Evacuation order lifted for Kaanapali neighborhood threatened by wildfire
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Maui resident Marsha, who did not want to give her last name, wept as Maui firefighters battle a brush fire above her home in Lanikeha today. She said that a worker from the Ka’anapali Golf Estates went door to door in a golf cart alerting residents to evacuate. She and her husband went to grab their pets and assist their elderly neighbor, who doesn’t drive, and evacuated to Ka’anapali Beach Resort to watch the fire from afar.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Smoke was seen today in Kaanapali in West Maui from a brushfire. Maui Emergency Management Agency issued an evacuation order for residents from Anapuni Loop to West Mahi Puu Place in the Kaanapali area.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
An evacuated resident talks on her phone as a brush fire burns on the slopes near a gated community called Lanikeha located inside Ka’anapali Golf Estates today.
CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
The Maui Emergency Management Agency sent a mobile phone emergency push alert in West Maui during a brush fire, as shown in the screenshot.
UPDATE:
Maui Electric said power was restored before 7 p.m. to all customers affected by the Kaanapali power outage.
“Power has been restored to all customers. If you’re still experiencing an outage, please report it to our 24/7 trouble line at 808-871-7777,” the company said in a social media post.
6:20 p.m.
Maui County officials said the Kaanapali fire burned 7 acres of vegetation and is 85% contained.
Firefighters have stopped forward progress of the fire, they said in a social media post.
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“An Army Chinook CH-47 helicopter will make at least one water drop to help improve containment lines,” the county said. “As of 5 p.m., the evacuation order has been lifted and residents are free to return home. Please use caution while traveling through the area as emergency personnel are still working.”
4:50 p.m.
The evacuation order has been lifted for a Kaanapali neighborhood that was threatened by a brushfire this afternoon, Maui County officials said at about 4:45 p.m.
Maui officials said West Mahi Pua Place and Kualapa Loop “are now opened to traffic and residents may return.”
At 3:10 p.m., Maui Electric Co. said about 677 customers are without power in the Kaanapali area, and that its crews were responding.
2:27 p.m.
Maui County said in a Facebook update, “While the fire situation has stabilized and is not posing an active threat at this time, firefighters are working in the area. Evacuation Orders still remain in effect, and officials advise evacuees should stay clear of the area until it is safe to return. Residents will be advised when evacuation orders have been lifted.”
2:18 p.m.
Maui County said in a Facebook update, “Fire fighters are on scene and have stopped forward progress of the fire. No additional threats or evacuation order are in place. Will update as information become available.”
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Maui Emergency Management Agency issued an evacuation order for residents of Anapuni Loop to West Mahi Puu Place in the Kaanapali area of West Maui this afternoon. Emergency sirens were also activated around 1:20 p.m..
A cell phone alert was sent before 1:30 p.m. by the Maui Emergency Management Agency for immediate evacuation of family and pets “without delay.”
“Expect conditions that may make driving difficult and watch for public safety personnel operating in the area,” the Maui-EMA alert said.
The area is an upscale community of multimillion-dollar homes on the mauka side of Honoapiilani Highway overlooking the Kaanapali resort
A Maui County Facebook post says “LEVEL 3 GO NOW evacuation order for an active brush fire at the Anapuni Loop.
Firefighting helicopters were getting water to fight the blaze from swimming pools.
A resident told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that someone from the Ka’anapali Golf Estates went door-to-door alerting them about the fire.
Star-Advertiser photographer Cindy Ellen Russell contributed to this report.
