To let Maui heal and and care for those impacted by the fire, visitors are now asked to depart.
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To let Maui heal and and care for those impacted by the fire, visitors are now asked to depart.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Will Maui be seeking cleanup/ or Volunteer help??
My husband and I enjoyed our time with you.
I am looking to possibly help if I can.
Thank you,
Julie
The fire in Lahaina was unlike any that Maui has experienced. It Is complete devastation.
The fires did not reach South Maui residential and resort areas.
My South Maui contacts, locals who live with their families and work there, do not wish to lose their livelihoods and ability to pay their bills and face the risk of become homeless.
They do not understand the HTA or the Lt. Governor’s publishing positions in the national media, about keeping all visitors out of Maui, for an unspecified period of time, Less than 24 hours after the catastrophe occurred in Lahaina. How does that happen?
The benefit to the island in preventing visitors from coming to Maui and staying in Unaffected areas (like South Maui) does not seem well thought out.
There is a system keeping people from entering West Maui.
The airlines are cooperating in getting people out and off the island.
This is not the first time for wildfires on the island. Drought conditions on the island for the recent years and the removal of the sugar cane fields have contributed to higher frequency. Fire departments were able to successfully defend the perimeter between the fires and the residential areas of South Maui.
It will likely take years for survivors and families impacted to recover. Removal of jobs and income from the islands’ economic ecosystem do not seem to support a path to recovery.
Let’s please show respect for both sides of the story here.
How do we help?
You are all in my prayers we donated to Catholic charities and I pray you all can stay strong in Jesus and each other for healing! God Bless you all
Horrible, so sorry for everyone!!!
So sorry to see this happening in Maui. I saw boats still in dock at Lahani, shocking that the harbormaster did not move these boats to open water. There are relatively few fire stations and it seems an impossible task to take on this fire but I haven’t seen any trucks on the news reports. I wonder what if any plans were in place in case of an event like this? Lahani has a lot of wood structures on the water, it’s a shame no one thought to have pumps and hoses available to spray down buildings with volunteers. Does anyone know if the old tree in town survived?
Kirk,
Tonight’s CBS news showed that the tree was damaged but not gone.
Incredibly sad and tragic. Despite lots of non Hawaiian (including a couple of my) negative posts in recent BoH articles about government and tourism board opinions/new rules about tourists and some negative local feeling about outsiders, nobody deserves this. Hopefully lots of fed money and resources, supplied by all of us stateside, flows to help anyone effected in Maui and shows our country’s support for the state as an integral part of the union given the horrible losses. Also unfortunately this will likely be compounded for years by loss of tourism income, even to those on the island who escaped direct effects of this disaster. We have loved visiting Maui once or twice/year for over 20 years and have always enjoyed our times ther and will try and help support locals through this awful occurence.
**maui our prayers are with u… ohana in oahu is ready to help where we can… god hear our prayers
We have a trip planned August 15th, working with United to try to switch to another island has proved difficult. We are wondering if there is any word on flying into Maui and taking a hopper flight to Oahu or Kauai. Is this being discouraged as well?
Hi J.
The airport may well be overwhelmed so it doesn’t seem appropriate to plan to fly via Maui. Yesterday there were very significant flight delays and cancellations into and out of Maui. Today too, United has already cancelled 10 Maui flights today. Suggest finding another plan or postponing.
Aloha.
Thank you so much! That’s what I figured, but wanted a second opinion to make the case to cancel and reschedule the trip to the family.
Appreciate your diligence in updating everyone!
Unfortunately, the fire storm that developed in Lahaina was similar to the events in Paradise, CA. High winds, dry land, and wood structures. Without the sugar cane and pineapple fields, no protection from the fires. Maui strong will rebuild Lahaina.
Please contribute to local charities on Maui!🙏🏻🌴🌺🙏🏻
Just spoke with our condo company in South Kihei and they say all is fine and that they are not authorizing any changes to our August 29th trip to Kihei. I told him how most of the media are reporting that we should stay away until all the assessments are done. He indicated none of that will impact our stay since our condo is down in South Kihei and that we will only be kept out of the Lahaina area. We are happy to move our vacation over to Kauai but can’t afford to just walk away from several thousands of dollars. We were there the week the island shut down for COVID. I know he is wrong. Guess we will see you soon.
Hi Gary.
While the fire was in Lahaina, there is one very limited infrastructure for the entire island. The advice from the state is as follows: “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.”
It will be helpful when the state can be more clear and directive and we suspect that will occur in reasonably short order. But the priority is managing the unprecedented crisis first.
Aloha.
Yes, I explained all that to the company representative. Seems they do not agree
Hi Gary.
Thanks. We’ll have many more updates about this fluid and complicated situation.
Aloha.
It’s really a shame that they don’t want to work with you. They’re obviously looking out for their best interests.
On the other hand, it would be wise for you to do the same. Reports are coming in if people being stranded at the airport and I’m sure there are other stresses and strain yet to be reported.
Of course, the final decision is yours, but I would not voluntarily put my family in a situation like that. At the very least it would be uncomfortable for sure. At most, you may be putting your family’s lives in danger.
That sounds extreme, but we have to look at what already happened. People literally had minutes to jump into the ocean to save their lives. And that was only if you were able-bodied.
They’re still getting these fires under control and who’s to say more won’t break out until in the near future?
I would keep my family away from that potential danger.
I would also go to my credit card company and immediately file a dispute. If this wasn’t an obvious case of reversing the charges, I don’t know what is.
Anywho, I hope everything works out and that you all remain safe. Aloha.
We were supposed to arrive the 28th, and just called our hotel and they will not let us cancel. We don’t feel right going to vacation when the people of Maui are in such pain and trying to rebuild. So disappointed in this hotel. I do not understand why they are not following the requests of the State. We don’t want to walk away from thousands of dollars either….
I pray for Maui. One of my most loved places.
Thank you for posting this message BOH editors, you keeps us all highly informed! I am currently in Kihei waiting to get on my upcoming flight home. Over 4k visitors and residents are being flown to Oahu where the convention center is serving as an evacuation site. Given the already strained resources on the islands and out of respect for the people of Hawaii, I’ve cancelled my trip to Oahu as well. I hope others make that choice. I am going to say this too – airlines need to drop fares so people can get off the island of Maui. The fares are insane and are quite the burden for residents and visitors trying to leave. For fire impact families they are covering some costs but not for all.
Hi Mary.
Thanks for your update from Kihei.
Aloha.
Heartbroken to witness this devastation. My prayers are with the victims and the brave first responders. Our family sent donations, but it feels like so little when people are hurting so much. Please continue to keep us informed if there is anything more that we here on the mainland can do. Mahalo, Rob and Jeff, as we know you are hurting too.
Hi Maria.
Thanks. It feels like we are all in the same boat, both in Hawaii and on the mainland. We are wanting to find the best ways in which to. There will be more updates on that coming.
Aloha.
Someone needs to tell condo owners to let people out of their leases. I have travel plans September 5. We are going to try to cancel. They don’t need tourists there right now, and I do not want to be there either.
Maybe the entry fees collected in Oahu could be sent to help Maui. After all, it’s only collected to manage tourism I read. It’s a terrible situation that no one should have to endure.
God bless all of Maui, it’s people, the beautiful land and historic and cultural buildings that have been destroyed by the horrible fires in Maui. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you! 🙁
Aloha family of Maui. Everyone is in our thoughts and prayers. Maui No Ka Oi
Much Love from the mainland family’s
Aloha
I am horribly saddened by this fire. Sending love to all affected.
Would it be helpful to ask visitors to leave clothing and such behind for those residents that lost everything?
Rather than clothing they are asking for cash donations. You can always donate clothing to Salvation Army, Goodwill or Boys & Girls Club. They are better equipped to handle clothing. Maui Food Bank is another good option and accept cash. mauifoodbank.org/contact/
Sitting on hwy 30 just past the Maui ocean center. There are sparks coming from under an insulator on a cross member. Please send help. We are waiting to go get our stuff from our condo in order to leave.
We lived on Maui for 7 years. Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends there and all pf Maui.
Here is my question: Could this tragedy have been prevented? Was the potential for a wildfire commonly known by the local authorities as is the case with Big Island? There was some warning about the high winds caused by the hurricane. Could Maui have been spared this tragedy with a little foresight and planning? Does Maui even have a forest service that is supposed to respond to situations like this?
I would ask the same question. But with the high winds, embers are blown great distances. I saw nighttime drone video footage of Lahaina burning and it even appeared that boats anchored in the harbor were aflame. Embers in the wind would have done that, and they are the most trouble in any firefight.
However, I would also say that maybe more prescribed burns on calmer days could have reduced the problem. Here in Florida in 1998, we experienced massive wildfires that covered many counties within the state. Huge swaths of the state were burning ferociously and seemed to spread everywhere. In the aftermath, the lesson learned was that prescribed and controlled burns were not used frequently enough. The forest service has since conducted prescribed burns on a frequent basis on millions of acres of land annually to clear out the dead underbrush that typically stokes wildfires.
Dear RP: How does one plan for anticipated winds of 20-30 mph and then be forced to endure 85 mph that came down Wahikuli with an unanticipated voracious velocity? The 85 mph winds prevented helicopter buckets from being able to dump water on the raging fires without also putting them in harms way. Uncontrollable wildfires are a fact of life everywhere on the planet. A little more planning? I think the question that would be most helpful at this time, would be what would it take for a little more compassion like many of the responders? Thank you.
Aloha Pua,
Please don’t misunderstand my post. I was not trying to offend or show a lack of compassion in any way.
Of course my heart goes out to the people of Maui. I am very saddened by these events.
To answer your question, I wasn’t referring to planning for the high winds that you mentioned as they are bearing down on you. That wouldn’t make much sense.
I was referring to the very thing that Timothy W. mentioned in his comment in response to mine.
Many states do what they can to prevent wildfires like the one Maui experienced and have robust preventative programs for that purpose.
I was asking if Maui has such a program as well and if they don’t, why not? Especially if they have performed studies and know of the potential of the devastation that Maui has just experienced.
My comment was directed at preventing the loss of life first, property second. And any lives and livelihoods in the aftermath that is yet to be seen. Then there would be no need to mourn as we all are now.
Again, my heart goes out to everyone, including visitors that were caught in this utter tragedy. Aloha.
God bless those affected, the community and first responders. 🙏 it is I’m sure an extremely difficult time for many. We on Oahu are praying for your loss. We grieve with you.
Hoping and prayer for the best for residents of Maui and Kohala. So sorry for what has happened.
An outrigger paddler from Arizona. Please advise how we can help.
Hi D g.
Here’s one way to donate to respected charities. https://www.pledge.to/help-hawaii-wildfire-victims.
Aloha.
I would never have guessed Hawaii has wildfires until I went for a hike on the northwestern coast of Oahu. I was surprised to find vegetation similar to what we have in California which means it is much drier then the other side of the island. The authorities are dead on about keeping people away. Sometimes we get idiots out here who try to fly drones over active fires. This shuts down all firefighting aviation making the situation far more unnecessarily dangerous. Where we live fire is just part of life, especially in the fall. With all the rain we got this winter we are surely due for a big one here in San Diego. Stay safe everybody I will keep ya’ll in my thoughts.
Heartbreaking for Maui and its people. To everyone going back to look for things please be very careful burn sites are very toxic please check with officials for safe ways to re-enter the area. Hope Love and healing ❤️🩹
I have upcoming travel plans to Kihei in September, would love to change them, but as of today, the condo I booked is not refunding if travel is more than 14 days out. I cannot afford to throw away 2 grand, and try and book something else. Maybe these unethical companies should work with their customers if they want future business. At least the airlines are working with people.
Hi Greg.
We get it. We’ll have an update that will include that issue coming up.
Aloha.
Aloha Greg,
If I may suggest, have you brought this up with your credit card company? If the condo owner doesn’t want to cooperate, you may be able to get get your money back from them, due to the circumstances. It’s worth a shot.
I think there is a time limit with that, but may look at that next.
Aloha
I’m sorry about the lack of consideration from the rental owners. Have you thought about filing a dispute with your credit card company?
This might not be the time to bring this up and it might sound callous but let’s bring back the Ferry. If we had some now Maui would have a major tool for movement, evacuation and to take the burden off of Maui’s only airport.
Ha, what a boondoggle that was. Millions wasted and nobody wanted them. I think those were sold off long ago to somewhere in the Carribean
This is so sad… just confirmed what I feared… Pioneer Inn gone.
Of course Lahaina will recover but the loss of historical sites is especially painful… Rob and Jeff please do keep us posted of the best ways to help
Seeing the videos/pictures coming out of Maui made me cry for all affected. I can only imagine what they’re going through. I dealt with the after effects from 2 hurricanes that did a lot of damage to my house when I lived on FL’s east coast back in 2004, but at least we had a couple of days’ warning. Taking it one day at a time is all one can do. My heart goes out to all of you in Hawaii.
I agree with Eldo that it is important to curtail tourism to West Maui. Continued tourism to South Maui and Central Maui will help to support the island economy of the County in coming months. I trust that FEMA and the other Fed government agencies will ship in the medical supplies that Eldo believes may be in short supply. Today the situation is dire. Tomorrow there will be more resources arriving. Bless you all on Maui.
Hi Christine.
There will be updates as soon as travel to unaffected parts of Maui can resume.
That is not the case now and visitors should change any near term plans!
Aloha.
It’s been a harrowing 24 hours in Lahaina. We still don’t know if our home in Kahoma Village made it through the night. The police won’t let us into Lahaina to see if there’s anything left? From what I understand, it looks like a nuclear bomb went off and destroyed Lahaina.
We drove the north side of the island to spend tonight in Wailea. Our plan is to take one day at time, and hope for the best.
Hi Channing.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Please keep us posted.
Aloha.
Thoughts and prayers to all of you that have been affected. It absolutely breaks my heart to see the few pictures that have been available. We were only there once in the fall of 21. I wanted to be someplace different to celebrate our anniversary and my sister’s birthday. It was the first since she died in 20. I couldn’t have made a better choice. Between the daily rainbows and watching turtles from our lanai it truly helped thru a difficult time. But I fell in love with Lahaina. I love the history and the quirky mall. I pray you are one of lucky ones and that somehow your unique town is able to regain its charm🌈
Thank you for the updates!
My heart goes out to all!
We have a trip scheduled for November, will be monitoring your website for info.
Mahalo!
The Kohala Coast of the Big Island covers a very large area.
At the present time, there has been no damage to the Mauna Lani or Waikoloa área. I would encourage anyone planning to visit either of those areas to proceed with their plans.
Maui has always been my favorite place. My heart is broken for its people. I went through a house fire-total loss, but nowhere near the devastation as this. Prayers are being prayed.
Thank you for posting this. I would just appreciate help.. visitors are being told to leave yet resorts aren’t providing transportation to OGG. No cars are available & cars are only allowed out.. so I’m curious how do they expect visitors to leave?! Someone better figure some thing out.. shuttles? Buses? Please. Desperate mom wants kids home.
Aloha BOH,
Thank you as always for reporting this devastating news. I’m curious, does the Governor, Lt. Governor or Mayor of Maui have the power to tell the airlines to temporarily ban travel to the island?
I hope that the HTA isn’t going to rely on people to voluntarily not travel there. I already saw a news report of a guy on an airplane saying that he was originally going to stay with someone in Lahaina, but can’t reach them, for obvious reasons.
He said that he’s still going to travel to Maui and sleep in his rental car. He doesn’t seem be the sharpest tool in the shed.
He, most likely, isn’t the only visitor thinking, “Well, the fire isn’t covering the whole island, so why interrupt my travel plans?” Yah, not so smart.
My heart is broken for you .So much devastion ,when I come to Maui, I feel like I’m home .My husband and me have enjoyed so many happy times in Maui .We had our 25th wedding vow renewal in Keihe. He is no longer with me , but the memories are there .Mahalo , thanks for sharing your beautiful islands with us .I will be praying for you. Wish I could help .Aloha Karen
My heart is aching for the residents if Maui first and second for the loss id so many beautiful places that I am fortunate enough to have memories of but that others will never see, because they are now gone.
Please let us know where we can best direct our resources to help Maui recover from this horrific event. Any money we may have spent on a trip there this year will be donated instead.
I think Islands have been very accommodating and generous to world tourism. They need a break from the traffic. The island is in state of emergency. Please don’t travel there until invited back. Thank you. Donate would be kind
My family and I are currently in South Kihei as I write this. We are scheduled to fly home tomorrow and are hoping we are still able to. It was heartbreaking to see many of the places we had all been just a few days ago destroyed and no longer there as well as all the homes and businesses destroyed. Our heart is with the people of Maui both before, during and will be long after this.
All we can do from afar, whether the next island or next continent for most is wait and see what we can do to help as soon as possible. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maui. That is Aloha