Maui fires: How the HTA says travelers and advisors can help
The latest National Weather Service outlook for wildfires in Hawaii shows that the Islands are “in a better position than we have been — still not great, but it’s better,” said Ilihia Gionson, the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s public affairs officer.
Several areas of Maui — around Lahaina, Kihei and upcountry Maui — and the Mauna Kea resort area on the Big Island have been fighting wildfires in recent days that have killed dozens and have caused widespread damage.
Gionson on Thursday was at the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu, which was opened as an assistance center for Maui evacuees. He spoke with the Trade Secrets podcast.
The center has served about 150 people of the 11,000 flown off Maui on Wednesday, he said. Another 12,000-13,000 are expected to be flown off Maui on Thursday, and the center remains open for those who need help.
The center, Gionson said, is prepared to help up to 4,000 people.
In the meantime, those on Maui whose presence there is nonessential are being asked to leave the island.
“We’re asking visitors who aren’t on essential travel to leave Maui at this time so that the resources and the attention can be focused on the residents, residents who, in these wildfires, some have lost family members, tragically,” Gionson said. “Many have lost homes, businesses, livelihoods, lifestyles, and so it’s a very tragic time for the community.
“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.”
Gionson asked for patience in the weeks ahead as damages are assessed and the affected areas begin to recover.
Travel advisors asked to keep clients informed
To travel advisors, he said, “If clients have travel planned in the next couple of weeks, please get in touch with wherever they’re meant to stay.”
There are communications challenges at the moment, especially on Maui, he said. If an advisor is unable to get in touch with the property, that is likely a signal to encourage clients to change their plans.
But, while certain areas of Maui and the Big Island have been affected, the rest of Hawaii is unaffected and ready to welcome visitors, Gionson said.
“We kind of saw during Covid what can happen if travel ceases,” he said. “It’s an economic challenge. People lose jobs. And there’s a ripple effect to that. At the Hawaii Tourism Authority, we walk this very fine line of ensuring that the businesses that are able to remain open can accept customers. We don’t want to dissuade people from that, while balancing that with the very real need for recovery and focus on community in places like West Maui.”
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