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Lahaina, Pulehu and Upcountry Maui Fires Combined Update No. 13, 10:30 a.m..:
A wildfire that caused widespread damage in Lahaina town was reported to be 80 percent contained this morning, after the Fire Department reported making progress in fighting the Lahaina fire and fires in Pulehu and Upcountry Maui.
In Lahaina, firefighting crews further secured the perimeter of wildland areas that burned. That effort is continuing today, along with patrolling areas where structures burned. Civil Air Patrol flyovers Wednesday of the Lahaina town area showed that more than 270 structures were impacted by the fire.
The Pulehu fire, in an area mauka of Kīhei, was reported to be 70 percent contained this morning, after heavy equipment was used to create firebreaks through the night. Firefighters are continuing to secure the perimeter this morning.
A containment percentage for the fire Upcountry is pending further assessment this morning. Firefighting efforts focused on two main areas of Olinda and Upper Kula. Firefighting crews are continuing efforts to protect structures and extinguish smoldering hot spots. State forestry workers were leading the firefighting effort in the Olinda area. On the Kula side, the fire is most active in gulches that are difficult to access.
Entry into Lahaina remains restricted while the firefighting effort continues, with Lahaina-bound vehicles being stopped on Honoapiilani Highway at Maʻalaea. Honoapiilani Highway is open for traffic leaving West Maui. Motorists can also leave West Maui through Waiheʻe. Only Kahakuloa residents may access the village through Waiheʻe.
Lahaina remains without power. State and county crews are working to clear roads and other areas of trees and debris.
Buses were sent to the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua and Whalers Village in Kaʻanapali this morning to transport visitors to Kahului Airport.
Emergency evacuation shelters at War Memorial Complex in Wailuku, Maui High School in Kahului and Hannibal Tavares Community Center in Pukalani housed about 1,050 people overnight. Another 300 residents and visitors stayed at emergency evacuation shelters opened Wednesday night at Kingʻs Cathedral Maui in Kahului and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Maui Lani. Many of the visitors were taken to Kahului Airport this morning.
Some visitors who took flights from Maui to Honolulu on Wednesday were among 18 people sheltered at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center on Oahu.
Kahului Airport reported that 1,400 people stayed overnight Wednesday while waiting to take flights departing Maui this morning. Airlines have added additional flights for visitors leaving Maui.
People trying to locate loved ones who may be impacted by the fires can call the American Red Cross hotline at 1-800-733-2767.
Latest Road Closure updates:
ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE: Honoapiilani Highway is open for South Bound Traffic ONLY exiting Lahaina
ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE: Honoapiilani Highway is open for South Bound Traffic ONLY exiting Lahaina. Honoapiilani Highways is open from Kaanapali Parkway, up Keawe and onto the Lahaina bypass exiting Lahaina.
Latest Update from MPD:
Lahaina Town
The Maui Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones, their homes, or businesses. We are asking the community for their patience as first responders continue their efforts to suppress the active fire and prevent it from spreading to other areas.
Right now, our priority is to ensure the safety of first responders and expedite our process of evaluating the Lahaina Town area. We have dedicated teams consisting of MPD, Hawaii National Guard, and Maui Search and Rescue personnel currently processing the area.
Due to biohazard and safety concerns, no unauthorized entry into the area is allowed at this time. We appreciate the cooperation of our community at this challenging time so we can collectively mitigate potential safety risks.
Arrangements to allow residents into the area will be announced at a later time.
Guidelines for evacuations:
West Maui visitors advised to leave Lahaina and Maui; airlines reporting open flights
Due to limited resources in this time of crisis, visitors with vehicles or any means of transportation are being asked to leave Lahaina and Maui as soon as possible.
Personal vehicles can go to the airport through Kahahuloa. Rental vehicles may be left on site.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Transportation Security Administration was reporting that seats are available on outgoing flights at Kahului Airport. Travelers need to call airlines to make reservations.
Motorists may not enter Lahaina during the active fire, but people already in Lahaina may exit via Kahakuloa. Maui police are stationed at Ma’alaea and at Waihee to prevent entry into Lahaina until the area is secure. Only Kahakuloa residents may access Kahakuloa via Waihee.
West Maui remains without power and has no landline or cellphone service.
Firefighting crews are continuing to battle a fire that burned multiple structures and brush in Lahaina, as well as fires in the Pulehu/Kīhei and Upcountry areas.
There have been no changes in containment for the Lahaina, Pulehu and Upcountry fires.
SHUTTLES:
This morning, Thursday, a mass bus evacuation for residents and visitors in West Maui will resume at 8:30 am. Bus boarding will be staged at Whalers Village entryway fronting Kāʻanapali Parkway. County of Maui has someone who will be stationed at Whalerʻs Village to manage the guests and direct them to the bus stop area. Visitors will be taken directly to the Kahului Airport. Residents will be taken to a Central Maui shelter. Three Roberts Hawaii Motor coaches, each with a capacity of 49 people will be available. Additional buses from partner agencies will be added in based on demand. There are also 2 shuttles headed to the Ritz Carlton.
CAR RENTALS
Those who have enough gas to drive from the West side to central may do so. Instruct those who will need to leave their car rentals in West side, to take the KEYS with them to the Kahului airport and return the keys to the car rental companies there.
SHELTERS:
There are multiple shelters in central Maui open including Maui High School, War Memorial Complex, and Pukalani Tavares Community Center. The County of Maui opened two additional emergency evacuation shelters Wednesday evening. The additional shelters are located at King’s Cathedral Maui at 777 Maui Veteran’s Highway in Kahului and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1300 Maui Lani Parkway in Kahului.
Additionally, the YMCA Wailuku has showers and coffee available free of charge to all displaced.
*Evacuees are reminded that emergency shelters do not provide bedding, toiletries and personal care items. Pet owners utilizing the shelter will need to have pets properly restrained.
GUEST BELONGINGS:
The road access to the West Side remains closed to emergency personnel only. Guests who are in Central Maui may not have the ability to go back and retrieve items. Please make arrangements to reunite belongings with guests at a later time.
FLIGHTS: Both Hawaiian and Southwest have increased the amount of flights leaving Maui. Both airlines have rates set at $19 to help the evacuation.
Federal government is pledging funds
https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-pres-biden-approves-federal-disaster-relief-for-hawaii/
Latest Maui News Coverage
https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2023/08/maui-fires-aug-10-mass-evacuations-continue-from-fire-hit-lahaina/
How to Help or Donate:
https://www.civilbeat.org/2023/08/help-maui-fire-victims-heres-how-you-can-donate/
This is an ongoing and developing effort, and we will post updates as we know them. Information is rapidly changing. Thank you for understanding.
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