TL;DR: On September 26, 2026, Maui Emergency Management Agency ordered immediate evacuation of Olowalu Village from Luawai Street to Ehehene Street because of an active brushfire near the village that posed an immediate threat to life and property.
What the evacuation order requires
According to the Alert Center • MEMA ALERT: Evacuation Order - Brushfire On M, the Maui Emergency Management Agency issued an evacuation order for Olowalu Village on the island of Maui at 3:07 p.m. on September 26, 2026.
The order covered the area from Luawai Street to Ehehene Street in Olowalu Village.
The agency directed residents and others in that segment to leave now.
The agency described the situation as an immediate threat to life and property from an active brushfire near Olowalu Village.
First responders were on scene at the time of the order.
The agency asked the public to avoid the area to allow first responders to work.
The agency directed people to follow directions from emergency officials.
The agency directed people not to return until authorities announce it is safe to do so.
The agency said it continues to monitor the situation and will provide additional information as it becomes available.
How the September 26 timeline developed
According to the Alert Center • MEMA Alert: Brush Fire On Maui Island, a brush fire was reported at 1:57 p.m. on September 26 near Olowalu Village in West Maui.
First responders were on scene after that report.
The agency advised that smoke may impact the area.
The agency advised people to stay alert, monitor official updates, and be prepared to evacuate if conditions worsen.
According to the Alert Center • MEMA Alert: Evacuation Warning - Brushfire O, the agency issued an evacuation warning for Olowalu Village at 2:26 p.m. on September 26.
That warning identified an active brushfire in the area of Olowalu Village.
First responders were on scene at the time of the warning.
The agency asked people to avoid the area to allow first responders to work.
The agency advised people to be prepared to leave immediately if conditions worsen or an evacuation order is issued.
The agency advised people to have a go-bag ready.
The agency advised those needing extra time to evacuate early.
The agency advised people to monitor updates and follow directions from emergency officials.
According to the Alert Center • MEMA Alert: County opens temporary evacuation, emergency sirens were sounded at approximately 2:40 p.m. on September 26.
The evacuation order followed at 3:07 p.m. for Luawai Street to Ehehene Street.
The County of Maui and emergency response agencies were responding to the fire reported at approximately 1:57 p.m. that day near Olowalu Village.
Where the evacuation zone is located
The evacuation order zone is Olowalu Village on the island of Maui.
The boundaries stated in the order are Luawai Street to Ehehene Street.
The county notice identified Olowalu Village as the affected community in West Maui.
The county notice directed residents and others in the affected area to leave immediately.
The county notice directed evacuees to move away from the fire area.
The county notice directed evacuees to follow directions from emergency officials.
The county notice directed people not to return to the affected area until authorities announce it is safe.
Temporary evacuation points opened in Lahaina and Kihei
According to County opens temporary evacuation points in Lahaina, South Maui due to fire at Olowalu - Maui News, temporary evacuation points opened on September 26 for residents and others evacuating Olowalu Village.
According to the Alert Center • MEMA Alert: County opens temporary evacuation, the temporary evacuation point at Lahaina Civic Center opened at 3:45 p.m. that day.
The same county notice states the temporary evacuation point at South Maui Community Park Gym in Kihei opened at 4:30 p.m. that day.
The West Maui location is Lahaina Civic Center Gym at 1840 Honoapiilani Highway in Lahaina.
The South Maui location is South Maui Community Park and Gym at 1501 Liloa Drive in Kihei.
Temporary evacuation points provide a safe gathering area.
Temporary evacuation points do not have the supplies and amenities of a regular emergency shelter.
Those evacuating to a temporary evacuation point should bring bedding.
Those evacuating to a temporary evacuation point should bring food and drinking water.
Those evacuating to a temporary evacuation point should bring essential supplies.
Those evacuating to a temporary evacuation point should bring medications.
Pets are permitted at the temporary evacuation points but must be in crates.
If necessary, temporary evacuation points can be converted into emergency shelters.
Emergency shelters provide cots, food, and water.
Road closure on Honoapiilani Highway
The county notice states Honoapiilani Highway is closed from North Kihei to Olowalu Store.
Olowalu Store is located at 820 Olowalu Village Road in Lahaina.
Motorists should avoid the area and use alternate routes.
For updated road closure information, the county directs the public to mauicounty.gov/roadclosures.
The road closure information was part of the same September 26 county update that confirmed the evacuation order remained in effect for Olowalu Village from Luawai Street to Ehehene Street.
Weather context reported on September 26
The county notice states the National Weather Service forecast tropical storm-force winds from Hurricane Nolo as it passes south of the state.
That forecast was included in the county update about the Olowalu fire response on September 26.
The county did not list additional wind speeds, distances, or arrival times in that notice.
The notice said additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Warning versus order: what changed during the afternoon
The 2:26 p.m. message was an evacuation warning for Olowalu Village.
The warning advised preparation, a ready go-bag, and early departure for those needing extra time.
The warning advised people to be prepared to leave immediately if conditions worsen or an evacuation order is issued.
The 3:07 p.m. message was an evacuation order for Luawai Street to Ehehene Street.
The order changed the instruction from prepare to leave now.
The order identified an immediate threat to life and property.
Both messages said first responders were on scene.
Both messages asked the public to avoid the area to allow first responders to work.
Both messages directed people to follow directions from emergency officials.
Separate morning report at Cut Mountain
According to the Alert Center • MEMA Alert: Brush Fire On Maui Island, a separate brush fire was reported at 11:12 a.m. on September 26 at Cut Mountain near Honoapiilani Highway and the Lahaina Bypass.
That morning notice was issued at 11:43 a.m. on September 26.
First responders were on scene for that report.
The agency asked people to avoid that area to allow first responders to work.
The agency said smoke may impact that area.
The agency advised people to stay alert, monitor official updates, and be prepared to evacuate if conditions worsen.
How to get real-time evacuation and zone updates
The Maui Emergency Management Agency directs the public to https://protect.genasys.com for real-time evacuation notifications and zone status updates.
The agency directs the public to that address to download the Genasys Protect evacuation app.
The agency directs the public to https://www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA to learn about emergency preparedness and additional ways to stay informed during an emergency.
For emergency information, the county directs the public to mauicounty.gov/MEMA.
For updated road closure information, the county directs the public to mauicounty.gov/roadclosures.
What evacuees were asked to do
Leave immediately if in Olowalu Village from Luawai Street to Ehehene Street.
Evacuate away from the fire area.
Follow directions from emergency officials.
Avoid the area to allow first responders to work.
Do not return until authorities announce it is safe.
Bring bedding, food and drinking water, essential supplies, and medications if going to a temporary evacuation point.
Keep pets in crates if bringing pets to a temporary evacuation point.
Monitor official updates through county channels and the Genasys Protect platform.