Hawaiian Authorities Ask Tourists to Stay Away from Maui

Photo: The Guardian

As the rescue and recovery effort continues in the aftermath of wildfires that swept portions of the island of Maui, the local tourism board and airlines are asking travelers to reconsider their travel to the island. 

“Vacation travel to West Maui is strongly discouraged for the near future. Visitors in West Maui have largely heeded the call to leave the island. About 46,000 people have flown out of Kahului Airport since Wednesday,” the Hawaii Tourism Authority shared in a news release.

This urgent request comes as the death toll of those killed in the fire tragically rose to 96, marking it as the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century, according to The Associated Press. A similar message is being sent from Hawaiian Airlines, which is encouraging travelers to reconsider traveling to Maui. 

“Due to the ongoing wildfires on Maui, an emergency proclamation has been issued in the State of Hawaii, and all non-essential travel to Maui is strongly discouraged,” Hawaiian Airlines shares on their homepage.

Hawaiian Airlines is also offering travel waivers, and rebooking assistance to passengers with travel plans to the affected area. The airline is asking for people to postpone calling the telephone numbers unless they have immediate needs to help accommodate urgent concerns.

American Airlines is waiving change fees for flights to Hawaii (Honolulu, Kahului / Maui, Kona, and Lihue / Kauai) for travel between August 9 through August 18. 

United Airlines has also issued a travel advisory for travel to Maui between August 11, 2023 and August 31, 2023 for tickets purchased before August 9, 2023. 

Delta Air Lines has provided a travel waiver for flights to Maui between August 9, 2023 through August 20, 2023 with rebooking by August 31, 2023. 

Source: Travel + Leisure