The town of Lahaina on Maui is being absolutely pummeled by fire, spurred by wind from a hurricane that passed by. Hundreds of people evacuated. Power and cell service have been down for many. A Presidential Disaster Declaration is expected. Maui lacks ICU beds and burn victims are being flown to Oahu.
Prayers to Hawaii 🙏
It’s going to be biblical
🔥🔥 WATCH: Footage shows catastrophic scenes from Lahaina. 911 service, cell service, and some landlines are down in parts of Maui as 'unprecedented' wildfires rage in Hawaii pic.twitter.com/w4Hcz0X6JL
— {Matt} $XRPatriot (@matttttt187) August 9, 2023
Wildfires, pushed by winds from Hurricane Dora, raced through parts of Hawaii, burning down businesses in Lahaina, Maui, injuring several people, forcing evacuations and leading some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean, where they were rescued by the Coast Guard. pic.twitter.com/SKZibg1J09
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 9, 2023
Southwest Airlines has capacity, and is offering it cheap for people to get off the island or otherwise fly around the islands. Today through Friday they are offering seats at $19 to leave Maui, and charging just $1 pet in cabin fees on interisland flights. They are also discounting Hawaii to the mainland (not mainland to Hawaii), according to internal employee communications:
Due to the ongoing wildfires in Maui, and the need for people to get off of that Island, Southwest is offering $19.00 fares for all nonstop interisland flights today through Friday. There are also lower fares from Hawaii to the mainland for that same timeframe. The interisland pet fare is being decreased to $1.00 per flight. The fares have been published online, and Customers have already begun booking.
Their 11 daily Maui – Honolulu flights are pricing at $19 all-in tomorrow in addition to these Maui – Kona flights.
I’d likely stay away from West Maui, and reconsider imminent travel to the island generally, while resources focus on mitigating damage and saving lives. Parts of the island are broadly unaffected and should be open to tourism, but many of you will have spent a good bit of time in and around Lahaina duriing visists to places like the Westin Maui and Hyatt Regency.
We stayed in Lahaina at the Outrigger Ainu Nalu. It was beautiful. I loved their pool. We went to the Old Lahaina luau and the Feast at Lele. There were good restaurants there. We could walk to everything. Prayers for Lahaina.
While our last 3 trips to Maui we stayed in the Wailea area, we always made the trip to old town Lahaina. Spent the afternoon visiting local shops and then went to Kimo’s for dinner. Our favorite part was the hula pie dessert- fantastic. Sad to see that this may all be rubble now.
“Wanna Get Away” indeed
Praying for all the people in Hawaii. It’s so sad to see such a beautiful island going through something so tragic. I’m hoping that is recovers to the beautiful place it is soon.
It’s nice to see a corporation do the right thing and help, rather than gouge, during a tragedy
Looks like the entire town of Lahaina is now gone. The entire thing.
This is really a story about the value of scale and the ability to move people.
We were there 2 weeks ago, it’s stunning to see the damage where we walked and laughed. We worshipped with many welcoming locals, I hope they have health, safety, and a quick recovery to their families, homes, and jobs. What a terrible event.
The Banyon Tree – scorched but standing.
People need to understand that resources on the island are precious and food, fuel, etc. should be prioritized to residents. Any travel to Hawaii should be restricted to essential need only at this time. 85% of food and goods comes by barge to the islands. The impact of travelers right now has serious implications.