Breaking information: Maui and the Large Island evacuating as a consequence of wildfires; airports open as of now

Hawaii state officials are currently evacuating visitors and locals from several areas of Maui and the Big Island due to wind-driven wildfires.

This afternoon, Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke issued a proclamation declaring essential travel only to the island of Maui and declaring a disaster emergency relief period at least through August 15 and stated in an interview on 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.”

Hawaii’s Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke has been Acting Governor while Governor Josh Green has been out of state on personal travel. He is scheduled to return early from his trip tonight.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority is now discouraging travel to all of Maui for the foreseeable future saying in a statement, “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. Visitors who have travel plans to West Maui in the coming weeks are encouraged to consider rescheduling their travel plans for a later time.”

Power outages are widespread, and several resorts on Maui were without power this morning, including the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. In fact, the Hyatt Regency says it is closed to arrivals and not accepting guests until at least August 11, 2023.

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

Some residents from Lahaina, Kula, North Kihei and Kaanapali on Maui and Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii were evacuated overnight and into the morning. The Associated Press reports several people who fled the flames into the ocean have been rescued. At least six people have died.

Lt. Gov. Luke told CNN this morning, “911 is down. Cell service is down. Phone service is down. That’s been part of the problem … Maui County has not been able to communicate with residents on the west side, the Lahaina side.”

For a period Wednesday, satellite phones were the only means of communication in parts of Maui. In fact, cell service is still down for most 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.

CNN reported that some tourists were also evacuated. Hawaii National Guard members are also being deployed.

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. CNN reports some 1,800 tourists were stuck at the airport awaiting guidance.

In response to affected flights out of OGG, the airline is offering travelers the opportunity to reschedule their flight at no cost for flights scheduled to fly in and out of OGG over the next two days, Aug. 9—11.

“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,” per the waiver. “Tickets must be rebooked into the same compartment (Main Cabin or Business Cabin) by August 18, 2023, and travel must recommence by September 1, 2023 HST.”

Alternatively, these travelers can cancel their flight 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 is canceling all flights to Maui’s Kahului Airport (OGG) due to wildfires. “Given the current situation, all flights to OGG are canceled for today,” American 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.”

FlightAware data shows 17 inbound flights to Kahului have been canceled Wednesday.

As reported by View From the Wing, 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. The airline is reportedly reducing the in-cabin pet fee to $1 on those flights.

Mandatory emergency evacuations were occurring in some areas via state and federal agencies, including the National Guard, which Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke requested Tuesday.

Orders to exit from Wailea will also impact tourists as its laden with beachfront hotels. Though hotels have yet to publicly communicate plans for guests, they will likely adhere to county officials’ guidance; some resorts had 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, with the only way to reach resorts over there via its north route.

Officials are discouraging near-term non-essential travel to Maui at this time and are requesting that those in West Maui depart the island as soon as is safe and practical. Some hotels, such as the Hyatt Regency Maui and 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, though that is likely subject to local conditions and needs.

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

Additional reporting by Clint Henderson.

This is a developing story that will be updated.