Wildfires continue to rage across large parts of the Hawaiian island of Maui and Hawai‘i Island’s Kohala Coast as thousands of visitors and residents attempt to evacuate the regions.
Hawaiian officials confirmed that at least six people have been killed in the fires, CNN reported, but authorities fear the death toll could rise.
Hawaii State Department of Transportation director Ed Sniffen told a news conference on Wednesday around 2,000 people stayed overnight at Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) as they flee.
Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines urged those who do not have travel booked “to avoid coming to Kahului Airport as the airport is already crowded”.
“While we are currently operating our full schedule and have seats available on flights out of Maui today, we are concentrating our resources on transporting essential personnel and first responders,” the carrier said in a statement.
“If you do have existing travel plans to/from Maui between August 9 – 20, 2023 and would like to change your flights, please contact our Reservations Department at 1-800-367-5320.
“For visitors, we encourage you to consult with your hotel and determine whether it is advisable to shelter in place for the time being.”
Residents and visitors with flight bookings have been encouraged to check with their airline for any flight changes or cancellations and also for assistance with rebooking, the Hawaiian Tourism Authority (HTA) said.
Don’t come to Maui
According to HTA, “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”.
“The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is in continuous communication with state and county emergency management officials, as well as our Global Marketing Team and visitor industry partners, to monitor this situation and will provide updates,” it added.
“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.”
HTA said that travel to Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and other parts of Hawaiʻi Island “are not affected at this time”.
“Throughout this crisis, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority will be providing communication updates to our travel partners – airlines, accommodations, ground transportation companies, activity providers, travel agents, and wholesalers, as well as to local and national media – to ensure the public is kept informed about travel to Maui and Hawai‘i Island,” it stated.
For more updates, visit ready.hawaii.gov. Or for visitor-specific information, visit hawaiitourismauthority.org.
Also, read our update on the situation here.
