Dangerous wildfires in combination with 60-mph hurricane-force winds are a deadly situation for the picture-perfect city of Lahaina on the island of Maui.
This famous and busy small tourist town with historic buildings, shops, restaurants, and hotels may be no more.
Tourists and locals were seen fleeing the fires that took the entire part of Maui Island by surprise.
Chased by flames, people were seen fleeing into the waters of the Pacific Ocean to be rescued later.
Power has been out in many parts of the island for 24 hours. The main road between Lahaina, the Kaanapali Beach Resort area, and Kahului Airport is closed.
Among other airlines, United Airlines is canceling all flights from the US Mainland to Kahului, Maui.
Phone lines (landlines and mobile) are down. It is impossible to reach major hotels and resorts in the greater Lahaina region, specifically Kaanapali Beach. Marriott and also Hyatt told eTurboNews they lost any contact with their hotels and cannot provide updates about the welfare of their guests.
A hotel worker posted to Twitter: Any way to get to #Kaanapali yet? We’re separated from our children. They’re without power, phones, or transportation.
Local residents told eTurboNews that resort hotels in Kaanapali are fine and guests are well, but unable to leave the area.
Lt. Governor Sylvia Lukey, said when flying over the area, it looked like a bad bomb attack in a war setting. She has asked the White House to declare a Federal Emergency for Maui. Lukely is the acting governor of Hawaii since Governor Green is out of state at this time.
Six people are confirmed dead. Shelter space is full of people evacuating hotels and rushing to the airport to catch flights to Honolulu.
The Honolulu Convention Center is ready to shelter 4,000 visitors and locals. The City of Honolulu is sending city buses to get passengers that escaped Maui to the Convention Center.
There are extraordinary, terrible scenes in Maui as such intense wildfires combined with a major hurricane continue.
A Maui resident posted to Facebook: This is what it looked like earlier on Maui. If you’ve been to my hometown of Lahaina…I fear it is no longer. I dread what it will look like in the morning. An apocalyptic scene is unfolding due to the fires raging across my island. Please pray for us.”
Many locals lost their homes, their cars and are looking for friends and family.
Other posts appeal to find missing people, such as Keyiro Fuentes, a little boy, or family members in Lahaina, Allan, and Pat Shannon.
Authorities feared that number could rise as flames are slowly beaten down and emergency responders are able to move in.
The red alert posted on the Civil Defense website for Hawaii said effective areas under the red alert warning are the most leeward areas of all Hawaiian Islands. It warns that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will occur shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fires.
The people and visitors on Maui had been caught by surprise. Fires spread in the middle of the night when the first 911 calls came in, with the fire department unable to get to the affected regions.
There seems to be confusion in regard to what is expected of visitors. The Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Maui Visitors Bureau have no information posted yet, but airlines are taking people to Oahu for low rates and waiving all change fees.
Besides first responders, sightseeing helicopter companies are in full mode to evacuate people, and fly food to them at night
An extremely dangerous wildfire situation is ongoing in West Maui as strong winds up to 60 mph are pushing flames toward populated areas in and around Lahaina.
Latest updates by the Department of Defence
Amidst the unfolding emergency on Maui, the latest Maui fire update reveals multiple road closures causing significant disruptions in West Maui. Drivers are urgently advised to steer clear of Lahaina Town due to the ongoing Maui fire update and resulting closures. Notably, the Honoapiʻilani Highway now stands closed for traffic heading towards Lahaina at Leialiʻi Parkway, while the traffic towards Kāʻanapali remains open, a key point in the Maui fire update, as of 8:07 p.m.
Adding to the already complex situation, an ongoing brush fire has precipitated the Maui fire update that led to the closure of Pūlehu Road between Ōmaʻopio Rd and Kula Highway at around 7:30 p.m. The persistent firefighting efforts continue as firefighters valiantly combat the Kula fire, a focal point in the Maui fire update, which has consumed over 1,000 acres.
Amid this evolving situation, a swift response has been initiated. The US Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Gerczak, alongside an MH-65 Dolphin aircrew and a small boat crew from Station Maui, have been promptly dispatched to the Front Street and Lahaina Small Boat Harbor areas to address the escalating Maui fire update.
In the midst of these daunting challenges highlighted in the Maui fire update, the unfortunate loss of multiple structures has been reported. Consequently, ongoing evacuations are paramount as firefighting crews tirelessly contend with both brush and structural fires in both Upcountry and Lahaina regions. In light of the persistent high winds and unpredictable conditions emphasized in the Maui fire update, Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. underscores the significance of community safety and unity.
Multiple fire crews from diverse areas have been swiftly mobilized, including the West side where evacuations have affected key areas highlighted in the Maui fire update, such as Lahainaluna Road, Hale Mahaolu, Kelawea Mauka, and Lahaina Bypass. The reopening of the Honoapiʻilani Highway from Hōkiokio Place to Lahaina Bypass at 5 p.m. eases access, but traffic flow through the bypass may be impacted, a notable detail in the Maui fire update.
Further in Upcountry Maui, firefighter teams, particularly dedicated to the Kulalani Drive and Kulalani Circle subdivision, have made commendable efforts to ensure the safety of residents by executing essential evacuations. The earlier reported Upcountry fire has spread to cover about 1,000 acres, extending even to Kualono Place near Kula Lodge, a key finding in the Maui fire update.
Addressing the ongoing crisis, emergency shelters operated by the American Red Cross have been put into operation at Lahaina Civic Center and Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani. These shelters, as highlighted in the Maui fire update, are geared to accommodate both individuals and their beloved pets, ensuring their safety in this tumultuous period.
Mayor Bissen, underscoring the importance of mutual support amidst these hazardous circumstances central to the Maui fire update, emphasizes the significance of community cohesion. A recent flareup of the Lahaina fire temporarily necessitated the closure of the Lahaina Bypass, intensifying evacuations and reflecting the dynamic nature of the Maui fire update. Evacuations persist around Lahainaluna Road, Hale Mahaolu, and Lahaina Bypass, with only Kahakuloa Village residents permitted access to the remote side of Kahekili Highway, a notable Maui fire update detail.
For residents on the west side, the advice stands strong to shelter in place unless explicit evacuation orders are issued, a critical facet of the Maui fire update. Notably, several road segments, including parts of Honoapiʻilani Highway, remain inaccessible due to fallen power lines, emphasizing the widespread impact of the Maui fire update.
Evacuees are urged to remember that while emergency shelters provide refuge, certain amenities may be unavailable. Pertinently, pet owners should ensure their animals are securely restrained for safety.
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(eTN): Maui Fires: Are Visitors ok? No Contact to Hotels & Resorts | re-post license | post content
