Hawaiian Airlines is supporting Maui’s economy following the devastating fires earlier this month.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Hawaiian Airlines is supporting Maui’s economy following the devastating fires earlier this month.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
We have visited the islands at least once every year since 1972. Maui being our favorite. We bought a rental condo in Kihei seven years ago. We enjoy 3 visits a year, a month and a half each. Our taxes just went from $9,000 to $14,000 a yr. for a 2 bdrm. 2 bath in Kihei. They say they are going to start charging $30 a day to visit our favorite beach, which is way too high. Unemployment is soaring, this island needs some better management before they are in economic ruin. Pricing people out is not the answer as we support so many businesses. We had planned to live full time in the future and worry we might not be able to afford to now. It’s our home away from home. Stayed 5 months during Covid it was a ghost town and so many businesses had to close. You’d think it should have been a lesson learned. But No, they are making it worse. Biting the hand that feeds them. Ouch!
I tried to get refund for January visit thru Hawaiian airlines only credit was offered, my accommodation was canceled so a displaced family could live there which is great,seems a airline refund would be great so I could rebook at lower fare and use saved money to spend at local business to help maui economy, Hawaiian air seems greedy to me
I am currently staying in West Maui (Kahana area) after arriving on 9/2 with a total of 5 people in my family and we are here partly to deal with our loss of a business in Lahaina, but also to support the local economy. Much of West Maui is open for business or opening soon and visitors are badly needed to keep he economy afloat. Please don’t postpone your visits and help meet this beautiful place alive.
As long as Hawaii remains a one-party state, you will get the same “leadership” just different names.
We have visited Maui numerous times, it’s our favorite island. I was checking hotel rates in Wailea and they seem very high. If they want tourist to return then maybe they should reduce prices. $1000 plus a night seems high when the mist popular area of Maui is off limits. Just my thoughts. We want to come the later part of October but not at those rates.
Lahaina is 15% of Maui. The idiot leaders managed to kill the other 85% telling people.to stay home. I ama Kihe resident. Replace each and every leader.
Based on what I have read the sugar plantations are what killed Maui.
The facts don’t matter. They will find a way to blame this on climate change. Nobody has been able to give a reliable weather prediction more than a few days out. But, they will find a way to convince many people it was beyond their ability to forecast or control what happened. Don’t believe a word of it – they want to keep their jobs.
So what we need are some not out of this world expensive flights and condo prices that didn’t dramatically increase, and I bet more people would go. Unfortunately, I’m now seeing price gouging… 🙁
Mary Kay,
I’m sure all of us would like better prices on everything, all the time. But, to say a high price increase represents price gouging is without proof. Let’s say the owner of a small (or large) hotel is faced with a loss of half his/her guests. If the owner can’t get more guests s/he will have to shut down. A sharp increase in rates may be the only way to avoid shutting down. So, in that case, high prices help the owner and the visitor is also helped in 2 ways – the hotel is available, AND if, instead s/he had to close that would reduce the available rooms in the area and could cause others to increase the price to meet the demand.
Supply and demand is not a one-way street where only we the consumers benefit when supply outstrips demand. The opposite is true as well. And, there is a third, rarely mentioned, component – survival.
Now, yes, prices have skyrocketed in the last 2 1/2 years. Was that due to COVID, poor presidential decisions, greed, or what? I think the book has not yet been written on that chapter in our history.
As usual, we will be in Waikiki Sep 14-30.
Sure Hawaiian airlines has a great sale. Planes don’t make money when they are nearly empty. I looked and hotels on Maui seemed to have doubled in rates. With this in mind the hawaii tax of 12% plus some 4% transient tax would be the same income for the state if the hotels were half full. Fully booked the state would double their income.
Sorry too rich for me.
Search the vacation rental sites in Kihei. Tons of nice 2 bedroom condos for 225 a night right across from beach.
I was in Maui in June (Wailea) and had an Amazing time. I would love to come back soon, but the kids are in school and cannot take a break until Thanksgiving week. Of course, airfare and hotel rates are still looking jacked up during the holidays. Oh well, I wish all well and a speedy recovery from the losses due to the fires. I can understand the fire damage having lived through the 2003 Cedar fire and 2007 Wtch Creek fires in San Diego.
Hawaii people believe that the money they spent fell from the sky. They kept saying that they do not need visitors. They kept saying that visitors money all went to big corporations, to to Hawaii people. Why should anybody go there to be told not to compete for resources with the locals.
Aloha Maui no ka oi , I lived on Maui for four years 43 years ago and still have a lot of love for the island and the people. I was a carpenter and landscaper. I have a lot of feelings for the losses of the people there .
Maybe the Maui accom. providers will entice visitors with slightly more realistic pricing to go along with the lower airfares. Prices for accommodation have been sky high since covid and that as much as anything will keep many of us away despite the desire to return and support.
We are currently scheduled for an Oct 1 arrival with a reservation in Kaanapali. Referencing Donna S , it would appear that businesses in this area well north of Lahaina could possibly be anxiously awaiting the return of visitors. We have always shopped at the Times and patronized Boss Frogs in Napili , as well as the shops and restaurants in Whalers Village . Unfortunately we are heartbroken at the loss of “ The Feast at LeLe”( hoping they rise like a Phoenix). As of today 8-1-23 there has been No cancellation information from our Condo, car rental company or airline. I realize it will be different , but a slow start as soon as possible could be the what Maui needs to pave the difficult road to recovery. It is
Most ethereal place on earth. If your not participating in one of the many activities just stay still, breath n listen to the quiet beauty. I fell in love with it. Please return, I’m unable physically but close my eyes, I’m there.
Hi ~ We had planned to visit Kaanapali area, in Sept, and decided against traveling to Hawai’i so the hotels on Maui could house those who lost their homes in the fires. Aren’t the hotels in Maui still being used to provide refugee housing? We don’t want to cause more harm to this suffering island community.
Must all travel be within the
Sept 4 and Oct 18? Or just booked during that time
Thanks so much,
Kim K
Hi Kim.
Those are the travel dates.
Aloha.
Hello, We are booked in Kahana for October 9-16, 2023. We read that the road Hwy 30 is open. Maui wants visitors. Then you say on your website that West Maui is closed until at least October 17. Should we rebook for October 17? Is that date guaranteed?
Thanks for clarification,
Renate
Hi Rebate.
The state is clearly advising against travel to West Maui until then while others are contradicting that message. Whether or not that could be extended further, is anyone’s guess. As soon as we learn more, we will be reporting it.
Aloha.
Friends on west side say this is BS. They need tourism to survive. No one snorkels Lahaina but government officials. Kaanapali to Kapalua is open and the beaches are empty. Keep Maui Strong.
I grew up on Oahu and haven’t been back since 89. From what I read and see Hawaii isn’t the same place it used to be. As for tourism I can fly there for free but I still haven’t baan back because the hotel prices are ridiculously priced now and the attitude towards visitors isn’t what it was years ago. Now they are seen as walking piggy banks and it’s only the few elites that can afford to go to Hawaii these days.
I enjoyed going to the other islands on the DC3s back then and there were few hotels then too. But the greed took over and they built many massive resorts that the average joe can’t afford. Even a hostel costs more than a nice hotel on the mainland. Not to mention all the fees and time restrictions on parking and beaches for non locals. Which is backwards since tourists have a short time to go so stuff where as locals can go any time.
There is a part of me that would like to go back but most of what I would want to see and do is long closed and gone. I’d like to go see the Missouri again as the last time I did it was in service and on its tour cruise going through Pearl.
But I don’t know if I will ever go back. Otls probably best I stick with my memories of how it was and how much I enjoyed being a kid there. I wouldn’t want to go back and be disappointed and ruin those memories.
And yes Lahaina was an awesome place in the 80s and I remember the banyan tree very well from several visits there.
Robert,
We go to Waikiki nearly every year and have for decades.
Here’s my observation – you’ll have a great time. Most hostility to visitors is coming from the Gov and not those engaged in the hospitality trade or most of the folks you’ll meet on the beach or the street.
I think in the dozens of vacations to Hawaii I can vaguely recall a single incident at Pali Lookout. At least 20 years ago. That’s it. I get more attitude from my wife.
We had a trip to Maui booked for early October, but canceled on the advise of so many Hawaiian’s and government officials on social media telling us it would be disrespectful to come to the island at this time.
Now we’re getting a 180 from Maui government officials, Hawaiian Airlines and island businesses stating wait don’t cancel re-book your trip most of the island is open.
Come to Maui with a caveat of have a good time, but not too good a time, bring lots of money to save us, only shop at local owned business, voluntary while you are here.
And still there’s a small but very vocal group of Hawaiians on social media saying do not come we need to heal. Don’t try to buy Lahaina property from burned out victims.
The problem is it takes money to heal and if tourist continue to not come to Maui those owning properties Lahaina will not find work and be forced to sell.
If you’re part of the tourist come back to Maui group your message has been drowned out by the don’t come group, plus resorts that are still taking reservations are charging as much or more today the pre-fire. Might want to get them on board with your book a last minute trip to Maui to save us message.
That’s sad it takes a tradgity for you folks to make it affordable to travel when will you guys stop being so greedy
Unfortunately, nearly all the nicer Wailea hotels cost more than $1,000.00 per night. Not a cheap date…
We had 7 nights at Maui Kanaanapli Villas with a car 10/7-10/24, booked through Costco for $3,800.00 all-in. Going to the Big Island.
Can’t wait to get back to Maui.
Sending love, prayers and $$.
Aloha,
I agree about hotel prices. We were able to use timeshare points at Maui Bay Villas but I did see a few less expensive options on Booking.com.
In an email from Alaska Airlines, they mentioned two hotel deals.
Additionally, the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea is providing a 20% discount for your visit and the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is offering your 5th night free.
Maui Strong!
windsurfing, kiteboarding, and wingfoiling are all great at Kanaha beach park and Kihei beaches with or without instruction or rental equipment from the water sport shops in Kahului or Kihei. You may also want to surf or standup paddle.
“If visitors don’t return, businesses large and small will be forced to implement layoffs necessary to address the sharp decline in tourism.”
Let’s hope the governor doesn’t only want the rich to return to help the people recover.
We have reservations for the Sheraton in March 2024. Should we change our reservation to a different hotel or do you think parts of West Maui will be open by then. The Sheraton is taking reservations.
I’m not too sure what to do!
It will be interesting to see if HAL’s website and customer support
can handle this. My experience with HAL’s handling of our trip to Kauai
in October has so far been incredibly bad!
Hello Everyone,
It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted anything, but after reading the plea to visit Maui I felt compelled. First and foremost, I love Maui and its people and I am so sorry for all that has happened. It is very hard to find words to express sympathy in times such as this. If I weren’t recovering from a broken leg then I would jump on a plane tomorrow.
Having said that, I hope Josh Green and whomever is in charge of tourism gets this message. 1) It was way too early to start assessing blame on the wildfires let alone start saying it was the fault of climate change. 2) Before making statements such as, “Don’t travel to Maui at least through October…” wouldn’t it have been a much better idea to have gotten some feedback from people on Maui first and then make a statement? It seems to me a little follow-up, and some research would have served the people of Maui much better and caused way less confusion. It was as if a statement was made without ever having gone to see Maui or talked to the leaders in that area. It reminded me of 2020 when sand was bad, but grass was good and many other off the wall edicts that were passed along.
3) Tourists don’t feel welcome. I hate to point out the obvious, but Maui has been the most vocal island about not wanting tourists and in some cases mean and rude about it. I wondered how long it was going to take before Maui decided they needed us again. Sadly, this had to happen….
Aloha BOH,
Returning to Maui mid September and plan on patronizing local businesses, restaurants, gift shops, many being those we also buy from on line. We just visited prior to the fire and love doing our shopping Upcountry and local food markets. This visit we will be purchasing gift cards and giving cash to Maui Food Bank, every little bit helps. We support Maui Strong and the efforts of volunteers.
Mahalo nui loa
Since Hawaiian Airlines has no change fees can a ticket be purchased for a discount fare like the current $82 fare to Los Angeles to Maui then change it and booked for a later date that doesn’t have this promotionalfare? Say in May of 2024?
Last month HAL rescheduled our flights to Kauai in October.
Our seating assignments got trashed.
What you need to know is that even tho HAL honored their
“no change fee” policy we ended up having to pay an additional
$457 because fares had supposedly increased since since
we made our original reservations in early May.
We had to pay up or else!
Please do not lump the other areas of West Maui in with Lahaina. Honokowai, Kahana, Napili, and Kapalua were also unaffected by the fires. Many in those areas are individual owners of condos and they are suffering significant losses by the messaging from the governor (that is repeated here). We are ready to receive visitors by October. If you have reservations for October in those areas north of Lahaina, check with your booking agent and please cancel only if you are specifically told that your place is unavailable. They need your business too!
First of all, our hearts and prayers go out to all the people of Lahaina, as well as all of Maui. We have a trip planned to the Kaanapali area for 2 weeks beginning October 20. As of now, we are still planning on making coming.
And thanks to Beat of Hawaii for the fair and honest information you are providing.
I always strive to be a respectful visitor wherever I travel.
For my upcoming trip to Maui (thanks to the promos and articles like this one), I feel the need to show my respect to those who perished and to the survivors.
Are there alters or locations where leis or flowers can be placed? I know my dollars will be appreciated but I’m hoping for something perhaps a little more meaningful.
Mahalo
They really need to get this message out a lot better. Here in BC Canada, all I hear is “stay out of Maui”.
First off, I’m all for supporting Maui and the residents and doing whatever can be done to help them get back on their feet.
But not to be the big cynic here but wasn’t “Hawaii” telling tourists that basically they are not welcome just a few weeks / months ago? and wouldn’t it be great to go back to the good ‘ol days before “Hawaii” was over run?
I was considering making the trip to Maui to help the situation, and it’s great that the airlines are helping but all of the hotels I looked at were still sky high, so I won’t be coming. If the hotels start having better prices I will be there.
Aloha, consider a condo. Especially Honokowai, Kahana and Napili. Many are quite reasonable.
Mahalo to BOH for the article.