Thousands of residents and visitors have been evacuated, and major roadways on Maui have been closed due to rampant wildfires. In light of this situation, urgent travel advisories have been issued, urging travelers to avoid visiting West Maui for the near future. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) is working closely with state and county emergency management officials, as well as their Global Marketing Team and industry partners, to monitor the situation and provide updates.
According to reports, approximately 46,000 people have already flown out of Kahului Airport since the evacuations began on Wednesday. As recovery efforts focus on helping evacuated residents and businesses, visitors who have planned trips to West Maui in the coming weeks and months are strongly encouraged to reschedule their travel plans until the situation improves for area residents. Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting future reservations to support their employees and provide accommodation for evacuees and first responders involved in disaster recovery.
While basic services like power and communications are being restored, visitors are advised not to attempt to reach West Maui accommodations to make reservation adjustments until conditions improve. It is important to note that travel to other Hawaiian Islands, such as Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island, remains unaffected at this time.
Furthermore, access to Lāhainā is restricted due to the immense devastation caused by the wildfires. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and hazardous materials are likely present in the area. Visitors needing to leave West Maui or retrieve their belongings are reminded to adhere to the protocols established by law enforcement and Maui County officials. Access to the restricted zones of historic Lāhainā town is not permitted until the hazardous conditions improve.
In an effort to support those evacuated from Maui, the Assistance Center at the Hawai’i Convention Center will be relocated to the Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial in Honolulu. Operated in partnership with the American Red Cross, the Assistance Center has already served nearly 300 evacuees since its opening on August 9. Evacuees have been provided with temporary accommodations, along with essential amenities such as water, food, showers, toiletries, and clothes, all free of charge. Shuttles offering free transportation from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to Ke’ehi Lagoon Memorial will be available throughout the day.
For those wanting to help communities and families recover in Maui, the Maui Strong Fund established by the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation is accepting donations. Financial contributions are preferred due to capacity limitations, rather than physical donations. Hotels, vacation rental owners, and anyone with available space are encouraged to make accommodations available for temporarily housing displaced Maui residents. The state is implementing programs to facilitate these connections, which can be found at MauiStrong.hawaii.gov.
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority will continue to provide updates and answer frequently asked questions on their website. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for visitors and residents alike to stay informed and follow the guidance of local authorities.
