Essential Information on Maui’s Wildfire Recovery and How Travelers Can Contribute

Just days after devastating wildfires swept through parts of Hawai‘i and Maui, the situation in western Maui, which faced the greatest destruction, is truly heart-wrenching.

“The town of Lāhainā has been obliterated,” stated Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green in his latest emergency proclamation released on Sunday. Situated along Maui's western coast, just south of Ka‘anapali and Kapalua beaches, the true extent of the fires' impact is becoming clearer as they begin to diminish.

The Lāhainā fire has become the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in over a century, with the death toll rising to 96. Officials have cautioned that the process of locating and identifying the deceased is still in its early phases, as reported by the Associated Press reported.

“The wildfires have resulted in substantial loss of life and property in Maui County. Thousands are currently without adequate shelter,” Governor Green remarked. The state has initiated a Hawaiʻi Fire Relief Housing Program to assist displaced residents of Maui in finding available accommodations.

“We will need to provide housing for thousands. We urge community members to offer their extra rooms, ‘ohana units, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), vacation rentals, or any safe accommodations they can make available,” said Governor Green.

Is Maui currently closed to tourists?

Travelers are being encouraged to delay their plans to visit west Maui for the next several weeks and months as recovery efforts progress. Most visitors present in Maui during the wildfires have “largely responded to the call to leave the island,” according to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, which noted that approximately 46,000 people have departed from Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) since Wednesday.

Hotels in West Maui have paused future bookings, and many are accommodating employees, evacuees, and first responders instead of tourists.

“As we work to restore essential services like power and communication, visitors are advised to avoid reaching out to west Maui accommodations for reservation changes until conditions improve,” stated the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

The properties impacted include the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka‘anapali, both of which have posted advisories on their websites indicating temporary closures. The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa will remain closed until September 5. Additionally, the Outrigger Hospitality Group announced that its 18-room bed-and-breakfast, the Plantation Inn in historic Lāhainā Town, “has suffered irreparable damage due to the catastrophic wildfires.”

Travel to other Hawaiian Islands such as Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island is currently unaffected, according to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

Maui Travel Update

Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui is still operational, as confirmed by Hawai‘i’s Department of Transportation. However, the airport is providing shelter for evacuees and numerous travelers stranded due to the disaster, as reported by Maui County.

In response to the wildfires and resulting devastation, all major U.S. airlines have implemented travel waivers. While most major carriers eliminated most change fees (except for Basic Economy fares) during the pandemic, a fare difference will typically still apply unless an official emergency waiver is issued.

Hawaiian Airlines has implemented a waiver for all flights to and from Maui’s Kahului Airport from August 9 to August 31, 2023. The state airline is also operating additional flights to assist travelers and evacuees in leaving Maui, offering seats for just $19 through August 20, 2023, to facilitate urgent travel.

Southwest Airlines has notified its customers that those with reservations to, from, or via Kahului through September 4 can rebook in their original class of service or travel standby within 14 days of their original travel date at no extra cost. For canceled flights, customers can request a refund. Additionally, travelers can switch their Kahului flights for options to Hilo and Kona (Hawai‘i), Honolulu (O’ahu), or Lihue (Kauaʻi) at no additional charge.

Passengers booked to travel to or from Maui, O’ahu, Hawai‘i, or Kauaʻi with American Airlines will have their change fee waived until August 18 for any travel class if they choose to reschedule or cancel their flight.

United Airlines has issued a travel alert allowing travelers to Kahului through September 16 to reschedule without paying a fare difference for flights departing by November 18, 2023. Tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked, or travelers can choose to fly to Honolulu, Kona, or Lihue instead of Maui. Passengers can also cancel and keep the credit or request a refund, according to the airline.

Delta Air Lines has a fare difference waiver for flights scheduled to and from Maui through August 31, 2023, provided that new flights occur by that same date. After August 31, a fare difference may apply.

Lāhainā's cherished 150-year-old banyan tree, severely scorched yet still standing strong

Lāhainā's cherished 150-year-old banyan tree suffered severe burns during the wildfires but remains upright.

Image courtesy of the Office of Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green

Ways to Support Maui

For those witnessing the devastation from Dinogo and seeking ways to help, numerous organizations have stepped in to provide aid and support.

American Red Cross

To contribute: https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/

Red Cross teams are actively present in Hawai‘i, facilitating shelters for those displaced, including thousands of residents and tourists evacuated to O‘ahu, providing them with food and emotional support. “Once it is safe, Red Cross teams will assist with damage assessments and the distribution of relief supplies,” stated the global aid organization regarding its wildfire relief efforts in Hawai‘i.

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

To contribute: https://www.memberplanet.com

This nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Native Hawaiians is raising funds “for ‘ohana affected by the devastating wildfires on Maui.”

Maui Food Bank

To contribute: mauifoodbank.org/donate

The Maui Food Bank, which provides food to those in need across Maui County, is fundraising to support residents displaced by the wildfires.

Maui Strong Fund

To contribute: https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering a fair and thriving Hawai‘i, has established the Maui Strong Fund to offer shelter, food, financial aid, and additional services to residents in need.