MINNEAPOLIS — There is a dire situation still unfolding on the second-largest Hawaiian island of Maui.
"Unprecedented" wildfires have now killed at least 36 people, dozens of others have been injured and close to 300 buildings have been damaged or destroyed.
Hawaiian authorities say there are a total of 6 fires burning, which officials say are being fueled by drought conditions and 85-mile-per-hour wind gusts from Hurricane Dora.
Mass evacuations are underway, and hundreds of people have been forced into shelters, many of which are without power right now.
These wildfires are also impacting travel across the country.
Several airlines are changing their schedules to help get people off the island and there are a lot of unknowns right now for those who have already booked a trip to Maui.
Doug Moorhouse at Carrousel Travel says many of the hotels in the area are closed, not due to damage, but because workers can't safely get there, or they're dealing with homes that have been destroyed by wildfire.
"It is something we're seeing with our clients and we're working with them right now.” Moorhouse says.
"The hardest impact has been the town of Lahaina, which appears to have been destroyed. A very historic town. Lots of houses, lots of businesses, that area will definitely be something that won't be able to be visited or accessible."
But Hawaiian authorities say many of the other popular tourism spots haven't been hit, yet.
So, Moorhouse is encouraging his clients to wait before they cancel their trips.
"We're saying to wait and see for things, because we don't know the whole impact of what is all going to be affected."
Monique Delph at A1 Travel agrees, travelers with flights this fall and winter should hold steady, because even with travel insurance there's a chance that with these wildfires you may not be covered.
"That depends on the insurance people purchase and the policies people purchase,” Delph says.
"If you have travel insurance, travel insurance isn't going to necessarily cover it unless your physical location or hotel, the place you were going to stay, is uninhabitable,” Moorhouse adds.
So, if you're planning a trip, read the fine print to see what's covered, and if you already bought tickets agents say reach out to the airline and hotels to see what your options are.
"Don't make rash decisions, wait and see what happens over the next week or two,” Delph says.
Starting on December 16th Delta will offer a new direct flight from MSP to Maui.
An airline spokesperson tells KARE-11 News that nothing has changed when it comes to these new flights, the plan is to still offer these seasonal direct flights from MSP to Maui from December 16th through March of 2024.
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