MAUI, Hawaii (KHON2) — Officials on Maui announced the launch of a new mobile app on April 7 that will alert users of evacuations in case of an emergency. They call it “powerful, lifesaving technology” that will make the island a safer place.
After the devastating Lahaina wildfire in 2023, Maui County officials knew they needed to do better.
“We at MEMA and the County of Maui, recognize the critical need for continuous improvement in our countywide evacuation management protocols,” said Amos Lonokailua-Hewett, Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator.
Officials feel they’ll achieve that with the Genasys project. It’s a mobile app that will allow users to see pre-determined evacuation zones, track live statuses and receive real-time notifications.
“It will help Maui county’s first responders make faster, more informed decisions by enabling real time communication across agencies and delivering clear, targeted communications to the public when we all know every second counts,” said Michael Smith, Genasys Inc. Senior Vice President.
Genasys says its product is already being used across the country, including during the wildfires in Los Angeles county earlier this year. The organization says evacuation times can be reduced by as much as 90 percent. Maui officials estimate zones could be evacuated in less than 30 minutes.
Despite the new technology, officials say it wouldn’t hurt to also have a battery powered radio.
“Each of the tools has a limitation,” Lonokailua-Hewett said. “Some of them are relayed or delivered via cell phone. Some of them need power. Some of them need internet service and so forth. There is not one tool that can stand on its own. So all of the tools work together.”
“In addition to that, we’re purchasing 11 Starlink cellphones which will be able to communicate so we will get the genesis program even if the public doesn’t get it,” said Deputy Chief Wade Maeda of the Maui Police Deptartment. “And we can go to these zones and help evacuate too.”
Emergency responders are wrapping up final training with the Genasys system. It’s scheduled to go live May 1. Before then, Maui emergency officials will have a public education campaign to get residents to sign up and answer any questions.
The first workshop is at the emergency expo this Saturday, April 12, at the Queen Kaahumanu Center.