South Maui needs evacuation routes in the event of a fire or tsunami.

We have been looking at this for 2 years and my proposal from last June for a temporary emergency evacuation route is happening!

Until we have adequate roads built, we will implement a temporary plan to address and mitigate risk: gated one-lane emergency-only routes. 

There are also at least 5 other roads, some from WWII that can be used.

Members of this planning working group are to include, Maui DPW, MPO, HDOT, MEMA, HIEMA, MPD, S. Maui Council member, representatives of the 3 ranchlands or other property owners and eventually local community groups like KCA who have all reaffirmed their desire to have a well designed evacuation plan. 

Update:  I have spoken with KCA and MEMA.  This should be ready in 2027.  it is now being done for ALL communities on Maui not just Kihei.

I hope it is never needed.

Terez

---Memo Excerpts below

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Hale o nā Luna Maka‘āinana

Aloha Mayor, Director, Administrator and Council Member        6-25-26

As you know, on 8/3/23, were it not for the actions of large companies and landowners making firebreaks, we might have also lost Kīhei.  Flames came within a few hundred yards of houses and within 600 yards of Kūlanihāko’i High School.  

During the multiple floods in the last few years we have seen 1 of our only 2 exit roads cut off.  This situation puts lives at risk during major crisis events and also  in the aftermath of flood events, emergency traffic is constrained making egress difficult and lengthy making rapid medical care impossible, also risking lives (see map on page 2).

To this end I have proactively requested State funding for planning for a Mauka bypass, and also met with the House representative MPO appointee, the Speaker of the House, the CIP chair, the Governor and many people in the district who have expressed concern and offered suggestions.  

...

I would ask you to please work with me to facilitate convening a working group to assess and plan an emergency evacuation route from South Maui.  Some have suggested using existing old roads over 2 of the 3 ranches.  I think appropriate members might include, Maui DPW, MPO, HDOT, MEMA, (possibly HIEMA), S. Maui Council member, representatives of the 3 ranchlands or other property owners and eventually local community groups who have all reaffirmed their desire to have a well designed evacuation plan. 

Terez

Representative Terez Amato

Representing South Maui: House District 11 - Kīhei (Kula Kai), Wailea, Makena

Figure: Map showing only 2 roads in or out of South Maui, shut down last year for weeks and again damaged in recent storms.  The Recent Kona low blocked  S. Kihei Road further South and is not shown here. 

Imagine being a heart attack or stroke patient stuck in traffic needing to get into town to our only hospital given this road situation.  People may die unnecessarily.