According to reports in the national press, some were forced to jump into the sea and tread water for hours in Lahaina after 80% of the historic seaside town was destroyed.
The UK Foreign Office issued a travel warning to the destination on Thursday (10 August), advising those due to travel to an area that might be affected by wildfires to contact their travel operator or accommodation provider.
The death toll is thought to have reached 55, with Hawaii governor Josh Green on Thursday evening (10 August) saying around 1,000 people are still unaccounted for.
"Here’s the challenge: there’s no power, no internet, no phone, no radio. You compound some of that. So when we’re speaking to our officers, we need them to get a sat phone," he reportedly said.
Hawaiian airlines on Thursday (10 August) said: "Our hearts are saddened by the recent events in Maui, and we send our deepest condolences to those impacted by the fires. We are committed to leveraging every resource we have to support the Maui community."
Within the past 24 hours, the airline has implemented multiple initiatives to serve the Maui community, and Team Kokua employee volunteers and members of the Hawaiian Airlines Emergency Assistance Response Team (HEART) were activated for support.
According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, as of 1pm HST Thursday (10 August), more than 14,000 people were moved off of Maui and by the end of the day it is estimated an additional 14,500 people will be evacuated.
An emergency assistance centre has been established by the authority at the Hawaii Convention Center, in partnership with the American Red Cross, to support visitors and residents being evacuated from Maui to Oʻahu.
