Brush Fires Frequent on Maui

The picture below is an all too usual occurrence for Maui, especially during those dry spells when little rain hits our islands. A brush fire gets out of control, and the County shuts down roadways for safety reasons. I've been one of the many stuck on a closed Honoapi'ilani Highway. The highway was a long parking line of vehicles. Because my car had some radio station logos on it, I immediately got flooded with questions, along with complaints by people missing their flights home or to another destination.  

Maui's peaceful night skies awaken with a blazing brush fire. Be prepared next time you're on the island.

It may inconvenience your travel plans, but they do this to prevent on-scene personnel and by-standers from getting hurt. There have been times where temperatures get into the triple digits, and with the winds blowing the flames, the fire's prone to jump into the roadway and continue to burn everything in its path.  

Even with my air conditioner on, it still gets pretty toasty. As a reminder from the Maui Police Department, please do not flood Emergency 911 with calls about the fire or to ask how long it will take for the roads to reopen. If you are at your hotel and are packed up for your return flight home, then you'll most likely be alerted by guest services.

Here are tips for when a brush fire alert is sounded on Maui: 

At the Hotel:

• Contact the front desk of your hotel/condo to confirm.
• Do not contact the Maui Police Department for updates; your front desk agents will update you.
• Contact your airline directly to see if you can reschedule for a later flight or to make alternate arrangements.
• Keep a portable radio going for frequent updates.

On the Honoapi'ilani Highway:

• Contact your airline directly to see if you can reschedule for a later flight or to make alternate arrangements.
• Keep your radios tuned into a local station for the latest updates.

Hope these tips help you in the event of a brush fire on Maui.

Posted by Jake Smookler Follow me on Twitter @DJSmook

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: How to Hawaii,Maui

December 1st, 2011