Hawaii requests that visitors to Maui delay their travel plans

If you have plans to visit Maui soon, the state of Hawai'i’s tourism board is urging you to rethink your trip to allow resources to support Hawai'ians affected by the devastating wildfires.

Wildfires are raging on both Maui and the Kohala Coast of Hawai‘i Island. Many roads are closed, and evacuations are ongoing due to the deadly wildfires that have claimed at least 36 lives and devastated the historic town of Lahaina.

While the Kahului airport on Maui is still operational, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority is advising tourists currently on the island to depart and those with immediate travel plans to Maui to postpone their trips, so resources can be directed to assist the local community.

What actions should I take if I have a scheduled trip to Hawaii?

It varies depending on which part of Hawaii you intend to visit. The Hawai’i Tourism Authority is offering updated travel information on its website. They urge current visitors to depart and those planning to visit West Maui in the coming weeks to think about rescheduling their trips.

If you have travel plans for other areas of Maui or the Kohala Coast of Hawaiʻi Island, which is also facing wildfires, the tourism agency advises you to reach out to your hotel for the latest updates on how your plans may be affected.

However, if you’re planning to visit other islands – including Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and areas of Hawaiʻi Island outside the Kohala Coast – your travel plans remain unaffected by the current advisory.

If you're set to fly to Maui or any other part of the islands, be sure to check with your airline for any changes or cancellations to your flight. Update your contact details – including your phone number and email – and consider downloading the airline's app for the latest information.

Many airlines are permitting customers to modify their tickets without extra fees. For example, Southwest is allowing travelers who had plans to go to Maui to rebook to other destinations on islands in Hawaii that aren’t affected by the emergency.

Additionally, consult your travel insurance provider or credit card company to find out what coverage they offer for rescheduling your travel plans.

How can I assist the local community?

The most effective way to help the local community right now is to make a financial donation to established local organizations that are actively supporting those affected by the wildfires.

Dinogo Planet and The Points Guy have joined forces to contribute $25,000 to the Maui Strong Fund. If you’d like to help as well, you can find more information about the organization and make a donation here.