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Explosive enigma: What caused Hawaii gas grill blast?

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Some casual grillers at home might wonder how to prevent similar accidents at home after the explosion at Whaler Condos on Feb. 20. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Experts said there are some precautions to take to avoid gas grill explosions. The owner of Aliʻi Gas on the Big Island said it is important to make sure every burner is lit before closing the lid when cooking on a multi-burner gas grill. 'They hear 'tick tick' sound and hear the gas and they think the burners lit and it's not. Then they move on to the next handle and they do the same thing,' Scott Unger of Aliʻi Gas said. 'They think all the burners are on, but they're not. They shut the hood and one of those igniters works. And at that point, a whole bunch of gas has accumulated in the hood and it will explode.' 7 injured in explosion at Hawaii resort Rep. Elle Cochran said she is thankful that no one was killed in the blast and added the explosion points to the need for a hospital in west Maui. 'And this is just one incident I think that could have helped assist a lot quicker,' Cochran said. 'Just trying to survive from the whole aftermath of the Lahaina Fire itself moving forward. I think we're all, in a sense, gun shy with things of this nature, with explosions and fires and propane and stuff, which we heard happen during this fire. We have to reassess what will be the safest way moving forward and rebuilding. And making sure things are checked and cross-checked and that things are failsafe.' Officials with the Maui Fire Department were still investigating the scene on Feb. 21 and Unger said there are tips that anyone with a gas grill can take into account. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON's morning podcast, every morning at 8 'If it's in a concrete cabinet, it's very less likely to vent out the bottom and it'll further pool,' he said. 'Don't ever put a grill lid down if the burners aren't lit. If you think they're lit and you hear the gas coming through, you just want to make sure to look at the burners, make sure they're lit before you ever put a grill lid down.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.