Hawaii
Powerlines are being blamed for the Maui fires. If true, it’s not without precedent
The wildfire on the Hawaiian island of Maui has been one of the deadliest in a century.
More than 100 bodies have been found so far, with officials saying the number could double as they go through the burned-down towns.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but some are pointing the finger at an electricity company for leaving its grid on amid high wind warnings and dozens of toppled poles.
Here’s what we know.
Possible video evidence
Awakened by howling winds that tore through his Maui neighbourhood, Shane Treu, was one of the first to film the early moments of the deadly wildfire.
Now the footage has emerged as key evidence pointing to fallen utility lines as the possible cause.
Mr Treu had left his house at dawn when he saw a wooden power pole suddenly snap, igniting a row of flames.
The 49-year-old resort worker called 911 and then turned on Facebook video to livestream his attempt to fight the blaze in Lahaina, including wetting down his property with a garden hose.
“I heard ‘buzz, buzz’,” he recounted to the AP.
“It was almost like somebody lit a firework. It just ran straight up the hill to a bigger pile of grass and then, with that high wind, that fire was blazing.”
Mr Treu recorded three videos to Facebook on August 8 starting at 6:40am local time, three minutes after authorities say they received the first report of the fire.
Holding a hose in one hand and his phone in the other, he streamed live as the first police cruisers arrived. In the footage, he can be heard warning officers about the live powerlines laying in the road.
At one point, he zooms in on a cable dangling in a charred patch of grass, surrounded by flames.
His neighbour, Robert Arconado, also recorded videos starting at 6:48am, showing a lone firefighter heading toward the flames as they continued to spread west downhill and downwind, toward the centre of town.
By 9am, Maui officials declared the fire “100 per cent contained”, and the firefighters left. But five hours later, Mr Arconado said the same area had reignited.
A video he filmed at 3:06pm shows smoke and embers being carried toward town as howling winds continued to lash the island.
Though experts say the early evidence suggests multiple blazes may have been ignited in and around Lahaina on August 8, there were no recorded lightning strikes or other apparent natural causes for the fires.
Mikal Watts, one of the lawyers behind a lawsuit against the electric company, told the AP this week that he was in Maui, interviewing witnesses and “collecting contemporaneously filmed videos”.
“There is credible evidence, captured on video, that at least one of the powerline ignition sources occurred when trees fell into a Hawaiian Electric powerline,” he said.
The lawsuit
A class-action lawsuit has already been filed seeking to hold Hawaiian Electric responsible for the deaths.
The suit cites the utility’s own documents showing it was aware that pre-emptive power shut offs, such as those used in California, were an effective strategy to prevent wildfires but never adopted them.
Wildfire expert, Michael Wara, says utilities with significant — and especially wind-driven — wildfire risk need to turn the power off despite the inconvenience, and should have a plan in place.
“It may turn out that there are other causes of this fire, and the utility lines are not the main cause,” the director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University added.
“But if they are, boy, this didn’t need to happen.”
Hawaiian Electric declined to comment on the accusations in the lawsuit or whether it has ever shut down power before due to high winds.
But the company’s president and CEO Shelee Kimura noted at a news conference that many factors influence that decision, including the possible effect on people who rely on specialised medical equipment and firefighters who need power to pump water.
“Even in places where this has been used, it is controversial, and it’s not universally accepted,” she said.
Maui Police Chief John Pelletier also expressed frustration that people were complaining both that power was not cut off earlier and that too many people were unaccounted-for because of a lack of mobile phone and internet service.
Has it happened before?
If the fires are found to have been ignited by fallen powerlines, it wouldn’t be unprecedented.
In 2018, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history, known as the Camp Fire, tore through Butte County in the state’s north after being ignited by a faulty electric transmission line.
The blaze resulted in at least 85 deaths, and in 2020, Pacific Gas & Electric — the company responsible for the infrastructure — pleaded guilty to more than 80 counts of involuntary manslaughter.
“Our equipment started that fire,” said then CEO Bill Johnson.
“PG&E will never forget the Camp fire and all that it took away from the region.”
The tragedy prompted state regulators to introduce new procedures requiring utilities to turn off the electricity when forecasters predict high winds and dry conditions that might cause fire to spread.
Black Saturday
Powerlines and bushfire risks also came under the microscope after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria, which claimed the lives of 173 people.
A royal commission investigating the fires found the state had a “long history of electricity assets causing bushfires”, including major incidents in 1969 and 1977.
“This history was repeated on 7 February 2009, when five of the 11 major fires that began that day were caused by failed electricity assets; among the fires was that at Kilmore East, as a result of which 119 people died,” the royal commission’s final report noted.
In the years since, modifications have been made to upgrade Victoria’s electricity assets to reduce powerline bushfire risk.
FILE VIDEO: Air Maui Helicopters Director of Operations Richard Olsten flew over Lahaina for the first time after the deadly wildfires killed more than 100 people one year ago. When the wildfires started, Olsten’s aerial images were some of the first to show the devastating fires burning.
MAUI COUNTY, Hawaii – Evacuations were ordered for the homestead of Kahikinui on Hawaii’s island of Maui on Sunday after a wind-driven brush fire quickly spread.
Maui County Fire Department said the fire sparked around 10 a.m. in the Kahikinui area around Mile Marker 24 and 25.
A brush fire burning on Maui on Sunday, June 15, 2025 leading to evacuations.
(Maui County Emergency management)
“The fire is currently moving up the mountain, pushed by strong winds,” the Maui County Fire Department said on X.
The Kahikinui brush fire is estimated to be about 20 acres and uncontrolled.
The fire is moving upslope into challenging terrain, fueled by high winds, officials said. According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, winds near Kahikinui were gusting near 20 mph with higher gusts near 50 mph.
MAUI WILDFIRE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS HEROICS OF FIREFIGHTERS DURING DEADLY WIND-WHIPPED FIRESTORM
About an hour after the fire started, Maui County Emergency Management (MEMA) issued an emergency evacuation order for mile marker 24 in Kahikinui. The evacuations included 30 to 40 homes, according to MEMA.
Residents were notified through the new Genasys Protect App, MEMA Alerts and emergency officials going door-to-door.
Maui Police have shut down Pi’ilani Highway (Hawaii Route 31) from mile marker 20 to 41 due to the firefight.
The American Red Cross set up a temporary evacuation point at Grandma’s Coffee House on Kula Highway in Ulupalakua.
No injuries or structural damage were reported as of Sunday afternoon, according to Maui County Emergency Management.
Less than two years ago, Maui County experienced the deadliest fire in modern U.S. history and Hawaii’s worst natural catastrophe when wind-whipped fires swept through communities including Lahaina, destroying everything in their path and claiming at least 102 lives in the coastal town.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page and check back for updates.
Hilo
Tonight: Breezy. Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Lows 63 to 70 near the shore to 51 to 58 at 4000 feet. North winds up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Saturday: Partly sunny with scattered showers. Highs 78 to 85 near the shore to 64 to 70 at 4000 feet. North winds up to 15 mph shifting to the northeast in the afternoon. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers in the evening, then numerous showers after midnight. Lows 63 to 69 near the shore to 51 to 58 at 4000 feet. Northeast winds up to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Kona
Tonight: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers in the evening, then partly cloudy with isolated showers after midnight. Haze through the night. Lows around 73 near the shore to 49 to 54 near 5000 feet. Light winds. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Saturday: Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming mostly cloudy. Scattered showers. Haze. Highs 82 to 87 near the shore to around 67 near 5000 feet. West winds up to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers in the evening, then partly cloudy with isolated showers after midnight. Haze through the night. Lows around 72 near the shore to 49 to 54 near 5000 feet. Light winds. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Waimea
Tonight: Breezy. Partly cloudy with isolated showers in the evening, then mostly cloudy with scattered showers after midnight. Lows 61 to 70 near the shore to 54 to 62 near 3000 feet. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. Breezy. Scattered showers in the morning, then isolated showers in the afternoon. Highs around 80 near the shore to 69 to 79 near 3000 feet. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Breezy. Scattered showers. Lows 62 to 71 near the shore to 54 to 62 near 3000 feet. East winds 10 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Kohala
Tonight: Breezy. Partly cloudy with isolated showers in the evening, then mostly cloudy with scattered showers after midnight. Lows 61 to 70 near the shore to 54 to 62 near 3000 feet. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. Breezy. Scattered showers in the morning, then isolated showers in the afternoon. Highs around 80 near the shore to 69 to 79 near 3000 feet. East winds 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Breezy. Scattered showers. Lows 62 to 71 near the shore to 54 to 62 near 3000 feet. East winds 10 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
South Big Island
Tonight: Breezy. Mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the evening, then mostly clear after midnight. Haze through the night. Lows around 73 near the shore to around 52 near 5000 feet. East winds up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Saturday: Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming partly sunny. Breezy. Isolated showers. Haze. Highs around 86 near the shore to around 66 near 5000 feet. East winds up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Saturday Night: Breezy. Mostly cloudy with isolated showers in the evening, then mostly clear after midnight. Haze through the night. Lows around 73 near the shore to around 52 near 5000 feet. East winds up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 20 percent.
Puna
Tonight: Breezy. Mostly cloudy with scattered showers. Lows 63 to 70 near the shore to 51 to 58 at 4000 feet. North winds up to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Saturday: Partly sunny with scattered showers. Highs 78 to 85 near the shore to 64 to 70 at 4000 feet. North winds up to 15 mph shifting to the northeast in the afternoon. Chance of rain 50 percent.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers in the evening, then numerous showers after midnight. Lows 63 to 69 near the shore to 51 to 58 at 4000 feet. Northeast winds up to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.
Waikoloa
Tonight: Mostly clear. Breezy and haze. Lows around 73 near the shore to 51 to 56 above 4000 feet. East winds up to 20 mph.
Saturday: Sunny…breezy and haze. Highs 83 to 91 near the shore to 65 to 72 above 4000 feet. Northeast winds up to 15 mph shifting to the north in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Breezy and haze. Lows around 73 near the shore to 51 to 56 above 4000 feet. East winds up to 20 mph.
Synopsis
Trade winds will persist through the week and will be breezy and gusty Saturday through Tuesday. Showers will be focused along typical windward and mauka areas, as well as the Kona slopes of the Big Island each afternoon.
Discussion
Rather typical June trade wind conditions are in place. Broad high pressure north of the state is driving moderate to locally breezy trade winds, and a mid-level ridge overhead is producing very stable conditions with an inversion based between 5,000 and 6,500 ft. As a result, modest showers of mostly a quarter of an inch or less have been focused along windward areas since less night, with the highest totals on the Big Island and Maui. Expect minimal windward rainfall today, and aside from scattered afternoon and evening showers along the Kona slopes of the Big Island, leeward areas will be dry. A weak upper-level low centered west of Kauai will send thin high clouds overhead but will otherwise have no impact on local weather today.
An uptick in the trades will occur during the weekend as high pressure builds north of the islands. Breezy and gusty winds will gradually increase Saturday and peak Sunday. Little change in the shower pattern is expected over most islands, though a modest increase in rainfall is possible over Kauai as the above mentioned upper-level low drifts closer.
Trade winds and a typical pattern of mainly windward showers will persist next week. Breezy and gusty trades will hold through Tuesday then drop slightly midweek. Stable conditions will persist with no significant sources of enhanced moisture noted in the guidance.
Aviation
Moderate to breezy trade winds will focus incoming low clouds and showers over windward and mauka areas. Brief MVFR ceilings and visibility may occur overnight along the windward slopes, with the possibility of AIRMET Sierra for tempo mountain obscurations. VFR conditions expected elsewhere through Saturday.
AIRMET Tango is posted for tempo moderate turbulence leeward of mountains across all islands. This will likely continue through the weekend as trade winds strengthen.
Marine
High pressure will build far north of the islands this weekend and will strengthen the trade winds a notch especially Sunday into early next week. A Small Craft Advisory (SCA) for the windier waters and channels around Maui County and the Big Island remains in effect through Sunday, but will likely need to be expanded in coverage and extended as the trades strengthen.
Surf along south facing shores will be small through Saturday. A series of small, long period, south swells originating from fetches near New Zealand will help boost surf heights near the summer average (5 feet) throughout next week. The first boost should fill in Sunday into Monday, followed by another bump Wednesday into Thursday of next week.
Rough and choppy surf along east facing shores are expected to slightly increase this weekend into early next week due to trade winds strengthening. Surf will remain at seasonable levels (nearly flat) along north facing shores throughout the forecast period. Some select exposures could see some tradewind swell wrap.
HFO Watches/Warnings/Advisories
Small Craft Advisory until 6 PM HST Sunday for Maalaea Bay, Pailolo Channel, Alenuihaha Channel, Big Island Leeward Waters, Big Island Southeast Waters.
Check out their Big Island Helicopter Tours today!
Data Courtesy of NOAA.gov
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