In today’s press release, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen confirmed that all of West Maui, except for the burn area, will reopen on November 1. Until then, only a limited area of West Maui travel is open, which resumed on October 8. Read on for opportunities to return to Maui for free.
Maui’s major was joined by the other Hawaii mayors as they personally witnessed and were emotionally struck by Lahaina’s devastation. We used the word celebrate with caution considering this is following a devastating fire the likes of which we still find overwhelming and incomprehensible. It’s the word, Hawaiian Air used the term in announcing their free trip.
Maui jettisons remaining “phased approach” to re-open fully.
Late today, the announcement came that “The rest of West Maui north of Lahaina — Phases 2 and 3 from Kahana to Kā‘anapali — will begin reopening on Wednesday, November 1.
The mayor said the decision was made in concert with the Lahaina advisory team, the Red Cross and other partners, and community feedback.
All parties, including the governor, mayor, and the Red Cross “Governor Josh Green, M.D., Mayor Bissen, and the Red Cross “continue to assure the public that housing for displaced wildfire survivors will not be in jeopardy as a result of the reopening.”
State of Hawaii and Maui county share Malama Maui.
In coordination with various community members and partners, HTA is launching new videos featuring a diverse cross-section of Maui residents welcoming mindful visitation and sharing how visitors can mālama Maui.”
The announcement also offered that the state and county have created “informational flyers and signage with tips for respectful, compassionate, and responsible travel to support the community’s healing.”
Win free travel for a return to Hawaii vacation.
In honor of today’s announcement of the reopening of all of West Maui, there are three Hawaii sweepstakes that will send you and a loved one on a free trip to Maui or another island.
1. Hawaiian Airlines has a Hawaii sweepstakes for a chance to win a South Maui vacation.
Entrees to the contest must be received by October 27, 2023. The contest winner will receive the following:
200,000 HawaiianMiles,
2 VIP tickets to John Cruz’s “Island Style” concert residency at ProArts Playhouse.
4-night stay at Wailea Beach Resort, Marriott – Maui.
$250 one-time food and beverage credit for resort dining.
2 one-day passes for the Olakino wellness pool experience.
Contest rules: No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C., who are at least 18 years old and age of majority as of date of entry. Begins 9:00 a.m. HST on 10/23/23; ends 11:59 p.m. HST on 10/27/23. For Official Rules and eligibility, visit HawaiianAirlines.com/OfficialRules. Sponsor: Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.
2. Win a Hawaii sweepstakes that includes $50,000 cash.
That’s the PCH sweepstakes found here. Entrees must be completed by October 27, 2023.
3. Hawaiian Bros. Hawaii free trip to Hawaii sweepstakes.
Grand prize of a trip to Hawaii including transportation, airfare, lodging, and excursions, valued up to $3,500. Enter by November 8, 2023.
Changes since Maui’s reopening was announced.
Originally, Governor Josh Green announced West Maui travel would resume on October 8. But at the time, there were no details, and Maui itself determined that a different, phased approach was needed. While the governor’s plan seemed more focused on stopping the tourism loss of up to $13M daily from the Maui economy, the county was concerned about the 8,000 who became homeless resulting from the Lahaina fire, many of whom have been living in West Maui resorts.
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said previously, “Our priorities have focused on the well-being of our people, and that will continue to be critically important. Six weeks ago, we focused on searching for unaccounted loved ones and supporting the safety and health of survivors. As we take careful steps forward in an unprecedented disaster, addressing our West Maui visitor industry, their employees, and the local businesses that work in conjunction with the industry requires planning that will get us to a manageable re-opening. Our goal is to introduce a phased approach that will begin on October 8 and allows for housing needs to be clearly addressed.”
The first phase of reopening consisted of Ritz-Carlton, Maui Kapalua to Kahana Villa, which is the north-most part of the area. At the time, no date was given for further opening in phases two and three. But as of late today, we know that the date is November 1. Phases two and three consist of first, Mahinahina to Maui Kaanapali Villas, and second, the area of Royal Lahaina Resort to the Hyatt Regency Maui.
We would love to come and enjoy Maui, while eating out and buying local…but…the housing prices are out of sight. We want to be out enjoying everything, not spending time in a way overpriced room, leaving nothing to go out and enjoy Maui with.
We Love Maui & have been there multiple times, our favorite is Napoli beach area.
I thought I was prepared for coming to post-wildfire Lahaina and seeing it first hand. I was not. The privacy screens erected to block views mostly work, but it can’t block what you’ll see near the civic center. That’s your first introduction to what victims went (and are still going) through. It broke our hearts. I have lots of thoughts on visiting West Maui but it will take time to process. After 8 days in Kaanapali I can say the commingling of victims and tourists largely works, but it’s delicate. Unless you secrete yourself in a bubble, there is no avoiding seeing what people are experiencing. If you are booked for west maui, absolutely go. And be prepared to be moved to help in any way you can. The opportunities are there.
You might want to contact Hawaiian Airlines and let them know that the link you have in the article is not working, it gets messed up when you try and do the “I’m not a robot” I’ve tried it at least 10 times!!
Hi Teresa.
We just checked and it was working correctly.
Aloha.
Regarding the Hawaiian Airlines Sweepstakes I was disappointed to see that one of the requirements was that you needed to follow them on either Facebook or Instagram. Heaven forbid that someone should not have accounts with either of these social medias, and thus exempt them from being able to enter the sweepstakes.
Aloha Mary,
Yes, it seems like HA is more interested in collecting more people to market to than the spirit of the contest.
I am unable to enter as I have neither.
(To be eligible to win, you must follow Hawaiian Airlines on Facebook or @hawaiianairlines on Instagram. Please provide the social channel that you are following on and your user name)
Interesting information – as always, thank you for keeping us informed. We’re scheduled to arrive on Maui this Friday, 10/27, and be there for a week to celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary on 11/1. Since we hadn’t heard anything about phase 2 opening by last Wednesday, 10/18, we called our timeshare home office to find out what would happen to our time that needed to be used by the end of the year, if phase 2 didn’t open by 10/27. The home office assured me that we didn’t have to worry, that we would be able to come. When I questioned the gentleman further, he put me directly through to the resort who told me that they had opened the day before, on October 17th. It sounds like some of the resorts are “doing their own thing”.
Hi Donna.
Thanks, and congratulations! Yes, each property may decide on their exact plans. So checking directly is a great idea.
Aloha.