TORONTO — Even in these days of all-too-frequent extreme weather events, the reports came as a shock: flames fanned by Hurricane Dora’s winds quickly whipped into wildfires yesterday, razing Maui’s historic town of Lahaina.
Other parts of Maui, as well as Hawaii Island (also known as the Big Island), are dealing with wildfires as well. The death toll on Maui currently stands at 36, and search-and-rescue missions are underway. U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered “all available Federal assets” deployed to help fight the fires.
AIR CANADA & WESTJET UPDATE
Airlines with flights in and out of Maui have triggered their flexible change policies in the wake of the emergency.
In a new post dated today, Aug. 10, Air Canada is advising Kahului Airport (OGG) passengers that it has revised its ticketing policy to make it easier for those travelling on an affected flight to make changes to their booking without penalty, space permitting.
More information from Air Canada can be found here.
WestJet is also making it easier for passengers to change their flights. For Kahului Airport travel on or between Aug. 9 – 11, WestJet has announced Flexible Change/Cancel guidelines.
More details from WestJet are here.
THE LATEST FROM THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY
In an update on its site, the HTA says wildfires continue to burn in multiple areas of Maui and within the Mauna Kea Resort area on Hawaiʻi Island. “These fires have resulted in the evacuations of thousands of residents and visitors, and multiple closures of major roadways,” says the HTA.
The HTA says visitors who are on non-essential travel are being asked to leave Maui, and non-essential travel to Maui is strongly discouraged at this 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,” says the HTA. “Visitors who have travel plans to West Maui in the coming weeks are encouraged to consider rescheduling their travel plans for a later time.”
The update also notes that visitors with travel plans to stay in other parts of Maui and the Mauna Kea Resort area of Hawaiʻi Island in the coming weeks are encouraged to contact their hotels for updated information and how their travel plans may be affected.
Travel to Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and other parts of Hawaiʻi Island are not affected at this time.
The HTA adds that “while Kahului Airport on Maui remains open at this time, residents and visitors with travel bookings are encouraged to check with their airline for any flight changes or cancellations, or for assistance with rebooking.”
The HTA says it will be providing communication updates to its travel partners – airlines, accommodations, ground transportation companies, activity providers, travel agents, and wholesalers, as well as to local and national media – to ensure the public is kept informed about travel to Maui and Hawai‘i Island.
In partnership with the Red Cross, HTA is also opening an assistance centre at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center on Oʻahu for people evacuated from Maui who are currently unable to return home. Support will be provided at the assistance centre to help visitors book accommodations or flights.
The HTA’s site with this update can be found here, along with a FAQ that includes the above information for travellers, plus emergency contact information.
