Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@prideofgypsies /PATRICK T. FALLON / Contributor
Topics: Jason Momoa, US News, Hawaii
Callum Jones
Topics: Jason Momoa, US News, Hawaii
First large parts of Europe including the likes of Greece were hit with fires, and now Hawaii is currently dealing with wildfires that have devastated communities.
The fires first began across the island of Maui last week, with the town of Lahaina being majorly hit.
Officials have said that 96 people have lost their lives so far as a result of the wildfires, and it is believed that the figure is likely to rise, the BBC reports.
Not only has the fires brought a tremendous loss to life, but local communities have also been rocked by the devastation that these fires have left in their wake.
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Rescue efforts have been ongoing to help those in need, while aid is being sent over to help those impacted.
Hawaii obviously has a large tourist scene, with an estimated 9.2 million people visiting the state in 2022, according to data from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
However, Jason Momoa - perhaps one of the most famous Hawaiians - has warned tourists to stay away while Hawaii is struggling with the wildfires.
The Aquaman star took to social media over the weekend to share a series of images and a video showcasing the devastating consequences the wildfires are having on Hawaii.
Alongside those poignant images, the actor wrote: "Do not travel to Maui. Do not convince yourself that your presence is needed on an island that is suffering this deeply.
"Mahalo [thank you] to everyone who has donated and shown aloha to the community in this time of need."
That wasn't the only warning for tourists though, as the post, which was originally created by the non-profit organisation Aina Momona, said that tourists should stay away for the foreseeable as the wildfires will have 'a lasting island-wide impact on Maui’s resources'.
"Our community needs time to heal, grieve and restore," the post added.
"That means the less visitors on the island taking up critical resources that have become extremely limited the better."
The Fast and Furious actor did not stop there, however, and reiterated his warning for tourists to stay away from the state.
Taking to his Instagram stories on Sunday (13 August), Momoa wrote: "Maui is closed. Visitors: out of respect for the residents who have lost their homes, out of respect for our deceased loved ones still being discovered, please stay away while we mourn and recover from this catastrophic disaster.
"We are still in shock please allow us time and space to begin healing."