Hawaii Travel Update: Maui Mayor Announces That Not All West Maui Hotels Will Open October 8th, Lays Out Phased Reopening Plan

27.09.2023 - 22:05 / forbes.com / Richard Bissen / Will Open

We’ve known for some time now that West Maui would reopen to tourists on October 8th.

But on Wednesday, Maui’s Mayor Richard Bissen released brand-new details about how the island will go about reopening the resort areas surrounding Lahaina, which will remain closed indefinitely.

At first, it was presumed that the entirety of West Maui (except for Lahaina) would reopen simultaneously on October 8th.

Now, the new announcement informs that the coastline will be reopened in chunks for a more manageable reopening, helping residents settle back into work, find appropriate childcare, get their children back into school, and find long-term housing, a local report said.

Interestingly enough, the Mayor went so far as to name specific hotels as the northern and southern markers of the land chunks, with all hotels in between supposedly approved to reopen.

Also of note is that while the plan involves three phases, only the first has a determined launch date. Phase 2 will only happen after Phase 1 has been deemed a success, and likewise for Phase 3 after Phase 2.

The reopening will start up north in Kapalua/Napili, and then work its way south.

Here’s how it will look:

Phase 1

Phase 1 will begin on October 8th and include everything from the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua down to the Kahana Villas in Napili.

Phase 2

Phase 2 will begin “following an assessment of phase 1 reopening” and included everything from Mahinahina in Napili to Maui Kaanapali Villas in Kaanapali.

Phase 3

Phase 3 will “begin following an assessment of phase 2 reopening,” but this one could take even a little while longer. Home to a majority of still-displaced residents, the government is buying itself more time to address long-term housing solutions for displaced residents. This area begins at the Royal Lahaina Resort in Kaanapali and goes down to the Hyatt Regency.

What it Means for Travelers

As of this writing, we don’t have the parameters by which the Mayor and his team will assess the progress of Phase 1, making it difficult to guess with any certainty when Phases 2 and 3 might take place. Days? Weeks? Months?

Though more details are sure to surface in the coming days, for now, it’s hard to say when Phase 3 properties might be able to accept your reservation.

If your keen on visiting West Maui asap, you’ll want to head north to Kapalua/Napali, and focus on the northern portion of West Maui.

Though typically more expensive, there are many beautiful properties in the area, including one of the island’s most culturally significant resorts.

If you visit, I ask that you consider some advice before traveling to Maui.