Evacuation order issued for Olowalu Village due to brush fire

WEST MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) – Maui County officials have issued an evacuation order for Olowalu Village, from Luawai to Ehehene Streets, in West Maui, due to brush fire that poses an immediate threat to life and property.

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The brush fire was reported at 1:57 p.m., on Saturday.

Emergency sirens were sounded around 2:40 p.m.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen told Hawaii News Now the fire was 40% contained in a 300-acre area.

Honoapiilani Highway is closed from North Kihei to Olowalu General Store.

Drivers should avoid the area and use alternate routes.

Click here for live zone status updates from Maui County.

Temporary evacuation points open

Temporary evacuation points opened Saturday at 3:45 p.m. at Lahaina Civic Center and at 4:30 p.m. at South Maui Community Park Gym in Kīhei for those evacuating Olowalu Village.

The following locations are available for the public.

Temporary evacuation points provide a safe gathering area but do not have the supplies or amenities of a regular emergency shelter.

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Anyone evacuating to a TEP should bring bedding, food, drinking water, essential supplies, and medications, if possible.

Pets are permitted but must be in crates.

County officials say, if necessary, the temporary sites can be converted into emergency shelters with cots, food, and water.

Do not return to the affected area until authorities announce it is safe to do so.

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