West Maui Reopens to Tourists Near Lahaina Despite Local Opposition

Two months after being severely affected by a devastating wildfire, the region surrounding the town of Maui, near Lahaina, started receiving tourists again on Sunday. This decision comes following a push by both the local mayor and the Governor of Hawaii to revitalize the tourism-dependent economy, despite significant objections from local inhabitants of Lahaina.

According to official sources and the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association, five hotels in West Maui have reopened for bookings. Furthermore, eight timeshare facilities—where guests partially own their accommodations—are slated to open in the area in the early part of this month. Some of these properties are located mere miles away from the zones most impacted by the wildfire.

The reopening coincides with the two-month commemoration of the tragic fire that claimed at least 98 lives and led to the destruction of over 2,000 buildings, including a considerable number of residential structures. Ilihia Gionson of the Hawaii Tourism Authority noted on Sunday that they do not anticipate an immediate surge in tourist numbers. Exact statistics concerning the volume of incoming travelers to the region’s hotels and timeshares were not yet available.

Local opposition to the resumption of tourism in West Maui—which encompasses Lahaina and its northern coastline—has been vocal. Critics argue that the presence of tourists could be insensitive to residents who are still mourning their losses and grappling with the emotional and physical devastation. Over 3,500 locals signed a petition urging Hawaii Governor Josh Green to postpone the reopening. In response, Green maintained that resuming tourism is essential for economic recovery in Maui.

Lisa Paulson, the Executive Director of the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association, indicated that the inflow of tourists is likely to be modest, forecasting a gradual increase in visitor numbers.

Mayor Richard Bissen of Maui County addressed the public on Saturday, recognizing the complex emotions surrounding the reopening. He stressed that while the community is still in mourning, there are those who urgently need to return to work to meet financial and medical needs.

Following the wildfire, thousands of tourists evacuated from hotels north of the affected area. Approximately 11,000 hotel rooms in West Maui have either remained vacant or temporarily accommodated displaced local residents through a program run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross. Bissen assured that efforts are underway to ensure that those taking refuge in temporary housing will not be displaced by incoming tourists.

To encourage responsible tourism, the county has produced a video that suggests attractions outside of West Maui. This includes Paia town on Maui’s north shore and the scenic route to Hana on the eastern side of the island. The video also admonishes tourists to show respect by avoiding the burned areas and refraining from posting insensitive images on social media platforms.

In a separate initiative, the Governor’s Office of Wellness and Resilience created a flyer with guidelines for respectful tourism, which will be disseminated at hotels, car rental agencies, and other tourist-centric locations.

Most of the hotels that are reopening are situated in the northernmost regions of West Maui, some 7 to 10 miles and a 15- to 20-minute drive away from the portions of Lahaina that were impacted by the fire. Contrary to initial indications by Governor Green that only one or two hotels would reopen, several have indeed resumed operations.

Among these is The Mauian hotel, which released a statement on its website affirming that the return of tourists would economically stabilize the region and offer employment opportunities for those severely affected by the disaster. The statement also requests tourists to exhibit sensitivity and respect toward those who have endured significant losses during this challenging period.

Lastly, Paulson stated that although timeshares in the area sometimes cater to non-owners, this practice is currently on hold in West Maui in a bid to show respect to the local community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about West Maui Reopening

More about West Maui Reopening

• Hawaii Tourism Authority Official Website
• Maui Hotel and Lodging Association Information Page
• Hawaii Governor’s Office Press Releases
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Maui Wildfire Relief
• Red Cross Hawaii Disaster Response Updates
• Responsible Tourism Guidelines in Hawaii
• Lahaina Community Petition against Tourism Reopening
• Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Public Addresses
• Hawaii News Now “Spotlight Now” Program Archive
• The Mauian Hotel Official Statement on Reopening