HAWAII | WILDFIRE
Maui blaze threatens tourist town of Lahaina
Firefighters on Maui thought they had gained the upper hand on a wildfire that destroyed at least one house, but more evacuations were ordered Thursday in a subdivision near the popular tourist town of Lahaina, island officials said.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized funds to help fight the blaze. Regional administrator Nancy Ward said flames were threatening residential areas near Lahaina.
Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's office said the FEMA declaration meant the fire had such destructive force that it was considered "a major disaster" for the island. Officials estimated that by Thursday afternoon, 1,400 acres had burned and flames were still threatening the Olowalu and Launiupoko subdivisions southeast of Lahaina.
The Red Cross reopened two emergency shelters at Maui High School and the Lahaina Civic Center, which had housed more than 500 residents and tourists overnight after the blaze broke out Wednesday behind the Olowalu Store.
An additional 120 residents and tourists spent Wednesday night at Kahului Airport because their pilot was unable to reach the airport with the closure of Honoapiilani Highway. The only thoroughfare in the area was closed again late Thursday afternoon after being reopened in the morning. It remained closed until Thursday night, police said.
Police Lt. Wallace Tom said the blaze also cut off land-line telephone service to West Maui. Residents were advised to use cellphones or to go to the Lahaina police station, where radio communication was available.
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