Governor Green Urges Visitors To Forego Travel To West Maui
All non-essential travel to West Maui (including Lāhainā, Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, and Kapalua) is strongly discouraged through the month of August, Governor Josh Green said in his August 13 emergency proclamation.
Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings of future reservations
The travel industry is focused on supporting residents who lost loved ones, homes, their belongings, and businesses. Part of this island-wide recovery is ensuring that Maui residents who would like to continue working can do so.
Other areas of Maui (including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, and Hāna), and the other Hawaiian Islands, like Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island remain open.
The Governor also urged visitors to be especially mindful and respectful in our island home as our community continues through this tragedy.
West Maui Hotels To House Evacuees, Disaster Workers
At this time, hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings of future reservations and are housing their employees and families, evacuees, and first responders working on disaster recovery – well over 1,000 people so far with more to come.
More information on efforts to house evacuees can be found at www.mauistrong.hawaii.gov.
Vacation Rental Owners and Operators, Property Owners With Available Space Urged To List Units For Evacuees
Vacation rental owners, as well as anyone with available space, are being encouraged to make these accommodations available to temporarily house displaced West Maui residents.
The state has set up a referral program to make those connections possible to support West Maui residents in need of housing.
Learn more, offer your space, or look for housing at the Fire Relief Housing Program website.
A call center is also available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 808-587-0469, or email hawaiifirereliefhousing@hawaii.gov.
Airbnb.org has also announced an initiative to provide free, temporary stays to 1,000 people through its network of hosts. Details of that program will be announced in the coming days.
Access Restrictions In West Maui
The devastation in Lahaina is immense and unprecedented. The extent of the damage affecting residents, families and area businesses has yet to be fully understood.
Experts have warned that hazardous materials are likely present. The area most affected by the wildfires is off limits to the general public, and we urge visitors to refrain from traveling to West Maui at this time.
For updates, visit the County of Maui website: www.mauicounty.gov.
Assistance Center at Ke‘ehi Lagoon Closed On August 16
The Assistance Center at the Ke‘ehi Lagoon Memorial Hall in Honolulu will close at 12:00 p.m. HST on Wednesday, August 16.
Operated in partnership with HTA and the American Red Cross to support those evacuated from Maui due to the wildfires, the Assistance Center has served nearly 300 visitors and residents since the facility opened at the Hawai‘i Convention Center on August 9. The facility was recently relocated to Ke‘ehi Lagoon.
Evacuees were provided with temporary accommodations until they were able to board flights to return home or secure their own lodging. Water and food was also provided to the evacuees, as well as showers, toiletries and clothes, as needed, all free of charge.
Shuttles offering free transportation from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to the Ke‘ehi Lagoon Memorial Hall are running throughout the day and can be found outside of baggage claim 9 and baggage claim 20 at the airport.
How to Help
Anyone wanting to make donations to help communities and families recover on Maui can do so through the Maui Strong Fund established by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.
Go to https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong for more.
Due to capacity limitations in the system, please consider making financial rather than physical donations.
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority will continue to provide updates and answers to frequently asked questions on its website.
