Maui police reopened Honoapiilani Highway to contraflow traffic after 12:15 a.m. today after it closed the highway for several hours Saturday night, according to the latest county news release.

The blaze, fed by 30- to 40-mph northwest winds, was first reported at 5:30 p.m. Saturday mauka of Olowalu store in West Maui, according to the county.

Police evacuated residents from homes on Luawai Street, and about 50 Maui Fire Department crew were on the scene, protecting homes from damage.

The Red Cross respite center at the Lahaina Civic Center has been closed, while the respite center at the Kihei Community Center remains open at 303 E. Lipoa St. in South Maui.

An Olowalu blaze evacuated a handful of homes and burned 500 acres Saturday. County of Maui photo

Because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols, people seeking respite at the center need to remain in their vehicles. The center’s restrooms continue to be open.

Hawaiian Electric crews due to the high winds were responding to West Maui outages after three transmission lines were knocked out.

Hawaiian Electric warned people about the danger of down utility poles, saying not to touch the lines and stay at least 30 feet or more from the lines, which could be energized and dangerous.

After midnight, power was restored to most customers in the West Maui area except for a pocket area on Wainee Street, the company said early this morning.

Honoapiilani Highway had been closed at Maalaea, and vehicle access to Kahakuloa is limited to local traffic only.

From 11 p.m. to nearly midnight Saturday, police had been escorting groups of 20 to 30 motorists on the highway from West to Central Maui.

Maui Bus service continued on all routes, except for buses running between West Maui and Central Maui.

The County of Maui Department of Water Supply on Saturday asked Upcountry and West Maui residents to conserve water for only necessary use for the next 24 to 48 hours because of power outages and the Olowalu brush fire.

Mayor Michael Victorino inspected the fire scene Saturday and credited Maui firefighters and police for their work.

“Maui firefighters and police are doing a fabulous job under very difficult conditions with high winds and steep, difficult-to-reach terrain,” he said in the release. “I thank the public for being patient during this highway closure, and we hope to reopen the roadway for contraflow traffic as soon as possible. Please avoid the Olowalu fire area as much as possible.”