Tourists urged to stay away from Maui as death toll set to rise

A member of the search and rescue team walks with her dog near Front Street (Rick Bowmer/AP)

Hawaii officials have urged tourists to avoid travelling to Maui as many hotels prepare to house evacuees on an island that faces a long recovery from the wildfire that demolished a historic town and killed more than 90 people.

About 46,000 residents and visitors have flown out of Kahului Airport in West Maui since the devastation in Lahaina became clear on Wednesday, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority.