Maui Devastated By Wildfires, HTA Provides Situation Update
Wildfires driven by strong winds from Hurricane Dora swept through Lahaina and other Valley Isle communities leaving devastation in their wake.
In a situation update issued at 10 pm HST on Aug. 9, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) indicated that those fires were continuing to burn in multiple areas of Maui and on Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala Coast and have resulted in the evacuations of thousands of residents and visitors, and multiple closures of major roadways.
Today, multiple sources, including the Maui News and the Honolulu Star Advertiser – were reporting that 36 deaths had been confirmed, 30 injured and 271 structures on the Valley Isle had been destroyed or damaged, but officials have voiced fears that these numbers could rise.
The HTA said that it is in continuous communication with state and county emergency management officials, as well as its Global Marketing Team and visitor industry partners, to monitor this situation and will provide updates.
It said that visitors who are on non-essential travel are being asked to leave Maui, and non-essential travel to Maui is strongly discouraged at this time.
In the days and weeks ahead, our collective resources and attention must be focused on the recovery of residents and communities that were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.
The HTA’s statement continues:
Visitors who have travel plans to West Maui in the coming weeks are encouraged to consider rescheduling their travel plans for a later time.
Visitors with travel plans to stay in other parts of Maui and the Kohala Coast of Hawai‘i Island in the coming weeks are encouraged to contact their hotels for updated information and how their travel plans may be affected. Travel to Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, and other parts of Hawai‘i Island are not affected at this time.
While Kahului Airport on Maui remains open at this time, residents and visitors with travel bookings are encouraged to check with their airline for any flight changes or cancellations, or for assistance with rebooking.
Throughout this crisis, HTA will be providing communication updates to our travel partners — airlines, accommodations, ground transportation companies, activity providers, travel agents, and wholesalers — to ensure the public is kept informed about travel to Maui and Hawai‘i Island.
In partnership with the Red Cross, HTA is opening an assistance centre at the Hawai‘i Convention Center on Oahu for people evacuated from Maui who are unable to return home at this time. Support will be provided at the assistance center to help visitors book accommodations or flights.
Air Canada has provided an update on its flights and rebooking policy that is available at https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/travel-news-and-updates/2023/maui-wildfires.html#/
WestJet has issued an advisory for its flights to Maui at https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/get-travel-ready/advisories#travel-advisories
Go to www.hawaiitourismauthority.org for visitor-specific information.
Hawaii Tourism Authority FAQ — https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/maui-and-hawai%CA%BBi-island-wildfire-update/
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Updates — https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/governor-issues-third-proclamation-relating-to-wildfires/
Both the Maui News and the Honolulu Star Advertiser are providing regular updates on the situation as it unfolds.
Take good care of yourself … Malama pono …
