Airlines, hotels, and ground transportation partners successfully evacuated more than 14,000 people off the island of Maui yesterday, says the Hawaii Tourism Authority, as wildfires continue to burn on the popular tourist island.
In a statement, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) said that “by the end of today (10 August), it is estimated that an additional 14,500 people will be moved off Maui”.
“Mahalo (thank you) to all of our industry partners for this monumental show of support,” it added.
According to authorities, the death toll from the Hawaiian wildfires has risen to 53 people, but Hawaii Governor Josh Green says he expects the number of casualties to grow.
Speaking to CNN, Green said the death toll from the disaster would “significantly” exceed that of a 1960 tsunami that caused 61 deaths.
During a news conference on Thursday, the Governor described the Maui wildfires as likely the “largest natural disaster in Hawaii’s state history”.
“What we’ve seen today has been catastrophic,” he stated, promising a united effort to “bring our state back.”
Among the worst affected places in Maui is the historic town of Lahaina, where there has been widespread destruction.
According to the ABC, the blazes have left thousands of people in Lahaina homeless, with many seeking shelter in churches, schools, gyms and community centres.
“People are living out of their cars everywhere,” Hawaii state senator Angus McKelvey said.
“So we’re in desperate need of immediate relief now, even though the fires have subsided.”
Air travel update
Amid the devastation, 1,400 people slept at Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) Wednesday night, while airlines continue to adjust their schedules to help people get off the island.
“Last evening, we added nine flights & today, we’ve added six flights on top of our regular Honolulu- Kahului schedule to focus on bringing guests out of Maui as well as transporting water, food, cargo & other essential resources to Kahului Airport,” Hawaiian Airlines said on social media earlier this morning.
Around an hour ago (11am AEST), it stated it had “added three more flights to Honolulu from Kahului tonight, on top of the six previously mentioned, to support the ongoing evacuation of West Maui”.
Meanwhile, the Hawaii Tourism Authority has established an emergency assistance centre at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, in partnership with the American Red Cross, “to support visitors and residents being evacuated from Maui to Oʻahu due to the wildfires”.
“Up to 2,000 evacuees can be provided temporary accommodations at the Hawai‘i Convention Center until they are able to board flights to return home or secure their own hotel lodging,” it stated.
“If necessary, evacuees are allowed to spend the night if they cannot secure lodging. Water and food is being provided, as well as a shower, toiletries and clothes, if needed.”
US President Joe Biden, meanwhile, has signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Hawaiʻi, which will see more federal resources used to help recovery efforts in Maui and Hawaiʻi Island.
On Hawaiʻi Island, where fires also blazed, county officials have lifted all evacuation orders.
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority will continue to provide updates on its website.
