I was just asked to do an interview with KCAL/CBS news here in Los Angeles about whether or not people should be traveling to Maui yet? When the interview request came in, I was getting a massage and the masseuse I see always softly plays Hawaiian music in the background because it’s my favorite. About 15 minutes into the massage, I just couldn’t relax because I couldn’t stop thinking about the poor people in Maui who have lost everything so I asked her to switch the track.
When I returned home and saw the KCAL interview request in my email, I immediately called my friend from Visit Maui to get her input since I didn’t want to give any bad advice. I had a good idea what she was going to say since I’ve been reading the news and sharing it daily in my newsletter (scroll down to read some of those stories.)
I also interviewed my friend Mike Binder for my podcast; he splits his time between Maui and L.A. and was nearby at the time of the fires. You can read/listen to my interview with Binder here.
Binder and everyone else who works in tourism all say that travelers should come to Maui but be respectful. Most importantly, stay away from West Maui where the devastating fires happened. In other words, “Respect the west but visit the rest.”
Keep in mind Maui is a large and beautiful island at 727 square miles so it’s comparable to the state of Rhode Island—1,045 square miles. There are a lot of places to visit besides West Maui.
Visit Maui’s official statement:
So you have it straight from the horse’s mouth, here’s Visit Maui’s official statement: “In West Maui, recent wildfires have resulted in the devastating loss of loved ones, homes, cultural and historical sites, and businesses in Lahaina. We are grateful for the outpouring of support for Maui from around the world, from sharing memories and offering their assistance, to asking questions about travel to Maui and the rest of the state. While vacation travel to West Maui (including Lahaina, Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, and Kapalua) is strongly discouraged through October 17, travel to all other parts of Maui (including Kahului, Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena, Pāʻia, Makawao and Hāna) and other Hawaiian Islands are welcomed to keep residents employed and our economy alive.”
After speaking to my friend in the tourism office and doing some more research before my interview, I started thinking that maybe my family and I should go to Maui this weekend to support the people of the island. I checked airfares and was shocked that we could depart on Friday and return on Monday for $197 roundtrip on both American Airlines and United. Hawaiian Airlines was $247. See screenshot below.
As if reading my mind, few minutes later, I received an email from Hawaiian Airlines with the subject line, “How you can show your love for Maui.” Here’s what they wrote:
“The Valley Isle holds a special place in our hearts. While non-essential travel to West Maui is strongly discouraged after the wildfires of August 2023, The Hawaii Tourism Authority recommends visiting other areas of Maui, like the historic town of Paia or the sunny beaches of Kihei. Our local businesses are ready and waiting for you. As a visitor, you can have a positive impact. While you’re on Maui, remember to Travel Pono — to travel responsibly and thoughtfully — and show your aloha for our cultures and communities. Respect areas that are healing, support local businesses, and take your time to appreciate this extraordinary place. Together, let’s show our love for the Valley Isle and support the road to recovery. Here are some tips to make your visit more meaningful.”
The kicker is that Hawaiian Airlines is offering $82 one-way fares to Kahului, Maui (screenshot below) which is pretty much unheard of.
So, the good folks of Maui are asking for you not to put off your trip to the Valley Isle or plan a future one. And as I write this piece, I just turned on some Hawaiian music, thinking of the locals, reminiscing about our past trips, especially our visit this past January, and dreaming of future trips, possibly as early as this weekend.
More Maui Stories:
Maui struggles with “potentially catastrophic” tourism shortfall
After wildfires on Maui killed over 100 people and destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, officials told people looking to travel to the Hawaiian island to stay away. Now, as the economic toll of the fires grows, that message has changed. West Maui is losing about $9 million a day, and the rest of the island is feeling the impact. Gina Dello, a cafe owner in South Maui, said that business at her establishment came to a screeching halt in the wake of the fires. CBS News
Maui business owners need tourism to survive, but say visitors should rethink how they use resources: ‘It’s not Disneyland’
Two weeks ago, deadly fires ravaged Maui, leaving behind physical and economic devastation. Now, businesses say they need tourism to stay afloat and keep their workers employed. But there’s a tricky fine line between economy-sustaining tourism and a strain on local resources. Insider
Many Maui restaurants were destroyed in the fires. For those that survived, their future remains uncertain
On August 8, the day that Maui was overcome with flames, Qiana Di Bari saw a puff of smoke near her home and knew she and her family had to escape. Earlier that day, a fire had been spotted and put out in her vibrant Lahaina neighborhood. But by late afternoon, Di Bari was hearing of more fires elsewhere on the island. The island’s resources, she knew, were stretched thin. CNN
I’m a small business owner on Maui. We need tourists to keep coming to support the economy and it’s super irresponsible to tell them to stay away.
Javier Cantellops has lived in Maui for eight years and owns three diving businesses. Cantellops told Insider it’s irresponsible to tell tourists to stay away from Maui after the fires. He said the rest of Maui can’t help devastated Lahaina if they lose their jobs or businesses. Insider
As tourism drops officials worry about rest of Maui
As recovery continues for West Maui, there are growing concerns about the economy for the rest of the island. Officials said tourism is down 20% compared to last year. Hotel occupancy is down to 57% while the rest of the state is about 80%. While helping survivors is still the top priority, tourism officials said there’s the danger of not having enough jobs for Maui residents. “The balance has to be struck that we cannot shut down the rest of Maui. Maui is the most dependent county on tourism and without tourism, they are in a world of hurt because there are no short term economic alternatives,” said Mufi Hannemann, president of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association. KHON2
How to be a good visitor on Maui
Supporting local businesses is the quickest and best way to get Maui back on its feet again. While many think of airfare and hotel stays as being the primary beneficiary of tourism dollars, Gomes points out that it’s a much larger economic ecosystem than that. “It’s our local restaurants,” declared Gomes. “It’s important to note that there are a number of businesses that all support the visitor industry, right, cleaning services and staffing services and HR services, all of these people play a role in supporting what makes up the primary elements of the visitor industry.” KHON2
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Ahhh Maui… Hawaii… the most UNwelcome place in the world. It appears as locals have been “washed” since childhood that white people bring diseases, infections, invasive plants, etc. and NOT their food and luxury life they enjoy. Locals – enjoy your life without us white rich ugly fat Americans (aka foreigners)!
I live on Maui since 1986 and am a white older woman now. Each person who comes as a tourist makes their own experience here. Open your heart and say YES to what is offered to you her from Mother Maui. It is these tourists who have the best experience here and feel enveloped by the aloha received here. Those people who feel separation came here feeling that already within themselves
and that is reflected back to them. Come with the heartfelt what can i do for Maui….and Maui will envelope you with loving kindness.
Is there any places to stay??
I agree with you Jesse. Lived there for 5 years the local attitude was terrible towards white people from the USA.
Just tried to book a flight from Chicago to Maui on multiple dates and nothing was even available.
My wife and I just booked a trip to Kihei for 7 days, as way to show our support through our dollars and our time. We will do our small part to help the local economy and will also be doing some volunteer work during our stay, and do it with grace, and respect for the island we have come to love over the years.
While that is all well and good, the lodging rates are at exorbitant pricing, making it almost impossible for an average traveler to visit. I am not sure I would also want to take up a hotel room when a Maui resident or relief crews might needs it. I am not trying to take advantage of a bad situation with cheap airfare then pay over $700/nt for a hotel room. I looked across three upcoming months. Perhaps that money I would spend would be better spent donating. Just my opinion.
I truly am sorry for the fire, mismanagement of resources during the fire and profound loss of life in Maui. That being said, sadly you couldn’t pay me to go there. Ever. Since even before COVID and this fire, all I ever heard was ‘Colonizer’ this, ‘Howlie’ that, ‘we don’t want you here making everything more expensive for the locals’, and that last one I’ve lived as a former Seattleite priced out of the city by big tech moving in driving rents and mortgages sky high even in regular neighborhoods away from touristy areas. Was told by a Hawaiian in WA they hated the sugar plants moving in years ago, and now that they’re gone (non-irrigated land now) they’re mad. So much anger about everything, all the time. They don’t want to be a part of the US (understandable from the aspect of they had no choice initially), but they sure as heck want U.S. help and U.S. money now, which of course they should get because they are an American state! But I can’t imagine paying to go to a place I have felt so very unwelcome to visit for so long. I made donations to the relief funds there that locals posted about, and I genuinely hope South Maui can and will be rebuilt, and quickly. But they’ll never see a cent of tourism money from me because it’s been made very clear to me that tourists are at best tolerated there but not truly welcome. Not very aloha of you ask me, but…?!
The rest of Maui also includes West Maui from Kaanapali and north. The road is OPEN. Gas stations, food stores, and others are open. My property in Napili-Honokowai has power, water, cell, and internet. Life there is almost normal except there are no people to spend money and support the people and business there. Yes, avoid Lahaina Town, but there is absolutely no reason that this area of West Maui cannot be enjoyed like the rest of Maui.
From a Maui resident….
Maui can’t afford another economic bust after we have really begun to see the financial light after COVID. While ‘the rest’ of Maui is open and needing tourists, they might have a hard time finding accommodations. The majority of displaced Lahaina residents are staying in hotels, condos and BnB’s on the island. And we have a lot of off-island aid workers here, as well. Only the restaurants in Lahaina were destroyed. Food is plentiful in restaurants in Kihei, Wailea and Paia. The rest of the island and beaches are still beautiful and welcoming.
you cannot say “masseuse,” when speaking of a professional massage therapist. educate self!
Locals still harbor animosity towards tourists. It’s tough to balance being considerate of Maui and enjoying yourself. A vacation should not be primarily a charity tour. I’d say wait.