Amidst the wildfires wreaking havoc in Hawaii, Paris Hilton was photographed Saturday enjoying the Maui beach with her husband and son, sparking discussions about the role of tourists in times of disaster, as Hawaiian tourism authorities pleaded with tourists to depart, in order to free up hotel accommodations for displaced locals and enable island officials to concentrate on wildfire recovery efforts.
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Hilton was photographed with her husband Carter Reum, and their 7-month-old son Phoenix at a resort in Wailea, a mere 30 miles away from the ravaged town of Lahaina, as the death toll in Maui has surged to 96, marking this disaster as the most severe wildfire in the United States in a century.
Hilton's choice to continue her island vacation a stone's throw away from the tragedy has ignited a debate. The fires have left devastation in their wake, obliterating more than 2,200 structures in West Maui and racking up damage costs nearing $6 billion across the entire island.
Meanwhile, merely five miles from her vacation spot, a smaller fire in south Maui's Kihei area was still ablaze on Sunday, underscoring the ongoing risks.
The heiress, 42, arrived on the island on Tuesday with her husband, and son – the very same day that the wildfires engulfed the town of Lahaina, reducing it to ashes.
A source close to Hilton told the DailyMail: "She has been absolutely helping. Maui has always held a special place in her heart. She has been gathering supplies and taking them to shelters and those who need them. She already did and continues to do so."
Hilton shared photos from Greece on Sunday, suggesting that the family might have left the island since the images were taken. Furthermore, she posted stories asking her followers to contribute and assist those in need in Hawaii, signaling a shift in her approach following the scrutiny.