Fast-moving fires raced across the Hawaiian island of Maui last night and into this morning, forcing tourists and residents to flee through flames in Lahaina, North Kihei, and Kula.
Winds up to 60 mph from Hurricane Dora, 500 miles away, caused wildfires on the island to quickly spread.
Acting Gov. Sylvia Luke has activated the Hawaii National Guard and asked the airlines to halt all incoming flights. More than 2,000 travelers are in Kahului Airport.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency also on Tuesday approved the state’s request for a disaster declaration to provide assistance with “the wind-whipped Kohala Ranch wildfire on the Big Island,” along with two other fires on the Big Island, according to the governor’s office.
**Editor’s note: The Hawaiian Tourism Agency has released a statement noting that the best thing people can do to help is not travel to Maui at this time.
“You know, we talk about ‘aloha’ as this value that is reciprocal, and we’re just very thankful for those visitors who have heeded our call to leave at this time so we can focus on the recovery,” he continued. “It is truly an expression of their aloha for us and for this place.”, said Ilihia Gionson, HTA’s public affairs officer.
If you’d like to contribute to helping Maui recover from these wildfires please go to Maui Strong Fund.
