It’s a double-edged sword, where nothing visitors do seems right. And therein may lie the answer to why they aren’t returning and businesses are cutting back.
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169 thoughts on “Maui Layoffs Underway Following Tourism Crash”
It’s a double-edged sword, where nothing visitors do seems right. And therein may lie the answer to why they aren’t returning and businesses are cutting back.
We have been travelling to Maui for many years and staying in the Kihei area. This year we booked from Oct 27-Nov 10 splitting our vacation between Kihei and Kaanapali. Then the fire and so many confusing and contradicting news alerts, especially the closure of West Maui until October 17, which is where we were looking forward to staying.
Our question was: would this date be extended. After much deliberation we thought it best to cancel our vacation and consider going in the spring of 2024. The condo owner in Kihei refunded our deposit within a day. Sadly the condo owner (at The Whaler) wasn’t very understanding and kept our deposit but must say it was a non-refundable reservation… he even kept the cleaning fee. This doesn’t help the Maui cause. We have compassion for all who have suffered and continue to do so.
However, this has left a bit a sour taste with us. Will we return… probably but then again there are other “warm” destinations.
Thank you for allowing me to express my concern.
Mahalo,
Ian
Try credit card chargeback.
We have visited Maui countless times over the years and our last visit in 2019 we experienced a number of uncomfortable experiences. Unfortunately we do not believe that the people of maui genuinely want tourists despite being economically dependent on them
I don’t understand this burden of guilt and responsibility on tourists. There have been disasters at lot of places. Tragedy is not unique to this incident or just these people. The have the sympathy and empathy, but it’s just ridiculous to blame tourist. Worse, tourists are being held responsible for their failure to run a responsible government or policy making. Compared to mainland USA Hawaii culture might be different, but if you travel around the world a lot of coastal areas and societies in nature rich places have similar culture. There are successful countries built on tourism without destruction of native habitat. So clearly the failure is not due to tourists. We wanted to do a Hawaii trip, but the ridiculous tourist bashing made us put it off.
Many locals make it clear to stay away. It would only take one to ruin our vacation. The locals certainly aren’t ambitious, it will take many extra years compared to other areas to rebuild. I almost suspect a fire tax next for tourists. They blame us on everything. Roads, water sewage etc. last year I found out that the majority of the island is on septic fields. That is horrible, they are filling the ocean with sewage and blame the tourists again. I am done with their prices and lack of respect for the people paying for their lifestyle. It comes down to respect, the less they work the less self worth. They don’t want to work and expect it all given to them. For an island flush with tourism, they are a disgrace when it comes to the environment. Poor recycling and worse if all sewage. They should be world class, but someone is misleading the income. Never again for us and we spent out last 10 years there for three months each winter. Another article I read in their paper. They want high valued tourists/ the ones who stay in the resorts and don’t go anywhere!
Due to us traveling to Maui on an annual basis I follow events on the island closely. For years I’ve known about anti tourist voiced by locals living on Maui, but never have we had an issue always enjoyed our stays.
What changed was after the fire anyone following social media for updates, including our 3 grown children, found post after post by individuals living on Maui stating how much they hate tourist and how disrespectful it would be if we visited the island.
Almost immediately I got calls from all 3 of our children telling us we need to cancel our October trip to Maui. It isn’t safe and it would be disrespectful for us to travel at this time.
My point is for us who do regularly travel to the islands we know about the anti tourist voices know how to navigate the island so as to not disturb the local population, but now social media has given these anti tourist individuals a big voice and it’s going to hurt Maui’s economy in a bad way.
Ernie, your breathlessly hyperbolic and misleading statements help no one. I actually live and work on Maui and have been speaking to dozens of my fellow locals, both those directly and indirectly affected by the fires. None of them are shunning tourism. None. Not in Kihei, Not in Paia, not in Hana, not in Haiku, not in the Central Valley (Wailuku and Kahului), not in Wailea. The west coast is still a bad destination given the strain of the infrastructure (water, power, housing for relief and recovery workers, etc), but the rest of the island is more than welcoming of tourists. How many resident have you actually spoken to, Ernie? Maybe step away from your social media accounts a bit – they are very skewed. Mahalo!
Retired in 2010 and did 5 weeks each Jan-Feb since then. This past Feb. we simply got tired of the “we want tourists/ no we don’t” debate and said let’s go back to the Caribbean. We let our standing reservations run out and did not look back. Hawaii, you have some issues you have to work out. Too many sides working against each other.
Here’s some intel that might help readers of BOH with their decision making. From direct sources, many West Maui resorts and vacation condo’s are booking and accepting guests effective now. I am told you could go to west Maui tomorrow, if you really wanted to. The caveat is that services are, for the short term, still ramping up. You may find fewer stores/restaurants open in West Maui and/or longer lines for what you want or need. Condo associations are targeting October 1 as a date where they hope to have all amenities available to guests, be they fire refugees or paying customers. Call it a soft-opening before October 17. Every west Maui resort, business, restaurant, service will have their own time-table, but the pressure is mounting (for all the reasons listed in today’s BOH article) to start the new-normal and be up and running with what is available by that date. Visitors should be aware and mindful they may even be sharing resort amenities with fire refugees.
Personal note: I must be ignorant. I often read and hear of friction between locals and tourists on Maui. In our 40-years of travelling to Maui, I confess I have never encountered a person or individual who was hostile to me or my family or friends for being a tourist. In fact, we have come to know so many people that we are often greeted by our first names. I guess I don’t get around enough?
I have been visiting Maui since 70. and never experienced anything but love. It wasnt until I followed social media to learn the up to date travel news and found out how many locals were not happy with tourists. So much so, that it actually puts fear into me to visit again. Not sure what we will do now.
Sandi, your comments are proof positive that Social Media is a very poor lens through which to view the world. It amplifies reality to the point that it distorts it. You even admit that you personally were never aware of anti-tourist sentiment despite many trips to the islands, yet because of random unverified comments from anonymous stranger on social media you changed your mind. That’s unfortunate and misguided. Please re-evaluate from where you gather your data – social media should be one of your last resorts.
Hi Sandi, sorry to say that there are “some people” causing all of the grief. How many, no one knows for certain. It’s my belief that there’s a vocal minority online and the visible on every island. I have encountered a few, I simply asked if it was okay for us to be there, they each said that it was okay and we weren’t the type that they are against. That surprised me in some ways. Maybe it’s in the approach that can make the difference? I was just wondering what they would say. The signage here and there is terrible, it’s even on some vehicles. I have never been told to move my car or out of their spot on the beach. Maybe they have a type that are not wanted anymore, that I can and do believe. Be respectful and courteous, it can be helpful.
Great post. This is very much how I see things playing out. Many resorts stopped booking for early Oct., but aren’t refunding money to those who have booked in advanced (at least mine isn’t). You can see activities in West Maui are starting to take reservations starting Oct. 1st, and I believe some stores and restaurants will start to open in limited capacity in early October.
I think the idea of a soft opening is a smart decision. This should reduce staffing issues etc., and allow things/businesses to slowly start returning. I don’t want to offend or hurt anyone. I’ll lay low, tip well, and try to blend in as much as I can.
We were planning on going to Maui for our 30th anniversary next September (2024). We have always preferred Maui for our “special” times. My wife has been “shopping” for hotels.
However, the pricing of hotels is out of control. True, airfares from the mainland have dropped, but to spend ten to fourteen days in a hotel there is cost prohibitive. If they really want visitors to return, then it would seem that prices should drop.
Wouldn’t be better to have more visitors (at a lower rate) than fewer visitors at a much higher rate? More visitors mean fewer layoffs of affected industries. Fewer rental cars rented, fewer meals eaten, fewer rooms occupied means fewer employees needed.
Will never go there again…too scared of being caught in a fire
I just saw a VRBO owner at a Kaanapali resort that had drastically lowered their rate for Sept and October. Was being marketed on one of the Maui FB pages… maybe the hotels will start doing this but I doubt it. After COVID and before the fires, accommodation rates had gotten out of control in my opinion.
Please I need to know we have a trip booked for the end of January. At kaanapolia Beach hotel. That is the only place in Maui we what to stay. So please let us know if we should cancel our trip. We don’t want to offend anyone. Thank you for any updates you could let me know.
The Ka’anapali Beach Hotel is a lovely property, and everyone there is always so nice –it’s understandable that it’s the only place you want to stay. But right now, they are housing displaced fire survivors. Don’t know how long that commitment goes for? And perhaps they plan to welcome vacation guests as well. But please check with whoever you made your reservations through – they should be able to tell you.
I must admit I only went to Maui because I loved Lahaina and I still can’t believe all those beautiful old shops and buildings have gone I loved the church that was destroyed I loved everything about Lahaina my heart breaks for what your people have lost it’s just devastating
“Initially, the state asked all visitors to leave Maui and did not invite them to return.”
This was huge mistake by Green, he will regret it for quite a while.
Actually it was initially the LT. Governor. She should be held accountable come election time.
Curtis C., you are correct. Unfortunately this is the State of Hawaii where everyone typically forgets and forgives these gaffs. It’s the Hawaiian mentality for the most part, they’re all used to the Nepotism, Supposed Graft, Shoddy Work of all types, and paying Top Dollars for all of it. Welcome to Hawaii!
Would love to visit but the messaging is muddled, the hate is clear and the prices are through the roof! Cmon at least lower the prices, give us an incentive to visit regardless of the hate.
All by design. Everything is going to the billionaires now. The island will become a private destination for the uber rich. It was planned years ago.
First of all, thank you to Rob and Jeff for mentioning the most reliable source of hotel reservation forecasting:
The State Unemployment Registry!
I shared this with earlier this year. I learned it while working as a contract site communications engineer at a huge hotel in Chicago in the 90’s. It was there I used to have lunch with HR and the accounting folks and learned that marketing frequently gives inflated information about reservations and occupancy, but the truest data comes from the unemployment applications. Maui is indeed in trouble due to that misreporting. The hotels in unaffected areas desperately need guests.
Most people are not going to stay and spend there hard earned money in a place that clearly doesn’t want them
Excellent article that gets a lot right. But what needs to be emphasized far more: the local and native visitor hate. It is loud, it is in your face, the hate is palpable. Many, many writings, posts and videos telling haoles to stay away — and far worse. Blaming the fires on tourists and “occupation,” while saying no natives or locals bear any responsibility (if you look, you’ll see native organizations on Instagram and X saying *exactly* this). Or this “welcoming” message: “Visit, spend, leave.”
This encapsulates exactly what the world is hearing, loud and very clear: “we hate you, but we’ll tolerate you for a week if you drop money and pay skyhigh visitor taxes, but above all just get out.” The planet has heard you. World’s a big place with plenty to do and see. We respect Maui and the islands, treated all well on our visits, but we won’t be back.
Totally agree! We go to Maui at least once a year but will not now for awhile I’m sorry for the tragedy there but I don’t don’t want to go where I’m not wanted
I feel the same way. I’m done with Maui, and it sounds like islands in general. We rebooked to London and Barcelona and both cities were welcoming.
We usually spend a week each year at The Whaler or up in Kapalua at the Bay Villas. Prior to the fire our usual condo at The Whaler went up about $150.00 per night. The Bay Villa condo went up to $850.00per night, up about the same. We were there last December I noticed the lack of Aloha spirit. Especially at the front desk of The Whaler and the employees at Safeway in Lahaina. I found it odd as my better half is Filipina and our encounters with employees we had previously chatted with in years past and were more than nice. Something changed and not for the good. Looking forward, we have no desire to stay in Kihei and cannot afford Wailea. We may just give Maui a rest for 2-3 years.
Loud fringe people exist everywhere on social media. I think it’s important to understand that does not represent the whole. As you stated, you were treated kindly and with respect. That is the marker to go by. I find it so interesting when visitors take the time to read about Hawaii and post that they won’t be returning to the islands for this or that reason. It’s always a choice. Just curious why posting your own personal disinterest to discourage others from coming and enjoying the islands is a good thing, especially when you said you were treated well. Certainly don’t come if you don’t want to. I just don’t see the need to tell the world and harm the people of these islands. You are the other side of the coin. We care and welcome our visitors. I see it every day and everywhere.
Excellent post, Frieda
Social media gives you a distorted view of the world,
which is why I ignore it.
This has been my experience on Maui. Been going since the 80’s and have never been harassed in any fashion. Of course I know it’s out there, but I think Social Media gives a few people a larger voice than they deserve.
Also agree. Since COVID the message has been very strong that Maui doesn’t want visitors but wants the money. The message doesn’t seem as strong on the other islands, but its still loud enough to know when your not wanted. If Hawaii manages the Maui rebuilding effort like they managed COVID, its never going to be rebuilt.
Just returned from Maui flying back and forth on Southwest. They have cut flights on their upcoming schedule due to the lack of tourists. I found people working at the airport to be gracious and friendly to those arriving and departing. We stayed in Wailea on the beach. There was an abundance of open rooms in the hotels. Sadly, walking around was like being there during Covid. We came into contact with many business owners and hotel staff, all were friendly and welcoming. Your local government has really made a mess of things, hopefully locals remember that at voting time. On the fence about visiting? Go. Be respectful. The people who need jobs will thank you. They certainly thanked us for visiting.
My husband and I spent 12 nights in a condo in Kihei last month (we came home a week before the fire). From all that I had been reading beforehand, I was a bit leery about going to Maui; I was concerned locals would be unkind to us. But that was not the case at all. I’d like to add that while we ate breakfast and lunch in our condo (having purchased food at both Foodland and Target), we ate dinner out every single night. We also did 4 excursions, as well as bought a few souvenirs. We’ve been to Maui many times, so we don’t usually spend too much on souvenirs, but spend $$ on nice dinners? Most certainly. Anyway, everyone we encountered was friendly and welcoming. I hope people will go back to the unaffected areas; I’d so hate to see Maui in financial ruin from this because of bad governmental messaging/decisions.
I have enjoyed my many visits to Hawaii. But it’s time for the locals and leaders in the community including the Government to indeed understand that their livelihood and economy are dependent on the “Howlie”. This is whether you were a native or a transplant living with a full or part time home.
You need to eliminate the word “Howlie” this hate word in your speech an actions. Otherwise you and Hawaii could die in the middle of the ocean.
No it want die but the ultra rich will come in and bring Hawaii back to the plantation days.
Seems visitors aren’t welcome at this time. So those who have already purchased tickets for the beginning of October should just bite the bullet and not go? A no win situation as tickets aren’t cheap and the airlines certainly aren’t going to help with refunds and not everyone can just reschedule vacations that have been planned for months.
Is it too much to ask for a clear statement from Maui as to how to proceed?
Please visit The Valley Island. The hospitality workers need you. However, West Maui is not advisable.