and to monitor radio, TV and mobile devices for official details.