Jason Momoa has urged people not to travel to wildfire-ravaged Hawaii to help fight the devastation caused by the disaster.
The Honolulu-born Aquaman actor, 44, issued a stern warning to his social media followers as the infernos continued to kill islanders and holidaymakers.
Taking to Instagram over the weekend, Jason shared a carousel of images that included a video of fires alongside the words: ‘Do not travel to Maui.’
The warning continued: ‘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.’
The actor’s post – which was originally created by the non-profit organisation Aina Momona – added that tourists should stay away because the devastation from the natural disaster will have ‘a lasting island-wide impact on Maui’s resources’.
It stated: ‘Our community needs time to heal, grieve and restore. That means the less visitors on the island taking up critical resources that have become extremely limited the better.’
On Sunday, he reiterated the warning, sharing a message on his Instagram stories that read: ‘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.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv0OLrMPvWa/
‘We are still in shock please allow us time and space to begin healing.’
Jason also shared additional posts offering updates on the situation in Hawaii.
Beginning last week, fires spread across Maui island, causing widespread damage – especially in the town of Lahaina, where 55 people were killed.
The Fast & Furious actor also shared links to the donation fund, explaining that they were using specific platforms to get the money to affected families quicker.
Natives and tourists alike have also been devastated by the news that an ancient banyan tree, the largest in the United States, has been scorched in the fires.
Earlier this year, a 150th birthday party was held for the tree, with it having been planted in 1873 – its surrounding area was named Banyan Tree Park.
Satellite images from before and after the fires have revealed the impact of the devastation, with several buildings and homes ‘wiped off the map’.
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