Maui County shelters stayed open as thousands were left homeless in the fires that ravaged Maui.
The death toll was at least 96 people as of Sunday night.
Gov. Josh Green said the event was “probably the largest natural disaster” in the state’s history. Governor Sylvia Luke declared a state of emergency early Wednesday.
The fast-moving flames were fueled by the dry winds of a hurricane that swept south of the islands. A normal trade wind pattern was restored on Friday and is expected to continue through Monday, National Weather Service officials said in a forecast early Friday.
Residents and tourists take shelter at Maui High School in Kahului on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. A great fire destroyed the city of Lahaina. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
Kahului Airport remained open and round-trip flights were available, but officials urged visitors to refrain from traveling to wildfire-hit areas.
More than 1,400 people spent Friday night in county shelters, and organizations across Hawaii have mobilized to help burn victims. Learn more about where you can donate cash, food, or supplies.
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Anyone experiencing an emergency in West Maui is urged to call the Lahaina Police Department at 808-661-4441 as a 911 number is not available in the area.
Lahaina did not have a landline or cellphone service as of Thursday, but some cellphone coverage was available in West Maui as of Friday, the county said. People in the area were advised to text if calls didn’t go through.
Find the latest information on Maui road closures, evacuations, emergency shelter openings, efforts to locate displaced fire victims and more.
Latest firefighting information on Maui
The fire that had leveled much of the city of Lahaina was 85% contained as of Sunday night, according to Maui County, threatening nothing nearby. The Highland/Kula fire was 60% contained as of Sunday night and the Pulehu fire that devastated Kihei’s Mauka was 100% contained as of Saturday.
Evacuation shelters on Maui
No items such as bedding and toiletries are available to evacuees in the shelters, Maui County said. Pet owners must restrain their animals.
The following shelters were open:
- Support: Royal Cathedral; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Grace Bible Church.
- Point: South Maui High School
- Caution: Oskie Rice Arena is for livestock and ranch animals only.
- Apulia: Hannibal Tavares Community Center.
- Water of Destruction: war memorial complex.
A group of volunteers unload a flatbed truck with donations for those in the community who have suffered casualties from the fire. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)
Maui evacuation shuttles
Anyone staying in the accommodations at War Memorial Gymnasium, King’s Cathedral and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can take a complimentary on-demand shuttle to most malls and medical facilities in the area from 8am until the last pickup Central Maui use 8 p.m
For reservations, call Roberts Hawaii at 808-871-4838, the county said in a statement.
Passengers are only allowed to bring items that they can carry. Wheelchairs can be accommodated.
Maui evacuation orders
Visitors with transportation were asked to leave Maui as soon as possible, the county said Wednesday.
The Maui County Fire Department recommended residents of the following areas participate in proactive evacuations:
- Care: Holopuni and Pulehi streets.
Evacuations also took place in the following areas:
- west side: Lahainaluna Road, Hale Mahaolu, Kelawea Mauka and Lahaina Bypass;
- Inland: Piʻiholo and Olinda streets, Kulalani Drive subdivision and Kulalani Circle; Kula 200 and Hanamu Road areas.
Locating Maui evacuees
The county has opened a family support center for people searching for loved ones who have not been reported. Visit the Kahului Community Center (275 Uhu St.) on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Those looking for someone affected by the fires can also call the American Red Cross hotline at 1-800-733-2767.
Maybe check out this Maui Fires People Locator list doing the rounds on social media — it includes the names of thousands who have been and have not been found. For a discussion of this grassroots effort, see this Facebook page.
More resources for evacuees
- The Maui Food Bank distributes groceries and merchandise at King’s Cathedral (777 Maui Veterans Highway) and Calvary Chapel South Maui (320 Ohukai Road, Ste. 420).
- The health clinics operated by Kaiser Permanente are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lahaina Gateway Center, Napili Park and the Lahaina Civic Center (Lahaina Comprehensive Health).
- Two WiFi trucks with charging stations are located in Napili Park and Honokowai Park.
- Gasoline is available at Ohana Fuels/Minit Stop (333 Dairy Road) in Kahului and Kahana Gateway Shell (27 Hoohui Road) in Lahaina.
Road closures on Maui
The city of Lahaina remained barricaded Saturday morning. People have been asked to stay clear of the area and wear a mask and gloves for safety, as toxic particles came from places that were still smoldering.
Here are the latest closures, Maui County said in a statement Sunday afternoon:
- Access to West Maui via Kahakuloa is restricted to residents only.
- Access to West Maui via Maalaea is permitted for pre-approved supply and outreach purposes only. You can leave West Maui via Maalaea.
Maui power outage map
There is generally no power in Lahaina, although power has been restored to Napili Plaza, Ohana Fuels/Minit Stop and the Kahana Gateway Shell location.
Get the latest information on Maui power outages on Hawaiian Electric’s interactive map.
Distribution of supplies for burnt victims
The following opportunity supply distributions were available for Maui fire victims in the Lahaina area as of Saturday (learn where to donate money or goods):
- Napili Plaza (5095 Napilihau St.): Food, water and more.
- Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center (305 Keawe St.): Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for distribution of groceries, water, toiletries, canned goods, diapers, baby food, clothing and pet food.
School and bus closures on Maui
- The four public school campuses in Lahaina will remain closed through August 18.
- Schools in inland, south Maui and central Maui are gradually reopening this week. More details.
- Activities at Kihei Regional Park. The gym is used as an evacuation center.
- All Maui clubhouse boys’ and girls’ clubs.
- Maui Bus: Lahaina Islander Route #20, Lahaina Villager Route #23, Kaanapali Islander Route #25, and West Maui Islander Route #28; Maui Bus ADA Paratransit Service; Maui Economic Opportunity Human Service Transportation; and Maui Bus Commuter Services.
Maui Water Advisorys and Drinking Water Tankers
Maui County has issued unsafe water alerts for the people of Lahaina (see map) and Kula (see map). Full details of what this means for residents can be found on the county’s website.
According to the county, water tankers have been placed in the following inland areas:
- crater road.
- Cop Road.
- Kula Fire Station.
- rice park.
- Kula Community Center.
- White.
Water tankers have also been placed in West Maui, according to the county:
- Puamana Street
- Kahoma Village.
- Lahaina Gateway Shopping Center.
- honorable.
This is an evolving story. Refresh this page for updates.
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