Maui Travel Updates

August 31, 2023

UPDATED: August 31, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. HST

In West Maui, recent wildfires have resulted in the devastating loss of loved ones, homes, cultural and historical sites, and businesses in Lahaina. We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt aloha to all those who have been affected by this tragedy. We also urge visitors throughout Hawai‘i to be especially mindful and respectful in our island home as our community continues through this extremely difficult time.
 
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is continuously coordinating efforts with federal, state and county emergency management officials, as well as our community partners, visitor industry and Global Marketing Team. We are also providing updates to our travel partners - airlines, accommodations, ground transportation companies, activity providers, travel agents, and wholesalers, as well as to local, national and international media - to ensure the public is kept informed.

HAWAI‘I TOURISM AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES $2.6 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR MAUI MARKETING RECOVERY PLAN
HTA's Board of Directors took decisive action today at its monthly board meeting to approve $2.6 million in funding to launch the Maui Marketing Recovery Plan, which is centered around a new Mālama Maui campaign with heartfelt messages shared by kama‘āina of Maui. The plan's focus is to rebuild responsible travel demand from the United States market to Maui in the wake of the devastating Lahaina wildfires. Watch the board meeting.

HTA staff and board members were on Maui over the past weeks to meet with residents and business owners and listen to them about the challenges they now face with visitor arrivals decreasing significantly since August 8. Visitors help to support the economy, supporting local shops, local restaurants, and local activities which ultimately aids in the island’s overall recovery efforts.

GOVERNOR GREEN: VISITORS SHOULD AVOID WEST MAUI FOR NOW, TRAVELERS WELCOME ELSEWHERE ON MAUI AND OTHER HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
On August 21, during his remarks alongside President Joe Biden and Hawaiʻi congressional delegation from the impacted area of Lahaina, Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green continued to emphasize the need to avoid West Maui at this time, as well as the importance of travel to the rest of Maui and the other Hawaiian Islands and the economic impact it has on the well-being of Maui and its recovery.

In alignment with Governor Green, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority urges visitors to refrain from going to West Maui (including Lahaina, Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, and Kapalua) as a means of respect to the people and places that have been lost in Lahaina during this devastating tragedy. The impacted area of Lahaina remains off limits to the public as the search and recovery efforts continue.

“No one can travel to West Maui right now. We will share when that is possible again. Only returning residents and authorized emergency relief workers should come here now. But all of the other areas of Maui… and the rest of Hawaiʻi are safe,” Governor Green said. “When you come, you will support our local economy and help speed the recovery of the people that are suffering right now.”

Governor Green’s sixth emergency proclamation, issued on August 19 remains in place, with all nonessential travel to West Maui being strongly discouraged for the duration of the proclamation (through October 17, 2023).

We encourage travelers to continue visiting other areas of Maui (including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, Pāʻia and Hāna), as well as the other Hawaiian Islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island.

For the latest Maui emergency management and recovery information, and how you can kōkua (help) the people of Maui, visit mauistrong.hawaii.gov.

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 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 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 [email protected].

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.

AIRLINE CANCELLATION & CHANGE POLICIES
Due to the wildfires and their impact on people’s travel plans, the major U.S. airlines serving Kahului Airport have implemented flexible travel policies for changing or canceling flights. For specific information check with your airline. The U.S. Department of Transportation has posted a page with links to the major carriers serving Kahului 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 Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. The link can be accessed here.

Due to capacity limitations in the system, please consider making financial rather than physical donations.

Q&A

Q: Which of the Hawaiian Islands are affected by the wildfires?
A: Wildfires have mainly affected Lahaina in West Maui. All non-essential travel to West Maui (including Lahaina, Nāpili, Kā‘anapali, and Kapalua) is strongly discouraged for the duration of Governor Greenʻs sixth emergency proclamation (through October 17, 2023) issued on August 19. Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings of future reservations as they are housing their employees and families, evacuees, and first responders.

Other areas on Maui (including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, Pāʻia and Hāna), as well as the other Hawaiian Islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island remain unaffected. We urge visitors to be especially mindful and respectful in our island home as our community continues through this tragedy.

Q: If I have a scheduled trip to Maui in the next few weeks, should I postpone my vacation?
A: Beyond West Maui, other areas on the island (including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, Pāʻia and Hāna), as well as the other Hawaiian Islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Hawaiʻi Island remain open. Non-essential travel to West Maui (including Lahaina, Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, and Kapalua) is strongly discouraged through October 17, 2023.

Q: If I’m on Maui, should I head to the airport without a confirmed flight?
A: While Kahului Airport remains open, it is strongly suggested that travelers check with their airline for any flight changes or cancellations, or for assistance with rebooking.

Q: If I am on Maui and in need of medical assistance, who can I contact? 
A: Please call or text 9-1-1 if you are in need of medical assistance.

Q: I can’t get in touch with my family members who are vacationing on Maui. Who can I contact to obtain more information?
A: Please contact Maui Emergency Management Agency at (808) 270-7285 or [email protected]. Also, visit MauiStrong.hawaii.gov for the latest general information.

Q: Where can people find the latest information and updates on the situation?
A: Official channels are the best sources for the latest updates, including the following:

• Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency: MauiStrong.hawaii.gov
• Maui County Emergency Management Agency: https://www.mauicounty.gov

NOTE: While multiple dictionary sources propose "Lāhainā" as the old pronunciation for the region, living kūpuna, mānaleo and recordings of mānaleo serve to demonstrate that the contemporary pronunciation is Lahaina. Heeding the call from the Lahaina community, HTA now uses the spelling Lahaina across all platforms.