Kahikinui Fire Grows to 500 Acres, Prompts Evacuations

A fast-moving brush fire near Kahikinui, Maui, prompted emergency evacuations for 30 to 40 homes on Sunday, June 15, as the fire rapidly grew from a quarter acre to approximately 500 acres by evening, driven by strong winds. The Maui Emergency Management Agency issued alerts through multiple channels, instructing residents makai of the highway to evacuate with only essential items. Temporary shelters were established by the American Red Cross, initially at Grandma’s Coffee House and later relocated to King Kekaulike High School gymnasium. Multiple firefighting crews, including ground units, tankers, and aircraft, were deployed, but as of Sunday evening, the fire remained at zero containment. There were no reports of injuries or structural damage, and road closures were enforced to support emergency operations. Maui’s mayor signed an emergency proclamation to facilitate federal assistance and deploy additional resources.