Hawai‘i Island police sending officers to Maui to help in response to devastating wildfires

Hawai‘i Island police will be sending 12 officers to Maui through a Mutual Aid Agreement to assist Maui police and the residents of Maui in the wake of the devastating wildfires, leaving at least 53 people dead and Lāhainā all but destroyed.

“The devastation we have all witnessed on Maui as they endure unfathomable losses and destruction due to wildfires hits close to home as it could easily happen here on Hawai‘i Island as we battle wildfires,” said Hawai‘i Island Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz.

Hawai‘i Fire Department and various partners responded to multiple brush fires in North and South Kohala on the Big Island earlier this week. Hurricane-force winds on Tuesday fanned the flames forcing road closures and evacuations of homes in Kohala Ranch subdivision and homes on the Mauna Kea Beach Resort property.

No homes were lost in the fires.

As of this afternoon, the Lāhainā fire was 80% contained. Maui fire crews continue to battle two additional fires in Pūlehu and Kula.

With the two roads still closed going into West Maui — except to emergency responders and government officials — many residents aren’t leaving for basic necessities because they don’t know when they’ll be allowed back into their community.

As a result, Maui residents have been sending supplies by boat to Lāhainā. Click here for information on how to help Maui during this natural disaster.

The Hawai‘i Fire Department is also making themselves ready should Maui Fire Department need them. Deputy Fire Chief Eric Moller said 18 firefighters ready to deploy to Maui if their assistance is needed.