LATEST Aug. 9, 2:51 p.m. During a press conference, Ed Sniffen, director of the Hawaii State Department of Transportation, announced that the airports are operating efficiently but that “There’s another 4,000 visitors that we’re expecting will want to leave the island from the west side.” 

“This is not a safe place to be,” Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke said during the press conference. 

Delta Airlines told SFGATE that it’s provided two additional flights “to help accommodate customers from flights canceled on Aug. 8 due to conditions on the ground.” 

The wildfires began on Aug. 8. and stranded nearly 2,000 people at Maui’s Kahului Airport overnight.

The Hawaii Department of Transportation wrote in a statement that, “Approx. 1,800 people sheltered in place overnight at the Kahului Airport (OGG), with many west side highways closed. HDOT worked with airlines/TSA to shelter passengers for safety’s sake as wildfires continue to burn in Lahaina and upcountry.”

SFGATE reached out to the Maui County communications office for an update but did not receive response before publication time.

The wildfire sparked on Tuesday amid Hurricane Dora near the historic town of Lahaina. The popular tourist attraction Front Street is suspected to be heavily damaged. 

The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort And Spa is located near Lahaina and The Points Guy reported the resort is currently without power and beachfront resorts in the area have lost communication abilities, per the Maui Emergency Management Agency.