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Fires on Maui and in Lahaina

For the sake of argument, could Marriott (MOC specifically) even offer those rooms to house people? I don't know what percentage is owned by deeded owners, so I assume that this would be very limited.
 
rickandcindy23 said:
Are any TUGgers on Maui currently?

We have friends on the Big Island. I hope they are okay. They are at Kona Coast.

I wonder if our trip to Maui next week will get cancelled by Westin and United Airlines.
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If they don't cancel, consideration to reschedule urged by authorities. Any which way, good luck for safe travels. For more official updates, https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts
 
This is a helpful website to stay informed about guidance for tourists:

www.hawaii-guide.com

Maui Wildfire updates

Last Updated: August 10, 2023 at 8:00am HSTThis is a ongoing situation, primarily affecting Maui. Beginning August 8, 2023, wildfires flared as Hurricane Dora traveled south of the islands but caused high winds (up to 80mph) that whipped up the fires…Over 270 structures impacted in West...
www.hawaii-guide.com www.hawaii-guide.com
 
NTP66 said:
For the sake of argument, could Marriott (MOC specifically) even offer those rooms to house people? I don't know what percentage is owned by deeded owners, so I assume that this would be very limited.
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You greatly underestimate the power of govt to do whatever it feels like. (and on this one, I'd be on their side)
 
I don't believe I gave an opinion, I was merely asking a question.
 
I feel so badly for the families who have lost homes and loved ones, and I feel almost selfish for being concerned about airline refunds.
 
lmnanea said:
If they don't cancel, consideration to reschedule urged by authorities. Any which way, good luck for safe travels. For more official updates, https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts
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I can almost see Kona Coast Resort from here. It's just down the road.

Let me say this as plainly as possible: If you put a gun to my head, I couldn't get a fire going right now unless I had a blow torch. Kona Coast (and me) are in one of the more wet areas of the west side, where rising humid air condenses and falls back as rain nearly every afternoon. I'm typing this at 9am because it's too wet to go work on my farm.

Yes, there are fires on the Big Island. And yes, tourists should stay out of everyone's way as they fight the fires. (I think tourists should try to stay out of everyone's way regardless. Too many of them are clueless and have zero situational awareness.) But there is no monolithic "Hawaii Weather Report." It's still, calm and damp here. Other places are hot, windy and dry. But nearly everyone gets their weather from the airport -- which isn't accurate more than 10 miles away; and is the same basically every day.
 
WaikikiFirst said:
You greatly underestimate the power of govt to do whatever it feels like. (and on this one, I'd be on their side)
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The resident population of Lahaina is about 12K. The number of actual, full-time residents (and not people trying to get a homestead exemption and have someplace else to live) is probably lower. Maui receives around 250K visitors per month*. So there is PLENTY of room at the inn. And if the resorts won't do the right thing on their own, absolutely the government should make with the stick (and not the carrot) to house the homeless.

* Yes, yes, more in the winter, less in the summer. But ALWAYS more visitors on the island than residents.
 
Marriott Ocean Club

Guests should be aware of the following:

Important Weather Update​

Please note the resort, and much of the Western Maui coast, remains without power, telephone and internet service.
While all wind and red flag advisories in Hawaii related to Hurricane Dora have been terminated, multiple wildfires continue to burn and are not yet contained. Due to limited resources on Maui, visitors are being asked to leave Maui as soon as possible.
In its third emergency proclamation, the Hawaii governor’s office continues to discourage nonessential travel to the island of Maui through August 31. While widespread evacuations are necessary in and around Lahaina and the island of Maui, nonessential travel to the island must stop to allow an effective emergency response to the wildfires.
  • At this time, the management team is monitoring the evolving situation and preparing the resort for possible evacuation.
  • Maui County has posted that they are organizing a mass bus evacuation to take visitors directly to the Kahului Airport from a Lahaina location, with personal vehicles being permitted to the airport through Kahakuloa.
  • The national guard is assisting with disaster relief. Three shelters are currently open on the island. No traffic, except emergency personnel, is allowed into West Maui.
In collaboration with the governor’s proclamation, we are advising incoming Owners and guests to delay flying into Maui until more information is available as to evacuation status, power grid, infrastructure, and resort access.
Many airlines have cancelled flights into Maui and added extra flights to transport visitors out of Maui. The Transportation Security Administration reported that seats are available on outgoing flights at Kahului Airport.

We encourage you to actively monitor the current situation before you depart and check flight status through your airline carrier. Further updates on resort operating status will be provided on this page should conditions warrant.
 
To everyone on Maui and Lahaina please be safe our prays are with you.
Mercy Chefs from Virginia are headed to Maui and Lahaina with meals.
 
pedro47 said:
To everyone on Maui and Lahaina please be safe our prays are with you.
Mercy Chefs from Virginia are headed to Maui and Lahaina with meals.
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If I was in charge, the USNS Mercy (docked in San Diego) would already be underway. Having the Mercy there sooner than later would almost certainly save lives. I don't know how close it can get (I assume it draws deeper than the harbor can handle). But that's what tenders and helicopters are for.
 
Does anyone know if Kula Lodge burned? I have heard conflicting reports. We just stayed up there two weeks ago, and it would be another big loss for Maui if we lost that place too.
 
MauiLover said:
Does anyone know if Kula Lodge burned? I have heard conflicting reports. We just stayed up there two weeks ago, and it would be another big loss for Maui if we lost that place too.
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So much misinformation. There were many reports and re-posts that Kula Lodge was gone, and then about Noon today, on the Kula Lodge FB page they posted an update --
"BIG MAHALOS to our amazing team who have been working nonstop to clear off the property from all the debris and wind damage.
1f44f.png

Those were the strongest wind gusts we’d ever seen!
1f440.png

We had many trees down or broken, destroyed canopies and lots of debris but we are fine!
1f332.png
As of this morning, still no power or water, but we pray it will be back on soon.
1f64f_1f3fc.png

Please kokua and do not come on property until we announce that it’s safe and we are open.
We continue to work around the clock to get back into shape to open and help out our community.
1f49c.png

Stay tuned for more updates!"
 
TravelTime said:
I am not saying caring about the banyan tree is bad. I am just saying that I think it comes across as insensitive to post about it at a time like this.
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I understand your point, but its also a very visual location that many people can picture in their minds and have memories of.

I am concerned for locals who have lost family members, homes and jobs. I really liked many of the places to eat, but I will be honest and say I only have a vague or general image of the buildings that housed Fleetwoods, Kimo's etc. My memories of those locations are mostly the food and people i enjoyed the meals with.

I can however clearly picture the giant Banyan tree, relaxing in the shade and my time there. The buildings could be replaced in a few years, yes it may take longer due to rules and logistics, but they can be rebuilt. You cannot force a a tree to grow faster...
 
Can't two things be true at the same time?

1) I am very concerned about the people and city of Lanaina.
2) I am very concerned about our own timeshares.
 
Moderators: please merge this thread with the established thread in the Hawaii forum.
 
10spro said:
We have reservations arriving mid-Oct. So many people saying to cancel, but I'm wondering if we should go. We are not typical tourists, have been to the islands many times, will be respectful of the challenges, and hope to help the efforts while we're there. Will need to decide in the next few days to cancel or not, and I don't think there will be any official statement by then. The "don't come" message doesn't give a timeframe because they don't know one yet, but they'll still need tourist dollars to help sustain the businesses that did survive.
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The whole island has a population of ~150,000 and they just lost an entire town that housed ~10,000 people, so 7% of locals are conceivably homeless. Some huge percentage of Hawaiians (15-20% IIRC) were receiving food assistance *before* this disaster.

I think this is going to be on a Katrina scale and timeframe of recovery - a lot of the same issues: a historic area that has a rich culture, but a high level of poverty, complex politics, and other factors increasing the difficulty of recovery.

The idea that they will be looking for volun-tourism in two months is extremely optimistic, IMO.
NTP66 said:
For the sake of argument, could Marriott (MOC specifically) even offer those rooms to house people? I don't know what percentage is owned by deeded owners, so I assume that this would be very limited.
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One solution would be to rent out the weeks for the cost of the annual maintenance fees as disaster housing. That bill will likely be paid by the federal government. We had tons of Katrina refugees living for months if not years in long-term stay hotels in Dallas and Houston. If the roads leading to the timeshares aren't open to tourists, what better use is there?
 
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DeniseM said:
Can't two things be true at the same time?

1) I am very concerned about the people and city of Lanaina.
2) I am very concerned about our own timeshares.
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But people should be more concerned about #1. Insurance will take care of #2.

I really wish I had an "in" with the Navy. Or knew someone who can see what's happening in San Diego. What is the point of having massive hospital ships which can take care of the aftermath of massive disasters, if not this?

This is not a "these things take time" situation. No power. And an island full of people who need dialysis, will have heart problems, heat stroke, dehydration and the usual laundry list of medical emergencies. What are our taxes for if not this? Why is Hawaii a state if they're not priority #1 when this happens?

1,700 buildings destroyed. This is not the time to slow-walk the relief efforts. I want to see a "Berlin Air Lift" level of concern.
 
It is very, very normal to latch on to a plant such as the Banyan or even an inanimate object in the wake of a disaster. The Survivor Tree in Oklahoma City ended up being incorporated into the bombing memorial.
Doing so in no way detracts from your ability to show concern for the human beings affected.

I would happily donate my KBR 2024 week if there were a legitimate organized program to do so. 52 owners donating their weeks houses a family for a year. The exchange companies (RCI/II) could help encourage and facilitate this. They could even sweeten the pot for some folks by offering "bonus weeks" or somesuch for donations.
 
I think some of you are, for whatever reason, assuming that we think #1 is more important than #2. Weird.
 
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