The destruction left behind by wind-powered, dry environment-fueled wildfires in Hawaii has devastated parts of the island state. On Maui, residents and travelers were shocked to see the damage the blazes caused in just hours and days.
A horrifyingly large part of Maui's historic Lahaina touristic district on Maui was all but destroyed in many areas. The death toll had reached at least 36 people by Thursday. SEE MORE: Here's how you can help Maui residents amid deadly wildfiresScripps News was at a Maui airport where thousands of tourists were trying to evacuate the island. Most of the flights were on time on Thursday after a list of cancellations earlier in the week.
Scripps New confirmed that around 11,000 people were attempting to evacuate as the wildfires continued to burn. Travelers who left Maui and touched down on the U.S. mainland's West coast said they were exhausted after getting a pre-evacuation warning, then having sometimes less than an hour to gather their belongings and evacuate.
Ed Sniffen of the Hawaii Department of Transportation said,"We really appreciate what the airlines have done ... Alaska, Delta, United, and American have increased capacity by bringing in larger planes to ensure we get more seats to get people off the island." Hawaii's Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke said,"This is not a safe place to be.