Maui County Clears 115 Acres of Kapuali Land for Fire Safety
Work starts Monday to remove invasive plants and debris from a site near the Lahaina Bypass that has burned 12 times in the last three years.
By Ricardo Brooks ·
Maui County begins clearing 115 acres of land on the island's western side on Monday, Nov. 9, to lower the risk of wildfires. The project targets a specific parcel known as Kapuali or Cut Mountain, located in Launiupoko near Honoapiilani Highway and the Lahaina Bypass.
The Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) initiated this effort after the site experienced 12 separate fires between February 2024 and September 2026. Crews will remove invasive grasses, haole koa, and kiawe trees, along with abandoned vehicles, tires, and gas tanks left on the property.
MEMA Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett stated that the recent Olowalu fire, which was fueled by hurricane-force winds, highlights the ongoing need for proactive risk reduction in West Maui. Officials note that clearing this land will help protect nearby residential areas, a beach park, telecommunications infrastructure, and the Lahaina Bypass road.
The work is scheduled to proceed in three phases, with the first phase starting immediately. No residents will be displaced during this initial stage. The county plans to collaborate with community partners to provide outreach and assistance to individuals potentially affected by the later phases of the project.
The project is expected to be finished by early 2027. The county has directed the public to mauicounty.gov/MEMA for additional details regarding the timeline and scope of the vegetation management work.
