Maui search teams sift through ashes as hundreds await fate of loved ones

The cause of the fire has not been determined, and many survivors have said they went unwarned before the inferno rapidly swept through town, fueled by wind gusts that reached 80 miles (130 km) per hour. Some people were forced to flee into the Pacific Ocean to escape the flames.

Two lawsuits have already been filed on behalf of residents against Hawaiian Electric Industries, claiming its equipment was responsible. A spokesperson for the utility told CNN it would not comment on pending litigation; the company has said it will cooperate with the state in investigating the cause of the fire.

Officials have urged tourists to consider rescheduling travel plans to West Maui, and visitors have largely heeded calls to depart the island. About 46,000 people had flown out of Kahului Airport, Maui's main airport, between Wednesday and Saturday, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Some residents voiced their frustration with tourists who chose to stay in Maui.

"We don't want tourists here at all," Basil Spring said in a post on Monday on X, formerly known as Twitter. "We need the time to heal as an island and to take care of our Lahaina ohana," he said, using a Hawaiian term for "family."

"Get out and stay out."

But businesses in other parts of the island were concerned that cutting off tourism for all of Maui could hurt workers elsewhere.

"50 percent of our visitor economy still exists and is thriving in South Maui," the Maui Fresh Streatery food truck posted on Facebook. "Lahaina and West Maui is CLOSED for tourism. Respect our time to deal with this tragedy. Don't try to sneak in and play tourist there because it is sacred ground. But I truly feel the Maui is still open."

Reuters