08/15/2023
Hawaii - As most of you know, there has been devastation to some of the most beautiful areas of Hawaii. There has been a lot of questions and concerns about future travel to Hawaii.
Please know that Maui and the other areas impacted by the wildfires will be back and will want and need tourism. They will come back bigger and better than ever and the people there are so strong. 'Ohana means more in Hawaii than most places and it is a beautiful community.
Not all of Hawaii has been impacted and so, it is very confusing for anyone that is not fully aware of the Hawaiian Islands. So, I hope some of this information is helpful.
The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and Hawaii Tourism Authority have done a great job in keeping me informed of the information as they know it and have asked for agents to spread the below information.
This is a very fluid situation and so, if you have specific questions and are booked with me for Hawaii- then we have already chatted; but, definitely let me know of any questions or concerns you have going forward. If you have a trip to Hawaii booked elsewhere then you should ask the vendors you booked with what you should be doing (even if your trip is a few months out).
As of today, August 15, 2023:
GOVERNOR GREEN URGES VISITORS TO FOREGO TRAVEL PLANS TO WEST MAUI
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.
Visitors largely heeded the call to leave Maui in the early days of this unprecedented disaster. 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 lost loved ones, homes, their belongings, and businesses.
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.
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.
Travel to the other Hawaiian Islands, like Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island, is not affected at this time.
There is a lot more information available and if you have questions, please let me know.
In addition, if you want to help but, do not know what to do or where to send help then, please consider sending financial help to one of the following organizations. They currently do not need and have asked for no more clothing donations. They have certain needs that are prioritized over others and so, financial donations to the right places will go further.
1. The Maui Strong Fund - https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong
The Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires on Maui.
HCF will not be collecting a fee for donations to the Maui Strong Fund; 100% of the funds will be distributed for community needs.
2. There are so many gofundme pages and many have been verified and you can see a list of those and more information:
https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/wildfire-relief/maui
3. Are you an animal lover? The Maui Humane Society is working diligently to get emergency kits and aid to shelters. They need fosters, aid and support while they work to house animals in need and keep loved pets with their families.
https://www.mauihumanesociety.org/
There are many more opportunities, but these will help you get started.
And remember, we all need help at one point or another and helping others will always be the right thing.
Here are some photos of Lahaina and Maui and area to remind you of the beauty of the area before the devastation. It will be back and look even more beautiful, I truly believe this and can't wait to see it.
