by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 9:20 AM ET, Tue August 15, 2023
UPDATED: August 17, 2023
The latest update by the HTA, made on August 17, reaffirmed that while the rest of Maui is safe and open to visit, travel to West Maui, including Lāhainā, Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, and Kapalua, is highly discouraged at this time as the emergency proclamation from August 13 is still in effect, cutting off all nonessential travel to the region.
Lāhainā is currrently undergoing rescue and recovery efforts.
“Like we saw in the pandemic, decisions we made can affect everyone across the islands. So what we’re saying now is travel should not be to West Maui. But the other parts of Maui are safe,” said Governor Green. “And the rest of the state, of course, is also safe.”
“I'll be making a much broader announcement and have a broader discussion about this on Friday in a statewide address. But we want people to travel to the state to the extent that they're not impacting the hard work that these extraordinary people are doing (supporting disaster recovery),” the Governor said.
Travel to West Maui is discouraged through the month of August, according to Hawai’i Governor Josh Green in the most recent emergency proclamation following Maui’s devastating wildfire.
The Hawai’i Tourism Authority issued an update detailing the most current information for travelers.
"Visitors largely heeded the call to leave Maui in the early days of this unprecedented disaster," the update says. "In the weeks ahead, the collective resources and attention of the federal, state and county government, the West Maui community, and the travel industry must be focused on the recovery of residents who lost loved ones, homes, their belongings, and businesses."
Travel to the rest of the Hawaiian islands is still possible. Travelers heading to other parts of the island, including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea and Mākena, should contact their chosen accommodations to see if they can still stay there.
Access to West Maui is currently restricted due to safety reasons.
Hotels in West Maui have stopped booking future reservations and will continue to do so until electrical power, water and communications infrastructure has been repaired.
Hotels are instead housing their employees and their families, other evacuees and first responders. At this time, over 1,000 people are being housed in West Maui hotels.
Vacation rental owners and those with available spaces are encouraged to help house displaced West Maui residents. Potential sanctuary givers can learn more and sign up at the Fire Relief Housing Program’s website.
Additionally, Airbnb.org will provide free, temporary stays to 1,000 through its hosts.
If a traveler’s travel plans have been impacted by the recent fires, the major airlines that fly to Kahului Airport are offering flexible change and cancellation policies for impacted individuals.
If you’d like to aid in West Maui’s recovery, please donate to the Maui Strong Fund, established by the Hawai’i Community Foundation.
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