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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If you think it’s climate change, you should really open your eyes.
I guess you rich fat white people get a taste of what you’ve been giving out for years. Wonder why there is this feeling of disdain for white people?? I pray for the people of Maui. I wouldn’t not visit during a time of uncertainty of so many lives still missing, unable to even have services for their loved ones who have died as a result of the fires to name a few. This is a state of mourning. Maui needs our prayers and financial support right now.
I was in Maui last year hiking Haleakala. I managed to get by without renting a car and using the bus system. However, be forewarned, Maui has been transformed over the years to a very developed island, which was literally overrun with tourists – all in their rental cars. It’s popularity has driven, not only hotel prices sky high, but housing and everything else up as well. I’m not sure if it even has an off-season anymore. So I don’t think your $89 airfare is going to help much! I still love the place, especially when you get off the beaten track. Or, you can stay on Kaanapali Beach. Plenty of Marriott resort brands from which to choose.
Laura S……… sounds like the people that were directly affected are so deep in their morning (with good reason) that there is some level of unrecognized shellfishness. ALL the other locals and businesses that weren’t directly affected by the horrible fires don’t have any way to take advantage of any insurance funds or ask for financial support. They can’t afford for tourist NOT to go and enjoy Maui.
Regarding feeling unwelcome by the locals….. that has NEVER happened to me when I visit. We have visited close to 15-20 times. It has to be in the person’s attitude that is visiting. Every time we go, we thank the locals for letting us visit their beautiful island. Just last week on Kauai I was told she could “feel my Aloha”. It’s all in the attitude that we as visitors have.
Well, some of you need to realize that families have lost loved ones and are trying to find them through their own DNA. Death an destruction are haunting the island at this time. Reschedule your vacation? Have some empathy!! Prayers for Maui 🙏🙏🕯🕯
Massage Therapist** masseuse is derogatory and not professional. Please change the wording!
I agree. I have been to Hawaii several times, Maui 3 times. There are more welcoming places in the world. I don’t plan to return to Hawaii, ever!
So…climate change… let’s all burn a crapton more jet fuel to visit an island ravaged by fires caused by climate change. Who endorses this!?
I think there needs to be a formal invitation to visit from Hawaiian officials to mainlanders. Make it definite, specific, and welcoming. That way everyone understands and there’s a better chance less animosity.
Seriously, anyone encouraging tourists to come to Hawaii right now, is an ass! If u want to help Maui, stay home, send money (NOT to the Red Cross or other government agency) to one of the locally created and managed resources. THAT is the best way to help people! These people have been through hell! Allow them time to heal! Let the other islands open their doors and accommodations to those that NEED IT. People are flooding to vacation on Kauai now, which is NOT going over well with the locals. We want to help our sister island give other Hawaiians the love , support, and aloha they need, but we can’t when we are bogged down, sold out, at max capacity with well intended kooks bleeding our resources dry. Give it a year, then consider vacationing here. The locals still wont like or want you here (anyone who says otherwise isn’t paying attention or is getting paid!), but at least we will have had time to mourn our families, homes, & history before having to cater to you.
America is a big beautiful country with thousands of opportunities to captivate tourists with their marvels and majesty! Let Hawaii heal and at least for the foreseeable future, go somewhere else please!
Bull tourist not wanted or needed
Maui was the first Island my late husband and I visited and back in the earlyn99’s, we were treated very well But we also made a huge effort to learn about the Hawai’ian culture and kept our tourism to as many locally owned businesses as possible. Given that, I commented a lot on the horrific situation with the fires in Maui, have donated and done what I could. However, that didn’t seem to be enough. I hope it’s not the majority of kanaka maoli, but I was treated very badly online. “ye haole, what do you know?”, “Just stay out of it Grandma white woman”. I was shocked! I had never before experienced that kind of racism. So I’m not sure what to feel. So many kanaka told me I wasn’t needed so to stay out. Others said, quite reasonably, come visit, respect our culture, then go home, which is what I would fully intend to do. Why are ALL whites considered colonizers? It’s no different than being called a former slave holder when my lineage is Northern Italy. This was an eye opener for me. Just saying how it made me feel. And, lastly, I may be haole, but I would like to see all of Hawai’i get their land back.