Aug 9, 23, 1:30 pm
Last edit by: FlyinHawaiian
Maui County Statement on Leisure Travel to Maui Island [August 24, 2023]
VISITORS TO MAUI
For malihini, or visitors, to Maui please refrain from visiting West Maui or Kula. We greatly appreciate your understanding as we allocate appropriate resources toward recovery efforts for these affected communities. This includes: Lahaina, Napili, Kaʻanapali, Kapalua, Kahana, Kula, and Honokawai. Other areas of Maui remain open and welcome to visitors.
https://www.mauicounty.gov/
For those wishing to donate to recovery efforts:
HOW TO AVOID DONATION SCAMS
Hawaii State Attorney General Anne Lopez is urging people to use caution when choosing where to send money and donations to help communities affected by the Maui wildfires.
I know that the people of Hawaii will come to the aid of our families, neighbors and communities. We are already seeing various fundraising efforts being promoted on social media platforms and online. In moments of crisis, we all must be extra vigilant against bad actors who try to take advantage of peoples goodwill.
Advice from the state Department of the Attorney General includes:
>> Choose trusted, well-known charities. Beware of scammers who create fake charities during natural disasters. Always verify a charitys legitimacy through its official website. If someone is fundraising on behalf of a charity you are familiar with, the best practice is to donate directly to that charity.
>> Verify that the charity is legitimate. Any charity that solicits donations in Hawaii must be registered with the Department of the Attorney General, and its status can be verified at charity.ehawaii.gov/charity/search.html.
>> Use independent online sources. Verify that a charity is legitimate:
Alaska Airlines - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alas...l#post35484982
United Airlines - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...10-2023-a.html
VISITORS TO MAUI
For malihini, or visitors, to Maui please refrain from visiting West Maui or Kula. We greatly appreciate your understanding as we allocate appropriate resources toward recovery efforts for these affected communities. This includes: Lahaina, Napili, Kaʻanapali, Kapalua, Kahana, Kula, and Honokawai. Other areas of Maui remain open and welcome to visitors.
https://www.mauicounty.gov/
For those wishing to donate to recovery efforts:
HOW TO AVOID DONATION SCAMS
Hawaii State Attorney General Anne Lopez is urging people to use caution when choosing where to send money and donations to help communities affected by the Maui wildfires.
I know that the people of Hawaii will come to the aid of our families, neighbors and communities. We are already seeing various fundraising efforts being promoted on social media platforms and online. In moments of crisis, we all must be extra vigilant against bad actors who try to take advantage of peoples goodwill.
Advice from the state Department of the Attorney General includes:
>> Choose trusted, well-known charities. Beware of scammers who create fake charities during natural disasters. Always verify a charitys legitimacy through its official website. If someone is fundraising on behalf of a charity you are familiar with, the best practice is to donate directly to that charity.
>> Verify that the charity is legitimate. Any charity that solicits donations in Hawaii must be registered with the Department of the Attorney General, and its status can be verified at charity.ehawaii.gov/charity/search.html.
>> Use independent online sources. Verify that a charity is legitimate:
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search: apps.irs.gov/app/eos/
- Charity Navigator: charitynavigator.org/
- State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs business search: hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html
Alaska Airlines - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alas...l#post35484982
United Airlines - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...10-2023-a.html
Large Brush Fires Impacting Maui and Hawaii Islands (August 8, 2023)
Aug 9, 23, 9:23 am
#1
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 17,877
Large Brush Fires Impacting Maui and Hawaii Islands (August 8, 2023)
Yesterday, August 8 (Tue), several large brushfires occurred on the islands of Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii (with more widespread impact and damage on Maui at this time). These fires were fueled by unusually high winds due to Hurricane Dora and many continue to burn today. Initial reports are there was serious and significant damage to property in Lahaina Town, including boats in the harbor and the stores and restaurant around Front Street. There is also a large fire impacting the area around the Mauna Kea Resort area of the Big Island.
Visitors to Maui and the Kohala Coast of the Big Island should be advised and monitor news reports of street closures and evacuation orders.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/
https://www.khon2.com/
https://www.kitv.com/
https://mauinow.com/
https://www.mauinews.com/
https://www.staradvertiser.com/
Please join me in extending our pule and aloha to our Maui-based members, including LIH Prem and mtofell and the residents impacted.
Visitors to Maui and the Kohala Coast of the Big Island should be advised and monitor news reports of street closures and evacuation orders.
https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/
https://www.khon2.com/
https://www.kitv.com/
https://mauinow.com/
https://www.mauinews.com/
https://www.staradvertiser.com/
Please join me in extending our pule and aloha to our Maui-based members, including LIH Prem and mtofell and the residents impacted.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Aug 11, 23 at 9:49 am
Aug 9, 23, 10:11 am
#3
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
Programs: NEXUS/Global Entry, Delta, United, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, and Hertz
Posts: 17,877
I'm not looking forward to today's pictures from Lahaina. As many know, the Front Street area is largely old wood buildings that are tightly concentrated. I'm expecting that we've lost most of them along with the iconic 150 year-old Banyan Tree and boats in the harbor.
At this point, all of West Maui is closed to inbound traffic (highways closed at Maalaea and Waihee - people are being allowed to evacuate West Maui to safer parts of the island) and visitors are advised to avoid the area until further notice (impacting the Kaanapali and Kapalua hotels/resorts). There are also still large fires burning on other parts of the island.
At this point, all of West Maui is closed to inbound traffic (highways closed at Maalaea and Waihee - people are being allowed to evacuate West Maui to safer parts of the island) and visitors are advised to avoid the area until further notice (impacting the Kaanapali and Kapalua hotels/resorts). There are also still large fires burning on other parts of the island.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Aug 9, 23 at 12:21 pm
Aug 9, 23, 11:04 am
#4
formerly wchinchen
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Honolulu
Programs: AA CK, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 975
Pretty rough scenario with high winds and limited resources. We just had a small brush fire that closed down Kam Hwy to Notth Shore Oahu couple days ago. Biggest issue with Hawaii is road closures and limited transport options that cause a traffic jam right away if evacs are needed.
Aug 9, 23, 11:29 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA 1MM, AS MVPG, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 15,055
That was terrible news to wake up to this morning. Hard to imagine Maui without Lahaina’s front street. Hope everyone is okay and safe.
Aug 9, 23, 1:22 pm
#9
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
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Posts: 17,877
We can all hope so, but Governor Green has stated that "some loss of life is expected." I suspect he would not have said that if he didn't have direct knowledge of victims, pending identification and notification of next of kin.
https://mauinow.com/2023/08/08/halea...uli%ca%bbi-dr/
https://mauinow.com/2023/08/08/halea...uli%ca%bbi-dr/
Aug 9, 23, 1:29 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: SJC (AA PLT 2MM - Marriott LTT - Avis Preferred)
Posts: 1,994
So sad ... prayers especially for the residents in West / South Maui and Upcountry.
Updated map of the fires:
https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov...156.3,20.8,11z
Updated map of the fires:
https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov...156.3,20.8,11z
Aug 9, 23, 1:43 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,320
I think they are still trying to rescue people and stop the fires. I haven't seen any lists of businesses yet, but it sounds like nothing remains on Front Street in Lahaina. That's where people had to jump into the ocean to escape the flames.
Aug 9, 23, 1:48 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA 1MM, AS MVPG, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 15,055
Aug 9, 23, 2:00 pm
#15
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 29
Oh, man. That mental image of people jumping into the ocean to escape fire is so nauseating. It sounds like this is not contained at all. Just awful.
