Lahaina, Maui faced ‘near-riot’ in cops clash after fires

A slew of confrontations broke out between police and motorists as authorities briefly reopened the main road back to Lahaina for the first time since devastating wildfires tore through the historic town in the Hawaii Island of Maui.

At one point Friday, roughly 100 people began challenging police to gain access to Lahaina via Honoapiilani Highway, with officers telling the Honolulu Star Advertiser they were facing a near riot.

Footage on social media showed long lines of cars heading into the fire-ravaged town after the road was opened at noon for first time since Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s wildfires destroyed it, leaving at least 80 dead.

Traffic initially was smooth through the Maalaea checkpoint, with police screening motorists to ensure only Lahaina residents with identification, or visitors who could prove they were hotel guests in West Maui, could be let in.

But by 5pm, police shut down the road in both directions, leaving motorists furious and spurring all sorts of chaos.

Some drivers parked on the highway and walked into areas yet to be deemed safe, and some got “emotional” when told by authorities to hit the road, according to the Honolulu Star Advertiser.

By 6 p.m., the highway at Maalaea reopened to traffic outbound from Lahain,a but remained closed to vehicles headed toward West Maui.

Maui Police Department did not immediately respond to messages, including whether there were any arrests or injuries.

/Maui County officials released a statement, saying, “The road to Lahaina was opened for local residents to provide medication and supplies to their families that remain in homes on the west side and in need of such assistance outside of the fire/biohazard zone.”

They also condemned people who parked on the Lahaina Bypass and walked into the areas locked down due to hazardous conditions and biohazards.

“Those caught within this zone will be escorted out and may be arrested,” said the statement. “This area is an active police scene, and we need to preserve the dignity of lives lost and respect their surviving family.”