We’ve known for some time now that West Maui would reopen to tourists on October 8th.
08.09.2023 - 18:27 / forbes.com / Josh Green / Richard Bissen
After the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority initially asked all tourists to leave the island of Maui, Governor Josh Green invited visitors back to the island just two weeks later, citing the need for economic recovery.
That invitation did not include the west coast of Maui, however, where wildfires devastated the town of Lāhainā and surrounding areas.
Investigation and cleanup efforts were simultaneously underway, and many hotels in the area were closed, offering housing for displaced residents and emergency workers.
But yesterday, the Governor laid out his vision for tourism recovery and set October 8th as the target date for West Maui’s resort areas to reopen to visitors, once again citing concerns of economic loss.
“We’re... going to try to support families and businesses and everyone in their survival so... they also are able to survive economically,” Green said of the plans to reopen the resort areas.
The town of Lāhainā, however, will remain closed indefinitely.
“There of course will be no traffic to Lāhainā,” Green said. “Lāhainā is lost, but to the other parts of the region like Kaʻanapali and Kapalua, those parts of our state are going to be available for people to travel to again.”
The announcement comes as Hawaiʻi’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism released a new study that predicted a $2 billion loss and a sharp economic decline for the entire state.
For residents of Maui, the reactions are surely to be split. Tourism businesses have already been calling for visitors to return, and there’s no question that places like Kaʻanapali and Kapalua need visitors to avoid further economic loss.
However, Maui also remains in a state of mourning, with 115 people confirmed dead and approximately 1,500 homes destroyed (2,200 structures total).
What’s worse: Many of Maui’s political brass, including Mayor Richard Bissen, have come under fire for not answering basic questions about their response to the fire.
At least two officials have resigned thus far, prompting raised eyebrows and even a few conspriacy theories.
As I wrote at the end of August, the lack of clarity seems to be making Maui’s road to recovery longer, not shorter.
Governor Green is hoping that reopening parts of West Maui one month from today can be a step in the right direction. A lot can happen in a month. But there are still major hurdles to conquer, including the resettlement of each of the 1,500 families who lost their homes.
If you choose to visit Maui in the near future, I recommend a few things, regardless of where you stay:
1) Go with a heavy heart. Economic recovery is a real thing, and many companies will certainly appreciate your business. However, we recommend visiting with a heavy heart. That is, recognize
We’ve known for some time now that West Maui would reopen to tourists on October 8th.
As TPG has previously reported, and you likely know all too well, the Maui wildfires caused significant damage to Lahaina, with more than 2,400 residences destroyed and far too many lives lost. Recovery efforts are still ongoing. And now, the community must deal with the reality of economic recovery while also rebuilding homes and businesses and managing the emotional toll.
From just outside the burn zone in Lahaina, Jes Claydon can see the ruins of the rental home where she lived for 13 years and raised three children. Little remains recognizable beyond the jars of sea glass that stood outside the front door.
On the PBS show America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston, the second season of which is airing now, each episode showcases a gorgeous spot in the United States, and the ways in which a half dozen or so local residents enjoy the place. In an upcoming Oregon episode, Emmy-nominated host, producer, comedian, and writer Baratunde Thurston checks out a roller derby in Portland, cowboys on a sustainable ranch, forest bathers, an underwater kelp forest, a community garden recultivating native foods, and more. As spectacular as the settings are, it’s the people he’s met and their dedication to the planet that he finds endlessly remarkable.
It’s been ten days since Hawaii’s governor announced that West Maui would reopen to tourists on October 8th, but the debate seems to just be heating up now.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green has been a busy man.
Maui’s tourism recovery has been moving at a sluggish pace since the wildfires devastated the island’s western region in early August. One factor: Tourists have been slow to return out of sensitivity to locals.
Private rail operator Brightline will open long-awaited passenger service between Miami and Orlando on September 22, three weeks later than previously planned.
As the plane descends to Maui’s airport in Kahului, it’s readily apparent how sharply tourism has dropped off following the massive fires a month ago: hundreds of unrented rental cars parked in a field near the runway. In the aftermath of the blaze that leveled the historic town of Lahaina and caused so much personal suffering and loss, it was understandable for Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green to advise visitors not to come to Maui. Now facing the financial devastation of an island that depends on tourism, the government changed its position and is urging visitors to come, including to the resort areas of West Maui north of Lahaina which are reopening October 8th. But should visitors listen?
West Maui will officially welcome visitors again next month following the devastating wildfires that swept the paradise destination in August.
Hawaii will reopen most of West Maui to tourists starting on October 8, Governor Josh Green announced on Friday. Only Lahaina will be remained closed to the public. Tourists will be able to visit Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai, and Kapalua.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced last week that West Maui’s hotels and resorts would reopen to visitors as soon as October 8th.