Propane leak prompts evacuations in Kihei
Advertiser Staff
A leaking 3,000-gallon propane tanker prompted Maui police to evacuate 200 Kihei homes and condominiums for more than five hours today.
No one was injured in the incident, which was reported at 8:15 a.m. near Halama and Waiohuli streets. Police said the tanker truck experienced mechanical problems and that a leak was detected.
Police evacuated 100 homes and two 50-unit condominiums in a half-mile radius of the tanker as a precaution. Efforts to stop the leak failed and the tanker was moved to another location about 1:15 p.m.
During the transport, police and fire units closed Mokulele Highway from the Central Maui baseyard through Pi'ilani Highway to Welakahao Street. Once the tanker was moved to a safe location about 1:45 p.m., the roads were reopened and residents were allowed to return to their homes.