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.
What hotels/condos are recommended now in Maui for visitors?
We did ( 4 people ) have a reservation in Maui for the end of this month. Wanted to be sensitive. The resort stated utlily and safety concerns as a reason to cancel or postpone, which we did. Just a sad situation as tourism can bring much needed income but the scope of the tragedy is still, and will remain a highly sensitive concern for the local residents. Pray for healing, balance, and recovery of quality of life for residents. first, then for the visitors to return with respect, understanding, patience and humility, it’s an open wound needing love and care.
This topic is really true
With all the people from Maui asking tourist not to come there in social media creates a strong message to everyone that tourists are not welcome in Maui
In all of this chaos we understand the frustrations but please be clear about your message especially in social media sites
Hi Sofia, as devastating as this tragedy is, there’s more to Maui than just this one area. After October the Hotels that are putting up those displaced by the fire are supposed to be gone. The Hotels and Resorts will be looking for tourists, is what has been stated. I wouldn’t listen too much to online chatter by unknown people who may have their own agenda, call AAA or another travel agency. Most of Maui is open for business, they need tourists to survive. How many online have said to you, “come to another of the beautiful Hawaiian Islands until Maui is ready for tourists again?” I believe that the number is very low if any! Think about that.
Aloha! I live in Lahaina/Kaanapali and if things don’t change here and I mean quickly I do not see how Maui survives; locals say things are worse than Covid lockdowns…there are many suffering from the Lahaina fires (and they need long term housing asap; hotel lodging for those displace is a temp solution; housing has been an urgent need here forever) and now the suffering has spread across the island as Many rely on tourism for income/paychecks/livelihoods and are literally one paycheck away for disaster as many live paycheck to paycheck…especially in the hospitality industry, that is just the way it is ..Please come visit Maui! Ignore our inept Governor Green (where there heck did he come up with the October 17th date?!?) Visit areas that are fully open- Southside areas…We need tourists for better or worse and please pray that those in fear of losing their livelihoods will be okay…there is talk of a Covid-like government payout…We don’t need more government, We just need the government to Get the Heck out of our way so we can make decisions best for us and our Ohana !!!
I remember one time in Hana and a local screamed at me f u haoles. Really? Seems like tourists are not wanted by a large group. I was just minding my business. Why have all this mixed messaging? Either you want tourists or you don’t. I don’t feel welcome when someone is screaming at me to go home. I go to where I am treated best and some are just not wanting tourists so good bye for a long time.
Mike, When I lived there
We went to Makenna
Beach , had to park on the road when a couple on vacation were being threatened by two locals with a large beefed up F-150 with very large tires. They told the people they had to give up their spot because it was there’s. Now mind you they were getting there. Items out of the trunk to walk to the beach when the owner said I am not moving then the two locals threatened him and his wife and the wife said let’s leave and off they went. When I walked past these two guys I said that was wrong what you did. There comment Fu Holey go back to LA we don’t want
Any of you people here. I can see why so many people are turned off by
the minority of locals and mostly the younger
as the same with goes on on the mainland.
Michael, about 15 years ago, we had just arrived at OGG and were loading out luggage into the rental car. My father was about 75 at the time and he was standing where a local wanted to pull his car in. This mature man yelled “FU H … and my teen boys were shocked to hear a Hawaiian act like that. He then continued with why don’t you go back to the mainland we don’t need your money here!
Michael, I had no idea whatsoever that this type of sentiment had been going on for that long, by the sounds of it probably much longer. The Repulsive effects that it must have had on your Father and Family won’t be forgotten. It’s my fervent hope that your Dad gave the person a proper salute!
We were very confused once the Maui governor announced not to go to Maui. We did cancel our trip. But then we heard how many are saying they will be facing bankruptcy unless tourism starts again. So we have rebooked our trip in November 2023. We plan to help part time, tip high, support the people in Maui anyway we can. We love Maui❤️❤️❤️❤️ Mahalo
What a joke!
Tourism is the #1 driver for the economy and the income of Hawaii.
These “officials” can’t even get recovery right!
I hope the electric company that oversees most of the electricity in Hawaiian gets held accountable for this disaster!
I’m praying for you Hawaii!
Try credit card chargeback.
The confusing messaging and mixed signals coming out of Maui do not help. I reached out to the Wailea Marriott on Saturday, Sept 2nd, and was told that the resort is closed with no information on a reopening for guests. That’s Wailea, not the west side. What else isn’t open despite the messaging that South Maui is open for business? We aren’t scheduled to return until March 2024. It will be interesting to see what kind of recovery can occur in six months. Dialogue from locals on YouTube and Instagram doesn’t sound very welcoming to tourists. We usually travel to Hawaii three times a year for a total of 30 days. Twenty of those days are usually spent in Maui. Kauai, which we visit a third of the time we vacation in Hawaii may be getting the portion we usually designated for Maui with more travel planned for Oahu and the Big Island.
Sorry, but I must call this out. I just went to the Wailea Marriott web site and searched room availability – all sorts of rooms available not only tomorrow but all next week and beyond. To be sure I called their reservations line and the lady was confused: “We haven’t been closed at all – our numbers are down, but we’ve been open for business and have no plans to close down.”
Wayne, please stop spreading misinformation. It helps no one.
Aloha Rob+Jeff, I think you have stated the facts pretty clear as to the uncertainty of traveling to Maui. It’s just to confusing for travellers to take a chance to travel there right now till the end of the year. Looks like the situation over there is going to be pretty bad for the next few months. The reality is that the island needs to expect and prepare for a long recovery from the fire. I have given support financially to Maui Strong and pray for all the locals to be taken care of, no matter how long that takes. Aloha.
First, I have been devastated by the loss of life, property and history from the Lahaina fires. That being said my heart also hurts for the treatment of tourists that I witnessed from the mainland. The cattle call to get All tourists off the island whether they were in the affected area or not. Some had to sleep in the airport, some had to leave their luggage behind, some were not refunded reservation money. This is a memory that will probably be etched in many minds both those affected and those who watched from afar. Now you want them back? Isn’t this what you have wanted all along? Even Hana is begging? I love Maui. I donated for relief. The world has donated to relief. The visitors who locals hate have donated to relief. I understand the grieving; I don’t want anyone to hurt but you can’t have it both ways. Either you want tourists or you don’t. I am confident they will return and you can once again complain about them being there but I think both sides need to take a little time and regroup. The tourists will come back if you want them. Heck even if you don’t
We had a vacation planned for September which we rescheduled to January out of respect and on the recommendations of the Maui government The Airbnb was very accommodating in rescheduling and giving a special rate to come in January as they will be housing families in need thru October We have been planning this vacation for 10 years and hope to not have to cancel however as of now the airfare is exorbitantly expensive Hopefully the airlines will make it affordable and enticing for tourists to come to Maui in the upcoming months The situation is very sad and controversial but Maui is not just one town If the island is going to come back from this it is needing to be reliant on all factors of bringing people back – accommodations, tours, airlines, and a welcoming from locals
Cathy, You are “Spot On” with your comments. Hopefully the resilience of the people will make Maui the place to be again, and I mean the Entire Island. Yes, the old town cannot be replaced as it was. It can and should be rebuilt in similar fashion and entice visitors to come once again. It’s up to the people, the government cannot be trusted to deliver on any promises of money or help to accomplish this. It’s the Will of the People now!
I;ve mentioned many times on BOH that it has been five long years of working hard to save to return to the islands for probably my last trip. Not from health issues, but my age is up the ladder now. We were reserved for Sept., then lost the money due to the horrible fires.My heart & Soul has always been for the land and people, so going to S. Maui was not an option, financially or mentally. I mourned for these people. But, I lost from greed. Now I am working Again to try to return, but the rentals on South Maui are climbing as high as W. Maui, so my dreams keep becoming, well dreams.Its hard for me to believe that my favorite place on Earth is unreachable. Yes, many locals on social media, do not want us so that scares me in this day of anger!
So many different messages sent out to visitors and now we need them. I can understand the confusion. Get together and get the story straight once and for all to be on the same page.,
We always go somewhere on Maui in the fall but after we heard about all the stay-away messages we made plans to go to the Carribean this year. Too late to change back. Maybe fall 2024.
When I spend a lot of money on a vacation, I want to have a great time. I want to rent a convertible, I want to party, I want to go to a beach and have fun. How am I supposed to do that after the fire, when people are grieving and the whole island is in distress? It feels disrespectful to be doing any of those things. Regardless of whether people of Maui want me to come or not – I will not enjoy my vacation. I would rather go to Mexico or Caribbean.
Yury, I feel that if all have this attitude Maui is done for. They need the Tourist Dollars to help the people with their jobs. We don’t want hopelessness to set in. I’m from California. We have been dealing with horrific fires since forever. I know it is early days and grieving is what needs to be done – but they need us to come back.
Tell me why CA doesn’t do control burns and neither does Maui. If they did there would not be such devastating consequences.
Rob, in a strange way many of California’s Wildfires are controlled burns, it’s just that the person/people controlling the burns 🔥 are Arsonists. (Proven Fact)
Rob, in California the areas are quite vast and the “controlled” burn can, (and has), get quickly away from the firefighters. They do do some here. Additionally, many people in CA are responsible to keeping a defensible space area. Insurance Companies make it a condition of their insurance policy.
I commented earlier today, and I will be visiting West Maui at the end October. I plan to enjoy my stay and help where I can. I don’t feel like I’m acting out of disrespect, I actually want to help Maui recover. I understand not everyone feels the same, that’s why it’s good to have different opinions!
Much aloha and mahalo 🤙
From the Governor on down to Local Administrators the message was clear, “No Tourism!” and of course one of my favorites, “The Island is Closed for Business.” After that most people will dismiss the back and forth announcements. With the ever present “Vocal Minority” telling potential tourists not to come, and worse, why would they? Maui Businesses are, and will continue to be, Hurting due to the Mismanagement of Everyone in State and Local Governments. Including the “Tourism and Vacation Bureau that hasn’t any Clue how to perform their jobs. Parts of Maui are in shambles, people are still searching for those who have died in the intense fires that occurred. Compounding the Damage and Tragedy that has occurred are Disinterested Governmental Employees Causing Insult on top of Injury. They Should Resign!
Ernie,
You are spot-on.
Ernie, the worst thing is
they will vote these people or people like them back in!
Rob, I unfortunately Agree with You!
It’s ironic that Maui county was on the verge of implementing its first phase of paid parking throughout the historic district of Lahaina and south Maui county beaches to charge up to $30 for parking. They were concerned with tourists taking over all the parking spots and thought going from free parking to $30 was justified. However, It was one more step towards alienating what was left of tourists. Now I seriously doubt they can justify moving forward with this plan in South Maui as the priority has to be towards encouraging tourism to return and the beach parking lots are half empty.
David, it’s my experience with Politicians of every level and party, that there’s never been a Tax or Fee that they can implement that they don’t Love! What Better time to implement the parking Fee than before there’s a real need for it, if they don’t they might be missing some Revenue, Unacceptable!
I heard on the news that the unemployed locals were just flocking the beaches because there is nothing else for them to do. Sorry I don’t want sand kicked or thrown in my face because I am a tourist. How do you really think the state is going to cover all the unemployment claims. When your plane lands in Maui or any island you pay what anybody wants regardless of the price. If you don’t I guess you could be considered disrespectful or rude and as a result unwelcomed. Remember the phrase We have the right to change the price at our discrestion anytime.
Don, unfortunately some residents will take exception to Every Tourist. Those “Few” Vocal residents that want Tourism to totally stop forever continue to cause their trouble, until tourists begin Ignoring Them and Their Lame Messages they will feel emboldened to continue. With all of the “Other” Hawaiian Islands in the chain which extends notherly, Why don’t those with a problem with Tourism simply Claim one or two as their new home? Problem Solved.