Jason Momoa Has An Important Message For Anyone Thinking Of Traveling To Maui During The Deadly Wildfires

    “Do not convince yourself that your presence is needed on an island that is suffering this deeply.”

    Larry Fitzmaurice
    by Larry Fitzmaurice

    BuzzFeed Staff

    The Maui wildfires, which were fueled by high winds from Hurricane Dora, have been utterly devastating on every level.

    streets with burned down buildings
    Paula Ramon / AFP via Getty Images

    As of this writing, the death toll stands at 80 people so far — the second-deadliest fire in US history — and officials say it's likely to rise.

    burned car among the burned debris
    Paula Ramon / AFP via Getty Images

    The Pacific Disaster Center has estimated that more than 2,200 buildings were damaged in the fires, and that most of the damaged buildings were residential.

    The Washington Post / The Washington Post via Getty Images

    Amidst the devastation's wake, Jason Momoa — who was born in Honolulu and whose father is of Native Hawaiian ancestry — is sending an important message to any and all travelers considering a trip to Maui in the near future.

    closeup of jason
    Fiona Goodall / Getty Images for Universal Pictures

    Jason shared a video to his IG page with the words "DO NOT TRAVEL TO MAUI" overlaid atop the footage. "Maui is not the place to have your vacation right now," he wrote in the caption. "DO NOT TRAVEL TO MAUI."

    "Do not convince yourself that your presence is needed on an island that is suffering this deeply."

    person wearing a face mask to go through the debris
    Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

    "Mahalo to everyone who has donated and shown aloha to the community in this time of need," he also wrote, before sharing a link to the Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund.

    aerial view of the damage on the island
    Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

    Jason isn't the only celebrity who's spoken out in support of those who have suffered as a result of the Maui wildfires. Earlier this week, the BBC filmed Oprah Winfrey — who lives in Maui part-time — as she handed out supplies to residents at the War Memorial Stadium.

    closeup of oprah
    Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

    "I came earlier, just to see what people needed, and then went shopping because often you make donations of clothes or whatever, and it's not really what people need," she told the network. "So I actually went to Walmart and Costco and got pillows, shampoo, diapers, sheets, pillowcases." 

    Connie Britton — who filmed the first season of the HBO show The White Lotus in Maui — also voiced her support on Instagram. "Maui. My heart is broken," she wrote. "Your loss is all of our loss. Your generous island and shores held us so lovingly when we shot @thewhitelotus during covid in 2020."

    closeup of connie
    Amy Sussman / Getty Images

    "And now we send massive love and strength for recovery during this unbearable time. You will always be a brilliant gleaming gem with a gorgeous heart and unbreakable spirit."

    cars left in the middle of the streets
    Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

    Head here for more information on the Maui wildfires, and head here for one of the many ways you can help those affected.