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Current Travel Advisories, Restrictions, & Updates

What are the travel restrictions & requirements in hawaii, last updated: may 17, 2024.

We've covered all of the latest Hawaii travel news and announcements below, including the steps travelers should follow to safely visit Hawaii in the future.

Maui Travel Updates

Lahaina remains closed.

Lahaina will remain fully closed to the public until further notice out of respect to the town's residents. County, state, and federal emergency responders continue with efforts to identify victims and the missing and conduct clean-up efforts of debris and hazardous materials resulting from the wildfires.

— article continued below —

Garden of Eden - East Maui

Before you visit…

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority advises travelers to check with individual accommodations, activities and businesses in West Maui for their availability and hours of operation. As travelers return to Maui after the devastating August wildfires, they will help to sustain jobs, keep businesses open, and support the community.

We urge all visitors to be especially mindful and respectful in the islands as the community continues through this tragedy.

Maui Wildfires

In August 2023, wildfires damaged a significant portion of West Maui, many lives were lost, and 2,200+ structures were destroyed - making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in over a century and Hawaii's worst natural disaster in modern history .

More information can be found on our August 2023 Maui wildfire page.

Remainder of West Maui Reopened November 1, 2023

In late September 2023, Maui's Mayor, Richard Bissen, released brand-new details about how the island will go about reopening the resort areas surrounding Lahaina, which will remain closed indefinitely.

The plan initially involved three phases, but the Mayor reopened the rest of West Maui on November 1, 2023 .

Latest Pandemic Developments in Hawaii

Last updated: december 16, 2022.

At this time, there are no pandemic travel-related restrictions for domestic travelers, and neither the Governor's office nor island mayors have indicated they plan to reintroduce any restrictions.

Travelers can check the state of Hawaii's confirmed cases here .

'Safe Travels' program & mask mandate both officially ended March 26, 2022

According to Governor Ige, the state of Hawaii dropped the 'Safe Travels' program for domestic U.S. travelers at midnight on March 25, 2022 . Governor Ige has also announced the indoor mask mandate has ended as of March 26, 2022 . Masks may still be required on public transportation, such as buses, and within Hawaii’s airports.

That now means domestic travelers to Hawaii will no longer need to fill out online forms via Safe Travels, no longer have to worry about QR codes, no longer have to provide proof of vaccination, and ultimately, there won't be any additional requirements or restrictions to fly to Hawaii on a domestic flight.

On the county level, the County of Kauai, the County of Maui, and the County of Hawaii have repealed their COVID-19 Emergency Rules. The City and County of Honolulu's Safe Access Oahu program ended on Sunday, March 6, 2022.

" Safe Travels is one part of a multi-layer approach to COVID safety. The program played a key role in keeping Hawaii's residents safe before vaccinations were widely available, and during the surges we've seen through this pandemic ," said John De Fries, Hawaii Tourism Authority President and CEO. " Bringing the Safe Travels program to a close reflects the progress we have made as a state , and Governor Ige’s decision is a good balance of maintaining reasonable health precautions while reopening our society and economy ."

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Updated: Baffling Maui Travel Advice Just Released By State of Hawaii

A Maui travel update received this week from Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) attempted to be less baffling than before but did not entirely succeed. The new directive adds information for South Maui travel, which had been omitted previously, and does not go beyond August for West Maui visitors.

We received an update from the state late yesterday, but there was no further clarification from Governor Green as had been expected last night. Thus at the moment, the latest is as follows:

“All non-essential travel to West Maui (including Lāhainā, Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, and Kapalua) is strongly discouraged through the month of August ,” Governor Josh Green said in his latest emergency proclamation. “But the other parts of Maui are safe.”

Guidance beyond August has not been provided thus far, and visitors for dates starting in two weeks have no word from the state. At the same time, the HTA said things including the following.

“Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings of future reservations. While efforts are underway to fully restore electrical power, municipal water, and communications, visitors are encouraged to refrain from attempting to reach West Maui accommodations for reservation adjustments until the situation stabilizes.”

“In alignment with Governor Green, the Hawaii Tourism Authority urges visitors to refrain from going to West Maui (including Lahaina, Napili, Kaanapali, and Kapalua) as a means of respect to the people and places that have been lost in Lahaina during this devastating tragedy.”

We are aware that at least some West Maui accommodations hope to reopen to visitors soon.

Update from HTA for visitors to Maui (other than West Maui).

The state said that “Visitors with travel plans to other parts of Maui (including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, and Mākena) should reach out to their accommodations to ensure they can still be hosted.”

There is no guidance prohibiting or discouraging visiting the vast majority of Maui. The messaging from the HTA and the governor has switched to being pro-travel to the rest of Maui. But even then, there will be questions.

The most recent announcement from the Hawaii Tourism Authority on Maui travel planning followed the devastating wildfires earlier this month. That latest announcement provided some further clarification but also left many questions. Visitors remain uncertain about all Maui travel, as is reflected in hundreds of recent comments we’ve received. It has also been reported that travel to Maui may be down by as much as 80% following the fires. We will give you our best suggestions based on the current messaging and what we know.

All of our focus continues to remain on those killed and displaced in the still unfolding devastation of Lahaina. There are no words to adequately express the pain and suffering that continues to hang over Maui and all of Hawaii.

Access to West Maui as highway has been reopened.

After the prior road closure due to the fire, limited access for personnel, incuding resort, first responders, medical, utility, county, supply transport, and volunteers was implemented.

Then last Wednesday, the Honoapiilani Highway which provides access to West Maui from Maalaea was reopened. to all vehicles from 6 am until 10 pm daily. Gov. Green said on announcing the reopening, “Anyone will be able to travel that road.”.

Prior advice from HTA to avoid Maui travel entirely is gone.

Several days ago, the state’s Hawaii Tourism Authority said, “People with non-essential travel plans to Maui are strongly discouraged from traveling to Maui at this time. Visitors who have plans to travel to Maui in the coming weeks are being asked to reschedule their trip for a later time. The island’s resources need to be dedicated to emergency response.”

But in this latest directive , that changed, with only West Maui being mentioned for no travel.

“Visitors Urged to Forego Travel Plans to West Maui .” Hawaii Tourism Authority. 8/12/23.

HTA also said, “In the weeks ahead, the collective resources and attention of the federal, state, and county government, the West Maui community, and the travel industry must be focused on the recovery of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.”

“Visitors with plans to stay in West Maui in the coming weeks and months are urged to consider rescheduling their travel plans for a later time when the overall situation has improved for area residents.” Hawaii Tourism Authority. 8/12/23.

What does the latest HTA directive mean?

Our sense from discussions with multiple sources regarding travel to West Maui is as follows: It would be best to consider placing travel plans for the later this year on hold, at least for now, pending further information, even though the latest release only mentions August.

While the state has continued to refer to “weeks and months” of work ahead, it will undoubtedly take much longer than envisioned to get West Maui going again. That, as we realize, the scope of the devastation has barely been revealed, with so much to come. And even after that happens, the infrastructure for visitors may not be restored soon.

The often considered to be repugnant Hawaii Tourism Authority continues to never be clear in its messaging. It is no wonder that much of the state of Hawaii has long been ready to eliminate the Hawaii Tourism Authority entirely, and we will be surprised if that doesn’t ultimately occur. Those Hawaii residents who rely on employment within the tourism industry could face serious consequences if the state doesn’t get clear soon regarding better messaging about South Maui’s critical travel industry. Hawaii residents and Hawaii visitors both want to know what the future holds.

West Maui hotels are no longer accepting reservations.

“Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings of future reservations,” said Hawaii Tourism.

As hotels return online, they must house employees, families, and others dislocated by the fires and those on Maui, including first responders and others providing the range of critical help needed.

Do not try to reach West Maui hotels and vacation rentals.

The HTA has said that, “While efforts are underway to restore basic services, like power and communications, visitors are encouraged to refrain from attempting to reach West Maui accommodations for reservation adjustments until the situation improves.” We suggest checking for updates on accommodation websites.

There is no additional time frame being discussed yet, as efforts remain focused on finding the bodies of those who perished in the fire first. That process is underway, with much work to do even well over a week after the fires.

Absence of communication regarding West Maui after August.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is, at this time, no longer advising visitors on whether or not to travel to West Maui after August. That information will, by necessity, be forthcoming and perhaps quite soon. As for the rest of Maui, as mentioned previously, those residents who rely on employment within the tourism industry will face serious consequences if South Maui’s critical travel industry doesn’t resume. And both Hawaii residents and Hawaii visitors want to know what the future holds, as much as possible under these catastrophic circumstances.

Travel to the other Islands is not impacted.

Those visitors planning on coming to the Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu are not affected by the conditions on Maui. Having said that, two of your editors are currently on Oahu, and the evacuation of visitors from Maui to Oahu has resulted in very challenging travel conditions and overcrowding. That, however, should subside as those visitors return to the mainland.

Updated 8/19/23 10 am.

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241 thoughts on “Updated: Baffling Maui Travel Advice Just Released By State of Hawaii”

With much Disdain towards the Hawaiians that have been attempting to chase tourists and Vacationers away from all of the State of Hawaii, not only the Island County of Maui, has anyone actually considered that the online presence are only a tiny, immature, amount of Hawaiian Residents? Even those who are telling, even threatening at times, to Stay Away from Maui are probably not from Maui, rather the same people demanding tourists stop visiting Oahu or the Big Island. Maybe these people are some that have moved from Hawaii to Las Vegas, Oregon, or Washington State. How do we know for certain? I am a “Transplant” from where I initially was born and spent many years, our Family had well over 200 years in that area. I would Never attempt to keep people away from there so that I would Feel Better about it, or Ridiculous Fantasies of reclaiming it. There’s more afoot in all of this, for the Most Part pandering on the Suffering and Loss of those on Maui. I truly Pray for those of Maui, recovering from this will not be easy or enjoyable, satisfaction of rebuilding their lives is the thing that may bring them some joy and togetherness in the end. Let the Haters and Neighsayers play their games to the Detriment of Themselves!

AJ where did you stay? South Maui or West Maui? Thanks

We stayed in South Maui, in particular at a resort in Wailea.

There a few locals on this message board that continue to spew garbage and guilt for anyone planning to visit. My family and I are wrapping up our 10 day stay today. Maui residents and locals need tourist. My resort is down to 17% occupancy. Employees are loosing hours and in some cases being laid off altogether. No one was rude or otherwise during our stay. They treated us with all the respect and dignity we deserved. They were so happy that we made the trip. For all those reading, please don’t cancel your trips.

We ignored the noise and traveled to Maui (Wailea). And we are glad we did. Residents here are hating the fact that tourists are canceling. My resort is at 30% occupancy with over 800 cancellations. Hours are being cut, people are out of work, Uber drivers don’t have rides. We have been here for a week and did our part with respect to visiting local restaurants, over tipping. West side is off limits; but the rest is 100% okay to visit and travel to. They need us right now!

I am really confused as to what we should do. We were planning on Maui at Thanksgiving, but now I’m assuming that where we would’ve stayed at a resort is being used for displaced residents? I go between feeling and like the money tourism would bring to the local economy versus staying always out of respect for the people that have lost so much and are grieving. Any other thoughts on this? Thanks!

Hi Marilyn.

We suggest you reach out to the hotel to inquire.

I am confused about all the comments about Mainlanders bringing supplies with them. Fema is on the ground, Salvation Army is on the ground, POTUS is there and said he would make sure needs were being fulfilled. I spoke with a friend who lives in West Maui and said that there is so much food and other things. I read an account by a person in Lahaina who said she could eat 30,000 calories a day for free if she wanted to. Where shall we bring these supplies and what specifically is needed?

We have late September/early October reservations in Kaanapali with a local Lahaina property management group. With all due sensitivity and respect (they lost almost everything in the fire) we inquired about travel at that time and even suggested we reschedule to a later time or even cancel, clearly leaving it to their discretion. The response was to leave things as they were for now, and we were thanked for our support in not abandoning our trip so soon. The messages ended with “Glad you are coming.” If this indeed happens, our thoughts have shifted from “a next visit to our favorite place” to “what we can do to help” once our feet are on the ground. We can’t be alone in those thoughts. The Maui/Aloha spirit binds people even far away on the mainland.

Who is going to pay for people to stay in the West Maui vacation rentals? They rent for $3,000 per week and up. Also, I have not heard anything about the land owners of the properties that burned having to remove all hazardous waste and soil contamination. This usually costs $ 40 to 100 thousand dollars per parcel before rebuilding can occur. I see more and more mishandling of this crisis by inept Hawaiian Government Agencies. This is going to be a growing disaster.

Please?best address ? to send donations to help*clothes,bedding,food,toiletries,etc.??ThankYou*we want to help these poor people get back in their feet.

The donations most needed and being asked for are financial via charities such as those listed at the top of every page on the website.

Prayers for all n Maui Hawaii is a beautiful state will keep you all in my prayers

It is so sad what happened to Maui. We were planning on going in November. Since we have to cancel, it’s a shame that we are getting charged a penalty by American Airlines and Hawaiian Air. Any help or comments would be appreciated

Michelle – we have reservations for Napili at Thanksgiving and aren’t planning to cancel just yet. We want to see how things play out in the next few weeks. I think the biggest issue is whether the infrastructure (water and electric) are up and running. Also, many of the hotels are housing displaced residents and employees. Hawaiian Airlines has a pretty generous waiver policy. hawaiianairlines.com/alerts/travel-waiver-maui-fires

Why do you have to cancel? Can’t you just change your travel dates with the airlines to a later date, if you need to?

We have plans for 10 days in January. I would love to come and support the island if possible. I love Hawaii and am so saddened by the loss of lives and livelihood of residents.

Our hearts are crushed for the people of Maui who have lost loved ones, homes, jobs, property, as well as the beautiful, historic area of Lahaina, where we have spent so many happy times. The people there, whether natives or transplants, have always been as beautiful and welcoming as the island itself. We have made donations to several organizations there and will continue to do so. Maui is in our prayers and forever in our hearts! Maui No Ka ‘Oi! God Bless! Thx

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Maui Travel Updates

Maui Recovery

On August 8, 2023, wildfires resulted in the devastating loss of loved ones, homes, cultural and historical sites, and businesses in Lahaina, located in West Maui. 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 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.

While some fire-affected areas remain fully closed to the public, the island of Maui and the rest of the Hawaiian Islands are open and encouraging mindful visitation.

Latest News

April 30, 2024

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Launches New Campaigns to Stimulate Meaningful Travel Demand

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has launched new targeted campaigns as part of its global marketing and visitor education efforts. The purpose of these initiatives is to reinvigorate responsible travel demand from key markets around the world to the Hawaiian Islands. 

“The People. The Place. The Hawaiian Islands.” uplifts Hawai‘i’s musicians, lei makers, chefs, farmers, culturalists, fashion designers, and others in their sectors that rely on a vibrant visitor industry. In Japan, the “Beautiful Hawai‘i” and “Yappari Hawai‘i (“It’s Gotta be Hawai‘i”) campaigns are already underway with an integrated mix of digital and TV advertising, social media, earned media, partnerships and trade education to drive bookings.  Learn more .

Mākaukau Maui - We Are Ready

With a deep commitment to our community’s well-being, West Maui is ready to return a comforting sense of stability to the lives of its residents. Reopening our doors is one step towards reducing the uncertainties that weigh on our shoulders. It also ensures our community has the jobs and financial opportunities to thrive. On the horizon is a new day. As one, Maui is moving forward – hopeful and optimistic that it can share its culture with those beyond our shores. Learn more at: https://makaukaumaui.com .

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Board Approves Action Plan to Support Maui’s Recovery in 2024

On December 22, 2023, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Board of Directors furthered its ongoing commitment to mālama Maui and support the island’s recovery by approving an immediate six-month action plan for 2024 to help address major challenges confronting residents, small businesses, visitor industry providers, Maui’s economy, and families seeking housing. Learn more here . The action plan is designed to fulfill tourism’s responsibilities in alliance with the leadership established by Governor Josh Green, M.D. and within the broader scope of Maui’s recovery efforts being conducted by the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and other state agencies. HTA’s full report identifying major strategies and not only short-term but also mid- and long-term recommendations is being provided to DBEDT in their role coordinating the State’s Economic Recovery Support Functions. Read the full report .

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 at its monthly board meeting on August 31, 2023 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 throughout August 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.

For Visitors

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Travel trade.

Information and resources for travel advisors is available on our GoHawaii website.

Mālama Maui

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 uses the spelling Lahaina across all platforms.

What to Know About Maui’s Wildfire Recovery Efforts and How Travelers Can Help

West maui hotels and resorts are not taking future bookings at this time as officials focus on search and recovery efforts in what is now the deadliest u.s. wildfire in more than 100 years. here’s how travelers can help those affected..

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Burned cars and buildings along waterfront of Lāhainā

“The town of Lāhainā has been destroyed,” stated Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green, who assessed the damage over the weekend.

Courtesy of the Office of Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green

Less than a week after catastrophic wildfires blazed through several areas of the islands of Hawai‘i and Maui, the situation in western Maui—which received the brunt of the devastation—is truly heartbreaking.

“The town of Lāhainā has been destroyed,” Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green declared in his latest emergency proclamation , issued on Sunday. Lāhainā is located along the western coast of the island of Maui just south of the Ka‘anapali and Kapalua beach areas, and now that the fires have started to subside, the extreme toll of the infernos is gradually coming into focus.

The Lāhainā fire is already the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century with the death toll having climbed to 96. And officials have warned that the effort to find and identify the dead is “still in its early stages,” the Associated Press reported .

“The fires have caused significant loss of life and property in Maui County. Thousands of people are without adequate shelter,” Governor Green stated. The state has launched a Hawaiʻi Fire Relief Housing Program aimed at connecting displaced Maui residents with available rooms and accommodations.

“We are going to need to house thousands of people. We are asking folks in the community to rent out those extra rooms, the ‘ohana units or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in their homes, vacation rentals, or whatever safe and secure rooms they have available,” stated Governor Green.

Is Maui closed to tourists?

Visitors are being asked to postpone travel plans to west Maui for the coming weeks and months as recovery efforts are underway. The many travelers who were in Maui at the time of the wildfires have “largely heeded the call to leave the island,” according to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, which reported that around 46,000 people have flown out of Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) since Wednesday.

Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting future bookings and many hotels in the area are housing employees, evacuees, and first responders in lieu of vacationers.

“While efforts are underway to restore basic services, like power and communications, visitors are encouraged to refrain from attempting to reach west Maui accommodations for reservation adjustments until the situation improves,” the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority stated.

Among the properties affected have been the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka ‘ anapali , both of which have advisories on their websites stating that they remain temporarily closed. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa hotel is currently closed through September 5. And the Outrigger Hospitality Group reported on its website that its 18-room bed-and-breakfast the Plantation Inn located in the historic Lāhainā Town “has been irreparably damaged as a result of the devastating wildfires.”

Travel to the other Hawaiian Islands, like Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island, are not affected at this time, according to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

Maui travel update

Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui remains open, according to Hawai‘i’s Department of Transportation , but the airport has been sheltering evacuees and thousands of travelers who have been stranded by the catastrophe, Maui County reported.

In light of the wildfires and devastation, all of the major U.S. airlines have issued travel waivers. While all major U.S. carriers dropped most of their change fees (for all but Basic Economy seats) during the pandemic, typically a fare difference will still apply, unless there is an official emergency-related waiver.

Hawaiian Airlines has a waiver in place for all flights to and from Maui’s Kahului Airport between August 9 and August 31, 2023. The state airline has added extra flights to help get travelers and evacuees out of Maui, and it is selling seats through August 20, 2023, for just $19 “to facilitate urgent travel out of Maui.”

Southwest Airlines has informed its customers that those holding reservations for travel to, from, or through Kahului through September 4 can rebook in the original class of service or travel standby within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs with no additional charges. For flights that are canceled, customers can request a refund. Travelers can also exchange their flights that were scheduled for Kahului for flights to Hilo and Kona (on the island of Hawai‘i), Honolulu (on O’ahu), or Lihue (on Kauaʻi), for no extra charge.

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

United Airlines has a travel alert in place allowing those traveling to Kahului through September 16 to reschedule without incurring a fare difference for a new flight that departs by November 18, 2023. Tickets must be in the same cabin and between the same cities as originally booked, or in lieu of Maui, travelers can opt to fly to Honolulu, Kona, or Lihue instead. Passengers can also cancel and bank the credit or cancel and request a refund, according to the carrier.

Delta Air Lines has a fare difference waiver in place for travel to and from Maui for flights that were scheduled through August 31, 2023, as long as the new flights take place by August 31, 2023. After that, a fare difference may be applied.

Lāhainā's beloved giant 150-year-old banyan tree, badly scorched but still standing

Lāhainā's beloved 150-year-old banyan tree was badly scorched during the wildfires but is still standing.

How to help Maui

For travelers witnessing the tragedy from afar and wondering how they can help, several organizations have jumped in to provide aid and assistance.

American Red Cross

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

Red Cross teams are in Hawai‘i faciliating shelters for the displaced, which includes thousands of residents and tourists who have been evacuated to O‘ahu, and providing them with food and emotional support. “When it is safe to do so, Red Cross teams will help with damage assessment and distributing relief supplies,” the global aid organization said in a statement about its Hawai‘i wildfire relief efforts.

Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

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

This nonprofit organization that supports Native Hawaiians is raising support “for ‘ohana impacted by the devastating wildfires on Maui.”

Maui Food Bank

To donate: mauifoodbank.org/donate

The Maui Food Bank, which distributes food to the hungry in Maui County, is raising money to help feed residents of Maui who have been displaced by the fires.

Maui Strong Fund

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

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that focuses its efforts on creating an equitable and vibrant Hawai‘i, has developed the Maui Strong Fund to provide shelter, food, financial assistance, and other services to residents.

Maui United Way

To donate: https://ignite.stratuslive.com/auw/get-involved/donate/mauirelief

Community aid organization Maui United Way has created a fund a Maui Fire Disaster Relief Fund that will assist victims of the fires.

This story was originally published on August 9, 2023, and has been updated to include current information.

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Planning to Visit Hawaii? Here’s What You Need to Know About the Wildfires.

Devastating fires on Maui and the Big Island have destroyed businesses and homes, and caused at least 36 deaths. They are also upending tourism, leaving travelers wondering what to do.

A wildfire burns hot and bright next to a busy road.

By Christine Chung and Ceylan Yeginsu

Large wildfires burning across the islands of Maui and Hawaii, fueled by intense winds, turned scenic beach destinations into smoky, catastrophic scenes on Wednesday. The fast-moving flames have scorched hundreds of acres, destroyed homes and businesses, and prompted a series of evacuation orders, road closures, and power and cellphone service outages. At least 36 people have died.

The fires are most intense along the western coast of Maui, according to local news reports , with the historic town center of Lahaina severely damaged.

Declaring a state of emergency in all counties, the Hawaiian state government has asked travelers to leave West Maui as soon as possible and is discouraging travel to the affected areas.

Here’s what travelers need to know.

Where are the fires?

According to the local news outlet Hawaii News Now , at least three wildfires are burning on Maui, including one in Lahaina, a major tourist destination on Maui, and the upcountry section of the island. There are at least three blazes on the Big Island, in North Kohala and South Kohala, which includes the Mauna Kea beach area, according to Big Island Now .

Can you fly to Maui and the Big Island?

Nonessential air travel is being discouraged by the Hawaiian authorities. Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke issued two emergency proclamations authorizing several actions, including activating the National Guard.

All travelers should monitor their flight status online or using the airline’s app before departing for the airport.

As of early Wednesday morning local time, Kahului Airport on Maui remains open and was sheltering about 1,800 travelers, the Hawaii Department of Transportation said . On Wednesday, most flights were operating as scheduled, according to FlightAware, an aviation tracking site, but some carriers are reporting inbound cancellations and delays. The two airports on the Big Island, Hilo International Airport and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, also remain open.

United Airlines, according to Josh Freed, a company spokesman, canceled all reservations on its inbound flights to Kahului Airport, “so our planes can fly empty to Maui and be used as passenger flights back to the mainland.”

“Our teams are monitoring the situation closely and adjusting our schedule so we can keep serving our customers under difficult conditions,” he wrote in an email. United is offering refunds for passengers who want to cancel their flights.

American Airlines has also canceled reservations on inbound flights to Kahului Airport, said Curtis Blessing, a company spokesman. The carrier is rebooking passengers at no charge, as long as certain conditions are met.

Other major carriers were operating their scheduled flights but are offering a variety of options to affected travelers who want to revise their plans.

Passengers on Hawaiian Airlines can change their flight plans or get refunds, said Marissa Villegas, a company spokeswoman. The airline operates more than 80 flights daily in and out of Maui. It is also offering special $19 fares from Maui for urgent travel needs.

Southwest Airlines operates at least 90 daily flights in Hawaii, 60 of them within the state. Those who booked with Southwest traveling from or to Maui on Wednesday or Thursday can rebook at no charge, but refunds are available only if your flight is canceled by the airline.

Travelers who booked with Alaska Airlines can change their flights but must travel before Aug. 31. According to a company spokesperson, the eight daily flights to Maui are operating, some with delays.

What’s the latest with travel on and between the islands?

The Hawaii Department of Transportation is providing timely information on road conditions, highway closures and airport status updates through social media . All nonessential travel to Maui is discouraged, the department said .

Hawaiian Airlines has added six more flights on Wednesday between Honolulu and Kahului.

Those flying between islands should monitor their flight status on their carrier’s app or website and be aware that changes may come unexpectedly.

Numerous road closures were announced for both Maui and the Big Island, according to The Honolulu Star-Advertiser , with the Honoapiilani Highway on the west coast of Maui remaining open to outbound traffic only.

Can I get a refund from my hotel or short-term rental?

On X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, travelers have written that major hotels near the wildfires in Maui have closed and been evacuated. Several popular resorts, including Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa at Ka’anapali Beach and the Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club , currently do not have power.

The Hyatt Regency is closed to new arrivals and will not accept new guests through Aug. 11, the company said in a statement, adding that any booking deposits, including prepaid stays, for these dates will be refunded.

Other major resorts in the area could not be immediately reached for comment.

Most of the major hotel chains have already instituted more flexible cancellation policies because of the pandemic, but Marriott, Hilton and others did not respond to requests for comment on their specific policies related to the wildfires.

For those travelers who booked accommodations with Airbnb, the company has activated its “ extenuating circumstances policy ” for parts of Maui. Eligible guests with reservations will receive a full refund, and both hosts and guests can cancel bookings penalty-free, the company said on Wednesday.

According to Vrbo, wildfires and other natural disasters do not override typical cancellation policies. However, for bookings on Maui and parts of the Big Island between Aug. 9 and 16, the company said, “Vrbo has already waived host penalties for cancellations, which means hosts can cancel and refund their guests without worrying about how it will affect their listing performance in future guest’s searches.”

Vrbo recommends that guests reach out to the hosts of their bookings for more information, as well as their travel insurance provider if they bought trip protection.

Would travel insurance help?

Most travel insurance policies have trip cancellation coverage for natural disasters, but it’s important to read the fine print of your policy to see if wildfires are covered under the reasons for trip cancellation or interruption.

In most cases, travelers will have coverage if their destination is made uninhabitable or if they are forced to evacuate with at least 50 percent of their trip remaining, according to Squaremouth , a travel insurance comparison site. If a hotel or holiday rental cancels your reservation before your arrival because of damage caused by a wildfire, most travel insurance plans provide coverage.

Policies with “cancel for any reason” coverage do not require travelers to state a reason for their cancellation, but some travel insurers apply restrictions to the benefit. For most policies that include coverage for wildfires, the policy must be purchased before the event occurs.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2023 .

Christine Chung is a travel reporter for The Times. She previously covered breaking news. She joined The Times in November 2021. More about Christine Chung

Ceylan Yeginsu is a travel reporter. She was previously a correspondent for the International desk in Britain and Turkey, covering politics; social justice; the migrant crisis; the Kurdish conflict, and the rise of Islamic State extremism in Syria and the region. More about Ceylan Yeginsu

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Hawaii Travel Discouraged Amid Fires: How to Change Your Plans

Sean Cudahy is a freelance reporter specializing in coverage of airlines, travel, loyalty programs and public policy. A journalist of nine years, Sean most recently served as a general assignment reporter at The Points Guy, following an eight-year run as a local television news reporter. He lives with his wife and their French Bulldog outside Raleigh, North Carolina.

Giselle M. Cancio is an editor for the travel rewards team at NerdWallet. She has traveled to over 30 states and 20 countries, redeeming points and miles for almost a decade. She has over eight years of experience in journalism and content development across many topics.

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She is based in Miami.

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Wildfires in Hawaii continue to cause devastation, displacing thousands of residents, destroying property, closing roads and, tragically, leading to the deaths of dozens of people on the island of Maui.

The situation has also prompted the evacuation of many tourists from the island while leaving uncertainty for those planning trips in the coming days and weeks.

President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for the state on Thursday.

As firefighters and other emergency responders continue to help with the catastrophic damage, state officials strongly discourage nonessential travel to Maui.

(Image courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority)

This could affect travel in the coming weeks.

Flexible airline policies in place

To assist with the evacuation efforts, airlines have been selling steeply discounted tickets to help travelers and residents more easily depart.

Numerous airlines, including Hawaiian Airlines , Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines , have sold $19 one-way tickets from Maui to cities on other islands, including Honolulu.

Airlines have also issued travel alerts, which typically allow even customers with restrictive tickets, such as basic economy, to make changes, cancel or get a refund. Airlines frequently take this step when there’s a natural disaster and travel is complicated or discouraged.

Southwest, for instance, says customers with reservations with trips to, from or through Kahului (Maui) and Hilo (Hawaii Island), Honolulu (Oahu), Kona (Hawaii Island), and Lihue (Kauai) can alter plans, rebook or travel standby within 14 days of the original flight date without any extra charges.

Other airlines have travel advisories in place, too, making change policies more flexible.

Keep an eye on your airline’s website for updated alerts if you have plans to travel to Maui in the upcoming days. Check your reservation online or in the airline’s app to see if your trip is affected. You may be able to make a change online without waiting to speak with a customer service agent over the phone.

When will Maui be open again?

As emergency responders continue to contain the wildfires in Maui, it’s still unclear when the island will be safe again for tourists to visit.

Some hotels on Maui have temporarily shuttered operations and will remain closed for the coming days.

For instance, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa has an advisory on its website that states it’s closed to arrivals and not accepting guests through Aug. 17. It’s refunding deposits and prepayments for even those guests who made nonrefundable reservations.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority encourages any travelers with plans to visit Maui in the next few weeks to check with their airlines and hotels about the travel status.

“In the days and weeks ahead, our collective resources and attention must be focused on the recovery of residents and communities that were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses,” the agency said in an advisory on its website.

Can you use travel insurance for Hawaii wildfires?

Travelers planning to visit Maui in the coming weeks may wonder whether travel insurance might help.

Generally, travel insurance policies will not cover cancellations or evacuation costs related to a natural disaster if the customer purchases the policy after the disaster begins.

However, if you have a policy purchased before the wildfires began, then you may be able to recoup losses related to trip cancellation, interruption, or — for those who have been on Maui this week and had to leave suddenly — emergency evacuation.

Travel insurance can help you recoup prepaid expenses such as flights or hotel costs if the emergency prevented you from moving forward with your trip.

If you're a traveler without a travel insurance plan with an upcoming trip to Maui, it’s a good time to check if the credit card you used to book your trip offers trip protection benefits . This might be of help if you end up needing to cancel.

» Learn more: How do travel insurance claims work?

The bottom line

The situation in Maui will likely remain fluid for weeks as the community and officials deal with the aftermath of this week’s wildfires.

If you have travel planned to the island within the coming weeks, closely monitor updates from your airline, hotel and the Hawaii Tourism Authority to make the best decision.

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How can tourists help Maui recover? Here’s what locals say.

In the face of devastating economic losses, residents are asking visitors to return—but respectfully.

LiAnne Driessen had moved into her grandparents’ home in Lāhainā four years ago, a home destroyed in the August 8 wildfires that razed the historic coastal town and killed at least 115 people. Everything—except for a mango tree her kūpuna (grandparents) had planted from a seed 50 years ago—is gone.

Now the Native Hawaiian wife and mother of two faces losing the Maui-based sailboat tour company that her family started 50 years ago. It had been booking 80 to 90 snorkel and dinner sails a week. Overnight, she says, it lost 80 percent of its business. Her husband, a first mate and captain-in-training, had to be laid off. “We’re barely hanging in there,” says Driessen. “It’s scary. We barely survived COVID.”

Livelihoods across one of Hawaiʻi’s most popular islands are suffering as a result of one of the deadliest U.S. wildfires in a century. According to the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, about three million tourists visit Maui each year, spending about $5.4 billion. Before the wildfires, about 8,000 people were arriving on Maui each day. Now, it’s around 2,000.

After advising travelers to stay away, lawmakers, tourism officials, businesses, and even residents are now urging them to visit—mindfully.

“We are definitely hoping visitors come back,” says Wisa Miller, who works at Aliʻi Kula Lavender , a 13.5-acre lavender farm that offers tours and runs a gift shop. “I know people on the outside are confused because some social media posts say to stay away and others saying to come. Our island is reliant upon tourism. We need resources to get back on our feet right now.”

But traveling currently to Maui is complicated. It may seem insensitive to sip a mai tai at a hotel pool in Wailea, but every dollar a visitor spends on the island helps its economy, explains Ilihia Gionson, public affairs officer for the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

“People have lost everything, and now they’re losing their jobs,” Gionson says. “Maui has an economy, for better or worse, that right now is very dependent on visitor spending. Shopping at local shops, eating at local restaurants that support local farmers, doing activities run by small local businesses—those dollars are directly supporting the residents; they are directly keeping local people employed.”

Twin disasters

In the days after the wildfire, Hawai‘i issued an advisory discouraging nonessential travel to West Maui—including Lāhainā—through October 17. Locals took to social media pleading to visitors to cancel their trips. Tourists have heeded the warning, canceling vacations and staying away. But the result is a dramatic economic downturn that’s crippling Maui’s ability to recover.

( Lāhainā was a glittering jewel of the Hawaiian kingdom .)

“We also have to support all of Maui,” Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green said in an August 27 update on Facebook. “Because we know if it survives and thrives, all the people who have jobs there will also recover more quickly.”

Tourism revenue not only supports local businesses and their employees, it generates state and county taxes, funding roads, schools, and public spaces.

With the sudden collapse of tourism on Maui, businesses face a tough choice. Restaurants like Tin Roof in Kahului, about 22 miles east of Lāhainā, have reduced their hours. The popular Hāliʻimaile General Store , about 30 miles east of Lāhainā, decided to close temporarily. MauiWine , which has been cultivating grapes on the slopes of Haleakalā and crafting wine for more than 40 years, furloughed some of its staff.

“It runs the gamut across our entire island, from wedding companies to restaurants to mom-and-pop surf shops and stands serving shave ice,” explains Pamela Tumpap, president of the Maui Chamber of Commerce , which has about 650 members.

The economic loss for West Maui alone—both in business sales and visitor spending—is estimated at $9 million a day, according to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. In late August, the state reported 4,444 new unemployment claims were filed in Maui, a 3,603 percent increase from the average weekly claims before the fire.

( This bird survived Maui’s fires—but it could soon vanish .)

“You have this incredibly tragic and horrible event that we should all be focused on, where we should be putting all of our energy. But there’s a second tragedy coming and everyone is shifting to that,” says Graeme Swain, owner of the Gather Restaurant Group , which owns and operates two restaurants on Maui, including the Hāliʻimaile General Store. He’s had to lay off about 80 percent of his staff at his other restaurant, Gather on Maui , near Kīhei. “It was a painful and very, very depressing decision that I had to make. I’m very concerned that, with the island of Maui in particular, if we don’t get people back here, we can’t survive.”

Maui is open; Lāhainā is not

“The situation is dire,” says Markus Schale, the managing director of the Hotel Wailea, Relais & Châteaux , which is providing housing for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relief staff. The 72-suite boutique accommodation located about 28 miles south of Lāhainā saw its tourism occupancy drop to almost 10 percent after the wildfires. The hotel had to furlough some of its staff.

“We need to make sure visitors to Maui feel good about coming here because they are actually helping the community of Maui get back on its feet.”

One way is to heed the state’s plea to avoid West Maui. “Do not go into Lāhainā,” Tumpap says. “It’s going to be a long healing process. We’re asking people to do the right thing. We know it’s a beautiful spot, but let Lāhainā recover right now.”

While Lāhainā and other parts of West Maui—including the popular Kāʻanapali and Kapalua areas—are off limits to visitors, other areas are open, including Kīhei and Wailea on Maui’s sunny south shores, the artsy surf town of Pāiʻa on its north shore, and the charming and remote Hāna on the eastern shore.

( How to turn overtourism into sustainable global tourism .)

“Hawaiʻi is a very small town that happens to be spread across islands,” Gionson says. “When one community in the Hawaiian Islands is injured, we are all injured. We all jump in to support and uplift those of our family, friends, and neighborhoods who need it most. So traveling anywhere in Hawaiʻi right now is helping Maui. But traveling to Maui is directly helping Maui.”

Despite what has been circulating on social media, Maui residents assure visitors will be welcomed—as long as they’re respectful while they’re on the island.

“The magic of Maui and aloha spirit that people cherish worldwide is still here,” Tumpap says. “You can come, and you coming will make a difference.”

How tourists can help

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The Aftermath of Maui Wildfires: Airlines Waive Fees and Travelers Are Advised Not to Visit

“Vacation travel to West Maui is strongly discouraged for the near future," the Hawaiian Tourism Board warned in a statement.

Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images

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. Hollywood actor and Hawaiian native Jason Momoa also shared a stern post on social media with a photo that said “DO NOT TRAVEL TO MAUI”. “Do not convince yourself that your presence is needed on an island that is suffering this deeply," Momoa wrote in the caption of the post. "Mahalo to everyone who has donated and shown aloha to the community in this time of need,” For those looking to provide assistance or support to victims and people affected by the wildfires, the Hawaiian Tourism Authority has set up the Maui Strong website which provides resources and organizations seeking support, and also the latest news and emergency information for those affected. Travel + Leisure has also compiled a list of organizations to donate to.

How to adjust your travel plans for Hawaii during the wildfires

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The Hawaiian island of Maui is asking visitors to stay away as it tries to recover from devastating wildfires.

Officials said Thursday morning that two of the three fires on Maui were largely contained. But the damage to portions of the island is extensive, particularly in the tourism-heavy region of West Maui, where fire appears to have incinerated much of the historic town of Lahaina .

The Kahului Airport on Maui remains open, at least in part because of all the people being evacuated (officials have asked all visitors on “non-essential” trips to leave). With the wildfires causing more than 50 deaths and an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion in damage and economic losses, the Hawaiian government is strongly discouraging tourists from coming to the island.

If you had a vacation planned, this is what you need to know.

World & Nation

Mapping how the Maui fires destroyed Lahaina

The Lahaina fire in West Maui ignited as firefighters focused on the Upcountry fire. What happened next — the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century — left the historic town in ashes.

Aug. 14, 2023

Should I cancel my trip to Hawaii?

The state tourism authority emphasized that most parts of Hawaii continue to welcome visitors. “Travel to Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi” and parts of Hawaiʻi Island other than the Mauna Kea resort area “are not affected at this time,” the authority said on its website Wednesday. By Thursday, the Mauna Kea Resort on the big island was open again after three fires in the area were brought under control, the authority said.

Maui, and particularly West Maui, is a different story. The tourism authority said Wednesday night that visitors bound for West Maui in the coming weeks “are encouraged to consider rescheduling their travel plans for a later time.”

Lahaina, Maui, Thursday, August 11, 2023 - A man stands among the wreckage downtown. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

Death toll in Maui fires rises to 67: ‘We have not yet searched’ buildings

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green says the fires are probably the state’s deadliest natural disaster in decades.

Aug. 11, 2023

What can I do about my flight to Hawaii?

Some major airlines offer customers the ability to obtain refunds for travel to Maui in the coming weeks, as well as the option to reschedule their flights. The exact terms depend on the airline.

At United Airlines , if you had paid for a flight to Kahului Airport between Aug. 11 and Aug. 31, you can cancel and get a refund, according to the United website. You can also reschedule your trip and the change fees and fare differences will be waived under certain circumstances.

If your new trip is after Aug. 31 or is to a destination outside Hawaii, United will still waive any change fees, but you may have to pay a fare difference, depending on the flight.

At Delta Air Lines , customers who can’t reschedule their trips to Maui may cancel their reservations and apply the ticket cost to the purchase of new flight — but that flight has to be booked no more than a year after the Maui ticket was purchased, the airline’s website says.

If you schedule a new flight on or before Aug. 18 at the same level of service as the Maui flight, Delta’s website says it will waive the change fee and any difference in fare. After that, only the change fee will be waived.

The American Airlines site suggests that refunds are possible for flights to or through Maui if you cancel by Aug. 13. You can apply for one on the airline’s website .

If you want to reschedule your flight, American will waive the change fee if you rebook by Aug. 13, but you may have to pay any difference in the fare. To see if your flight is eligible for a refund or fee waiver, use the “ Find your trip ” tool on the airline’s website. If you can’t change your trip online, call Reservations for help.

At Alaska Airlines , if you’d purchased a ticket to or from Maui by Aug. 9, you can obtain a refund as long as you cancel before the original flight’s departure date, the airline’s website says. You can also reschedule onto a new flight to or from Maui or three other Hawaiian airports through Aug. 31 at the same fare if you stay in the same cabin. But you have to exchange their tickets prior to the departure of their original flight.

Hawaiian Airlines is allowing customers to cancel their flights in exchange for a refund or a credit for future flights, or to change their flights to a different island, its website says. To change or cancel your flight, call the airline’s reservations line at 800-367-5320.

A spokesperson for the airline said, “We ask guests with non-urgent inquiries to please call back later so that we can assist travelers with immediate needs. Guests traveling through Kahului should continue to check their flight status on our website or app before coming to the airport.”

Wildfire wreckage is shown Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. The search of the wildfire wreckage on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Thursday revealed a wasteland of burned out homes and obliterated communities as firefighters battled the stubborn blaze making it the deadliest in the U.S. in recent years. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

How to help Maui residents displaced by the devastating wildfires

Wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui have killed at least 36 people, displaced thousands of residents and destroyed hundreds of structures, including homes, businesses and a school, prompting President Biden to declare a “major disaster.”

Aug. 10, 2023

Will my hotel charge me a fee to cancel my stay in Maui?

Under normal circumstances, many hotels penalize last-minute cancellations by charging fees that can be considerable. Some in West Maui are waiving those fees at the moment, but figuring out the policy at the hotel you’ve booked can be a challenge — the closer it is to the fire, the more likely that its power and phone lines are down.

The Hyatt family of hotels is waiving cancellation fees for arrivals “in the coming days,” the company said in a statement. It suggested that guests with reservations call its customer support line at 800-233-1234 “for additional details and assistance in alternate accommodations.” It also noted, however, that canceled reservations made through online booking sites and other third parties may be governed by those sites’ policies.

An Expedia spokesperson told The Times in an email that it is working with hotels that book through Expedia and Hotels.com to institute a “flex policy” for reservations on the full island of Maui through Aug. 31. “This means that travelers with upcoming bookings in the impacted area can change or cancel their hotel booking without penalty,” she said. “The flex policy can be accessed when you engage with a virtual agent once you log into your account or provide your itinerary number to the virtual agent.”

Expedia and Hotels.com ’s customer service agents are available 24 hours a day by phone or online to help with travel arrangements.

According to a spokesperson for Marriott hotels, the Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Ka’anapali, the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and the Ritz-Carlton Maui in Kapalua have been evacuated and will close temporarily due to extended power outages. Cancellation fees at the three hotels have been waived through Aug. 31. She advised travelers to the area to follow the news and MauiCounty.gov for local situation updates. To adjust reservations, guests should visit Marriott.com or the Marriott app.

If you’re headed for other parts of Maui or the Mauna Kea resort area on the island of Hawaii, the state tourism authority says, you should talk to the hotel you booked for updates about how you might be affected.

Hotels in Maui may still be taking reservations, and some are providing refunds up to the date of travel. For example, you could book a room for next week at the Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort on Thursday afternoon, even though the power and phone lines at the resort were out, according to a reservation agent.

CORRECTS DATE TO AUG. 8 - People watch as smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires on Front Street in downtown Lahaina, Maui on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Maui officials say wildfire in the historic town has burned parts of one of the most popular tourist areas in Hawaii. County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin said in a phone interview early Wednesday says fire was widespread in Lahaina, including Front Street, an area of the town popular with tourists. (Alan Dickar via AP)

‘Gone forever’: Fire devastates historic Lahaina, former capital of the Hawaiian kingdom

The wildfire that ripped through Maui devastated Lahaina, a town boasting centuries of history and that was once the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom.

Can I cancel my Vrbo or Airbnb?

Expedia Group, which owns Vrbo, said in a statement that it is “applying an extenuating circumstances exception for eligible Vrbo reservations in Maui where travelers will be able to get a full refund.” It added, “We will continue to work with our Vrbo hosts who have upcoming bookings in impacted areas to make sure all of our travelers are treated fairly.”

Airbnb customer service says that they will provide penalty-free cancellations in parts of Maui for hosts and guests who request them. However, people need to call the site’s customer service line at (844) 234-2500 to make sure that they are eligible.

Travelers whose accommodations aren’t directly affected by the fires may have a harder time obtaining a refund.

One reader told The Times that he and his wife wanted to heed the government’s request and cancel their trip to Maui, but their Airbnb host declined to give them even a partial refund on their $2,000 stay. According to Airbnb’s site, cancellations and refunds are up to the hosts , not Airbnb.

Will travel insurance cover me?

According to the insurance comparison site Insuremytrip.com , “If a wildfire that affects your trip is known before you purchase a plan, your coverage may be extremely limited.” So if you are thinking of purchasing travel insurance now for a trip in the coming weeks, don’t bother.

What you can do is see if wildfires fall under the definition of “natural disaster” on your travel insurance policy. You may also be eligible for coverage under “trip delay” if your flight is canceled, “trip interruption” if your accommodations or primary residence are damaged, or “trip cancellation” if your destination has been evacuated, Insuremytrip says.

About The Times Utility Journalism Team

This article is from The Times’ Utility Journalism Team. Our mission is to be essential to the lives of Southern Californians by publishing information that solves problems, answers questions and helps with decision making . We serve audiences in and around Los Angeles — including current Times subscribers and diverse communities that haven’t historically had their needs met by our coverage. How can we be useful to you and your community? Email utility (at) latimes.com or one of our journalists: Jon Healey , Ada Tseng , Jessica Roy and Karen Garcia .

Hawaii study shows almost 75% of Maui wildfire survey participants have respiratory issues

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FILE - A general view shows the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. The wildfires devastated parts of the Hawaiian island of Maui earlier this month. Maui County is suing major cellular carriers for failing to properly inform police of widespread service outages during the height of last summer's deadly wildfire. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

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FILE - Signs asking people to respect locals and that "Lahaina is not for sale" are seen on the side of the Lahaina Bypass, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. An acute housing shortage hitting fire survivors on the Hawaiian island of Maui is squeezing out residents even as they try to overcome the loss of loved ones, their homes and their community. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)

Maui looks to cut back on Airbnbs, vacation rentals as early as next summer

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Emma Fox was a 2023 summer intern on the Utility Journalism team at the Los Angeles Times. A student at Loyola Marymount University, she majors in journalism with a Chicano/Latino studies minor and was the arts and culture editor at the on-campus publication, the Lion. Fox is the president of her school’s chapters of the National Assn. of Hispanic Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists and previously was an intern for the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint.

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FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2020, file photo, taken at 11:18 a.m., is a dark orange sky above Crissy Field and the city caused by heavy smoke from wildfires in San Francisco. Wildfires that scorched huge swaths of the West Coast churned out massive plumes of choking smoke that blanketed millions of people with hazardous pollution that spiked emergency room visits and that experts say could continue generating health problems for years. An Associated Press analysis of air quality data shows 5.2 million people in five states were hit with hazardous levels of pollution for at least a day. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

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Grass and oak trees burn during the Basin Fire in the Sierra National Forest in Fresno County, California, June 27, 2024. A trio of wildfires, named the "June Lightning Complex Fire," in the county have burned 7,002 acres (2834 hectares), and together are 15 percent contained, with evacuation orders in place by Cal Fire authorities. (Photo by David SWANSON / AFP) (Photo by DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)

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Severe thunderstorms are expected mainly from Kansas into northern Missouri and Iowa this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds, a few tornadoes, and large hail are the expected hazards. Excessive rainfall may bring areas of flooding to parts of the Midwest today. Hot to dangerously hot conditions will impact much of California and from the central Plains to the northern Gulf Coast today. Read More >

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Hawaii declares emergency due to wildfires, discourages all nonessential travel to Maui

Editor's Note

As of Thursday morning, wind-driven wildfires continue in Hawaii, prompting thousands of evacuations, road closures, power issues and devastation to much of west Maui and the Big Island's Kohala Coast, including Lahaina, where at least 36 people have been killed.

State officials are discouraging nonessential travel to Maui, while the other islands — Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai and other parts of the island of Hawaii — remain unaffected.

What travelers to Maui and the Big Island should know

"Visitors who are on nonessential travel are being asked to leave Maui, and non-essential travel to Maui is strongly discouraged at this time," a statement released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority reads. "Visitors who have travel plans to West Maui in the coming weeks are encouraged to consider rescheduling their travel plans for a later time."

Based on this guidance, upcoming trips to west Maui should be canceled. The tourism board advises travelers with plans to other parts of Maui and the Kohala Coast of the island of Hawaii in the coming weeks to contact their hotels for guidance on whether their properties will be open at that time.

"In the days and weeks ahead, our collective resources and attention must be focused on the recovery of residents and communities that were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses," the Hawaii Tourism Authority said.

Some hotels — such as the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa and the neighboring Hyatt Residence Club Maui, Ka'anapali Beach — are closed to arrivals and currently plan to resume operations on Aug. 11 and Aug. 13, respectively. However, that is likely subject to local conditions and needs.

Is it safe to travel to other areas of Hawaii right now?

Travel to elsewhere in Hawaii, including Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai and other parts of the Big Island, is not affected at this time.

However, for those who are on the island or who have essential travel, hotels like the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort are still operating, according to their social media channels.

Earlier developments

On Wednesday, Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke declared only those with essential travel reasons should go to Maui due to a disaster emergency relief period that will be in place through at least Aug. 15.

Luke told CNN, "We encourage anyone with travel plans to Maui to cancel their flight…it is really a tragedy that we're dealing with right now."

Power outages were widespread, and several resorts on Maui indicate that many are still without power. This includes the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, which says it is closed to arrivals and not accepting guests until at least Aug. 11. Power has been restored on parts of the island. However, more than 11,000 are still without electricity, and west Maui remains without power.

More than 11,000 travelers were evacuated from Maui, according to the director of the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Ed Sniffen; nearly 600 people were awaiting flights to get out Thursday, according to The New York Times .

The fires began Tuesday, with winds from Category 4 Hurricane Dora , passing south of Hawaii, contributing to the fires but not directly responsible, as noted in reporting by CNN .

Some residents from Lahaina, Kula, North Kihei and Kaanapali on Maui and Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii were evacuated Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning. The Associated Press reported rescues of several people who fled the flames into the ocean.

"911 is down. Cell service is down. Phone service is down. That's been part of the problem," Luke told CNN Wednesday morning . "Maui County has not been able to communicate with residents on the west side, the Lahaina side."

On Wednesday, satellite phones were the only means of communication in parts of Maui.

"What we are trying to do is deploy individuals to go into areas with satellite phone service. We have only been in contact with perhaps one hotel because the one hotel, the people in charge of that hotel have satellite phones," Luke told CNN.

Hawaii National Guard members were also deployed.

Flights to and from Maui

Kahului Airport (OGG) and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) remain open, but Hawaiian Airlines encouraged travelers flying in and out of OGG to continue monitoring their flights for updates. Nearly 1,800 tourists were stuck at the airport awaiting guidance, according to CNN.

In response to affected flights, Hawaiian Airlines travelers can reschedule their flights at no cost for those scheduled to fly in and out of OGG.

"You can reschedule your flight to new dates, no change fees will be charged, and we'll waive any applicable fare difference and other fees related to changes or guest servicing on the same city pair for travel and same cabin of service," the waiver said. "Tickets must be rebooked into the same compartment (Main Cabin or Business Cabin) by Aug. 18, 2023, and travel must recommence by Sept. 1, 2023 HST."

Alternatively, these travelers can cancel their flights in exchange for a future flight credit, expiring one year from the original date of purchase. No change fees apply, but there may be a fare difference.

American Airlines canceled all incoming flights to OGG Wednesday.

"Given the current situation, all flights to OGG are canceled for today," American Airlines spokesperson Curtis Blessing told CNN. "We are still operating the majority of flights out of OGG today to ensure customers evacuating OGG are able to do so."

There were 17 inbound flights to Kahului canceled Wednesday, plus another 13 flights for Thursday, including 10 from United Airlines , according to FlightAware data .

Southwest Airlines is offering $19 flights to those looking to leave Maui to fly to one of Hawaii's other islands in the coming days, as reported by View From the Wing . The airline is reportedly reducing the in-cabin pet fee to $1 on those flights.

Evacuations and road closures

Mandatory emergency evacuations occurred in some areas via state and federal agencies, including the National Guard.

Orders to exit from Wailea also impacted tourists, as it's laden with beachfront hotels . Though most hotels have yet to publicly communicate plans for guests, they will likely adhere to county officials' guidance; some resorts have lost communication abilities, per the Maui Emergency Management Agency .

As of Wednesday afternoon , the road to west Maui (Lahaina) was closed to all traffic, minus emergency personnel. The only way to reach resorts over there is via its north route.

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Should You Cancel Your Trip To Maui, Hawaii? Latest Travel Advisories

Wildfires are currently spreading on Maui and the Big Island and thus far have killed at least 55 people. Along with local businesses and townships that are being devastated, the tourist hotspot of Lahaina has been dramatically scorched.

Due to recent events, tourist officials are discouraging nonessential travel to the island to not add further stress to events on the ground. They are suggesting that those who have travel within the next month either cancel or reschedule.

Latest Travel Advisories:

August 13: 6 pm (local time, hst) – baffling maui travel advisory just released by the state of hawaii.

Governor Green released a fifth emergency proclamation concerning the wildfires, wherein there was no reference to greater Maui either endorsing or dissuading travel. However, in reference to West Maui, he remarked, “All nonessential travel to West Maui is strongly discouraged for the duration of this proclamation. Visitors in West Maui have largely heeded the call to leave the island, and hotels and other accommodations are needed for displaced residents and emergency workers.”

August 13: Latest advisory from Police Department

The announcement states that starting from August 15, entry to West Maui will only be permitted with a designated placard. Essential access placards will be provided to residents of West Maui, as well as to specific groups such as resort staff, first responders, medical professionals, utility workers, county personnel, supply transport staff, and volunteers. Verification of West Maui residency or relevant employment is mandatory.

August 12: Latest updated announcement from the Hawaii Tourism Authority

“Visitors Urged to Forego Travel Plans to West Maui.”

“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. In the weeks ahead, the collective resources and attention of the federal, state, and county government, the West Maui community, and the travel industry must be focused on the recovery of residents who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses.”

This latest announcement leaves tourists confused about traveling to other parts of Hawaii, as the latest advisory focuses only on West Maui and 4 days ago the HTA was discouraging travel to the whole island.

Here is the state’s Hawaii Tourism Authority advisory from August 10 , “People with non-essential travel plans to Maui are strongly discouraged from traveling to Maui at this time. Visitors who have plans to travel to Maui in the coming weeks are being asked to reschedule their trip for a later time. The island’s resources need to be dedicated to emergency response.”

While some hotels have been either lost or massively impacted due to the fires, others that are still operational are discouraging visitors from booking. Some hotels have been evacuated, others are currently under shelter-in-place measures and some are closing temporarily due to power outages.

Certain hotels are waiving cancellation fees until further information is known , but one thing is certain, all have maintained that all non-essential travel should be canceled or rescheduled.

It’s not just hotels, short-term rental companies like Airbnb are enacting their extenuating circumstances policy which waives cancellation fees. Vrbo will allow hosts to cancel and refund their guests for bookings between Aug. 9 and 16.

Airlines are also eliminating fees and offering travel waivers for travelers who need to alter their plans due to the events on the ground. Like others, airlines are urging customers to reschedule so they can use their resources to aid in the extraordinary situation.

Travel insurance companies will be feeling the brunt of this catastrophic event as many travelers will be enacting policies to offset costs due to the natural disaster.

Multiple aid organizations have set up online funds to assist from afar and urge all those who can to help by donating.

Watch CBS News

Maui leaders target vacation rentals in proposal to house more locals

June 25, 2024 / 2:40 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Alicia Humiston bought her condo in Lahaina after she visited Maui and fell for its rainforests, lava fields and the whales that gather offshore. She travels there about three times a year and rents out her unit for short periods when she's not in Hawaii.

"Maui was my dream place," she said in a phone interview from her home in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

But now Maui's mayor wants to make it impossible for Humiston and thousands of other condo owners to rent their properties to tourists. Instead, he wants them rented long-term to Maui locals to address a chronic housing shortage that reached a new crisis point after last August's deadly wildfire burned the homes of 12,000 residents.

The mayor's proposal faces multiple legislative and bureaucratic hurdles, starting Tuesday with a Maui Planning Commission meeting. Yet it has inflamed an already-heated debate about the future of one of the world's best-known travel destinations: Will Maui continue to cater to tourists, who power the local economy? Or will it curb tourism to address persistent complaints that visitors are overwhelming the island's beaches and roads and making housing unaffordable?

About one-third of Maui's visitors use vacation rentals. They tend to cost less than hotels and are easy to reserve on websites like Airbnb and VRBO. Many have kitchens, so families can prepare their own food.

They have also become a source of strife, particularly after last year's conflagration in Lahaina — the deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than a century. The fire tore through the historic town, killing at least 115 people , and leaving nothing but rubble and ash for blocks. Residents whose homes burned to the ground received solicitations from off-island real estate investors to scoop up their land.

Thousands of displaced locals were temporarily housed in hotels usually reserved for tourists, and most survivors still lack stable housing. Even before the fire, University of Hawaii researchers say so many property owners were renting to tourists — and so few new dwellings were being built — that Maui County suffered a net loss of housing since 2019.

An analysis of property tax records shows 85% of Maui County's condos are owned by out-of-state residents, said Justin Tyndall, an assistant professor at the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization. Transitioning them would boost Maui's residential housing stock by 13%, which Tyndall said would almost certainly lead to lower buying prices and rents.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen believes that under his proposal, those lower rents would keep locals on Maui because absentee landlords would be forced to either sell their units or convert them to long-term rentals.

There are 7,000 condo units in apartment zones, including 2,200 in West Maui near the Lahaina burn zone, and they account for about half of Maui's legally operated short-term rentals. If enacted, the change would take effect in West Maui no later than July 1, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2026 elsewhere.

"My priority is housing our local residents"

"We understand that there's going to be a give and take. So the question is, what is most important?" Bissen said at a news conference last month. "My priority is housing our local residents - especially now."

Humiston, president of the Hawaii Rental By Owner Awareness Association, which opposes the bill, won't sell her one-bedroom, oceanfront condo that she bought two decades ago if the bill became law. She also doesn't plan to rent it long-term.

"It would take my ability to use my property. And I bought it for my use," she said. "I love it there."

Some warn that reducing the supply of lodging for visitors will ruin the tourism industry Maui's economy depends on, though backers of the mayor's bill say many vacation rentals will remain and hotels will have empty rooms visitors can stay in.

Hawaii economist Paul Brewbaker calculates that changing the rules for the affected units, which account for one-third of Maui's visitor accommodations, would result in 33% fewer tourists and cost Maui 14,000 jobs. He called it a "slow-motion train-wreck" that would lead to an "economic crash and burn."

Maui County Chair Alice Lee said that while housing for residents is a real concern, the council must also consider legal challenges from property owners and the potential hit on tax revenue.

The county collects $500 million in real property taxes annually and more than 40% comes from short-term rentals, which are taxed at a higher rate than owner-occupied residences, she said.

"We are being sued by over 600 people regarding the fire. We have that many lawsuits pending. Do we really want to put ourselves in a position to invite thousands more?" Lee said. "I really don't think so, because my main concern right now, at this very moment, is to pay the bills and keep the lights on."

The county has budgeted $300,000 to study the bill's impact on tax revenue and businesses like landscaping and cleaning services.

Jeremy Stice, a real estate agent who was born and raised on Maui, and his wife have spent 12 years building a company that today manages more than 40 vacation rental properties, mostly for other owners. About half of them would be affected by the measure, said Stice, who is also president of the Maui Vacation Rental Association.

Stice isn't sure local residents would buy — or could afford — short-term rental units even if they do become available for permanent housing.

For example, a studio in Papakea, one of the targeted condo complexes, would sell for about $600,000, he said. A 30-year-fixed mortgage at current interest rates, plus the homeowner association fees, would total about $5,000 a month for a small space, he said.

If locals don't buy them, and tourists don't rent them, it's possible the units would sit mostly empty as second homes for wealthy absentee owners — an even worse outcome.

To prevent that, the county should raise taxes on second homes, create incentives to promote long-term rentals and prioritize new housing construction, said Matt Jachowski, a Maui housing data consultant.

"The only way out of this housing crisis is to do everything — to do everything in our power to add more resident housing," he said.

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Amid housing crisis, Maui commission considers phasing out thousands of vacation rentals

W AILUKU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Maui Planning Commission listened to hours of testimony Tuesday from those on both sides of an effort to phase out thousands of short-term rentals.

The commission will decide if more than 7,000 transient vacation rentals (TVR) within the apartment/zoned district should be categorized anew as long-term rentals. Those specific TVRs are commonly referred to as the “Minatoya List.”

It’s all part of an ambitious plan to alleviate Maui’s housing crisis in the wake of the wildfire disaster.

The University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization says the 7,000 properties represent about half of all short-term rentals on Maui. Phasing them out, UHERO estimates, the long-term housing stock on Maui would increase by 13% — a “dramatic increase in housing supply.”

Maui Wildfires Disaster

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen says the phase-out is desperately needed.

Already, about 4,000 residents have left Maui since the disaster amid soaring rents.

“While we rebuild Lahaina, if we do not recognize the faces of those who are from there, the kupuna, the keiki, our ohana, we would have lost this fight,” Bissen said.

But not everyone supports the idea.

Opponent Erik Kloninger testified that eliminating the short-term rentals “would cost Maui County between $38.2 million and $76.7 million in property tax income every year.”

Opponents of the bill say it is the county’s responsibility to build more affordable housing units, rather than punish a group of people.

“I blame the county because they have not stepped up to the plate and given us affordable housing we have been begging for, for the last 30 years,” said Troy Michaels.

They also called on the planning department to speed up the permitting process so affordable homes can be built faster.

“My business has five employees including me. Two are single moms who have been with me for over five years. My cleaning company is a family of mom, dad, and their daughter. All eight of us would lose our jobs,” said Leslie Brown.

“One of the family businesses that I work with has told me that their family of four, all Native Hawaiians, would be forced to leave to leave the island if their way of life is taken away from them. They rely on these jobs because they pay way more than they can make at the hotel industry,” said Deirdre Lozica.

However, supporters of the measure say Maui has changed, and something needs to be done before it gets even worse.

“Too many of our residents have had to move. I remember Honokowai and other areas being mostly local residents and I don’t even recognize half of that town anymore,” said Nalei Pokipala.

“I knew that the housing crisis here on Maui was bad, I just didn’t know it was that bad. So, anyone who can stand here and say protect my investment, protect my commission over the people of this place, poho,” said Courtney Lazo.

“It’s not going to solve our housing crisis overnight. But this is one of the first steps we can take towards a better future where people don’t have to leave their home. I’m sick of every single day finding out about somebody else that’s moving and another support system that’s leaving,” said Katie Austin.

One of the supporters of the bill even called out Planning Commission Vice Chair Dale Thompson, who owns a TVR on the Minatoya List.

“There’s a very clear conflict of interest on that chair up there. Dale, we understand that you own a Minatoya condo yourself. So I think someone like that should abstain from the vote at the end,” said Paele Kiakona.

Opponents of the measure disagreed.

“I think Commissioner Thompson should have the opportunity to vote and participate in these discussions. He represents, just like the whole commission, represents the whole County of Maui. You’re gonna have kanaka that have been here for their entire life, generations. You’re gonna have people who own short-term (rentals), you’re gonna different groups,” said Jim Pereza.

The planning commission will make a recommendation to the Maui County Council to approve the bill or reject it. If this measure is approved, it will take effect on July 1, 2025, for properties in West Maui. It would go into effect across the rest of the county on Jan. 1, 2026.

Monday, July 1, 2024 78° Today's Paper

Brown water advisory issued for Waimea Bay

By Star-Advertiser staff

June 25, 2024

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The Hawaii Department of Health has issued a brown water advisory for Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore.

Officials say due to the river opening, stormwater runoff has entered coastal waters at the popular bay, resulting in possible contamination.

“The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and stormwater runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris,” said the department in the alert.

Not all coastal areas may be impacted by runoff, the department said, but “if the water is brown stay out.”

Anyone with exposure to brown water should practice good personal hygiene, and follow up with their primary care physician if they have health concerns.

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If this measure is approved, it will take effect on July 1, 2025, for properties in West Maui. It would go into effect across the rest of the county on Jan. 1, 2026.
Brown water advisory issued for Waimea Bay
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