197 thoughts on “Maui Travel Isn’t Recovering; Now What?”
P
Exactly right. The hotel rates for Wailea remain ridiculously high. Until Hilton, Hyatt and others start to recognize the reality of the situation many will choose other islands or other destinations. The room rates are way out of line.
Unfortunately, the Hilton and Hyatt groups don’t care where they make money, so even if they loose some in Hawaii, they make it up elsewhere (with cheaper labor etc.)
Federal, State & Local Government has completely failed the Maui people before, during and now after this disaster. We were there when this happened and in Lahaina the night before and I saw the fire risk was so evident. Dry hills above Lahaina, rickety telephone poles, poor roads as well as a 30 acre fire Next to the airpost the day we landed on August 4th. If a tourist can see the evident risks then why didn’t the goverment take remedial actions over the years…a rhetorical question since we all know of why goverment fails. The locals we interacted with in Kapalua, where we were staying, said they expected some fire calamity and have been yelling about the risks for years. These officials should pay a heavy price.
I understand people love Hawaii. I used to. Its time though to broaden your horizons and visit equally as beautiful places at fraction of the cost. Bali, Phuket, and Palawan to name a few. Many people in Hawaii resent tourists. They want to overcharge us. They want us to stay in tourist areas. They want to make us do community service. They openly expressed their joy when covid hit and we couldn’t go to the islands. They said how wonderful Hawaii was without all the tourists. Now the governor wants to levy a $50 tourist fee. As if there aren’t already tons of other tourist fees and up charge. Its time to go elsewhere.
I just checked airfare from LAX to OGG in October. I found Hawaiian airlines for $375 plus check in bag fees. An amazing price. I also found mid level hotels in the mid $200s which isn’t bad. If you can swing going to Maui in October, it seems like a great time to go. People of Maui can use our tourism dollars. Of course be respectful to the people devastated by the fires.
I live in South Maui, and it’s been a very long time since I’ve seen anyone come close to disrespecting Maui, especially now. It’s not necessary to constantly remind visitors to do so. Those who don’t live here have not only been very respectful and compassionate, but they have volunteered their time and money to helping out in the aftermath of the fires. So it seems to me that it’s time for us to be appreciative and respectful of them.
We arrived to Maui on Sept. 15 at our timeshare in Ka’anapali.
Hearing all the news about the people of Hawaii—those wanting tourists and those who think West Maui need to stay closed makes you wonder how the reception upon arrival would be. Oh My!!!
Everyone was so happy to see us and the few others that were checking in……..…All the employees were excited to back to work. Yes, some of them had lost family members and homes in the fire. Others had not. They said the need to move forward. Each of them thanked us for coming and said we’re part of the recovery…..
So please come.
More places are opening up every day.
“Rod W, it is unfortunate that the “powers that be” for Hawaii and Maui did not take a page from California’s book. ”
I cant find your actual post here. I haven’t been to Maui in quite a while – too slow for my taste. However, after the fire, I did make a contribution to the Salvation Army of Maui.
I’m with my family on Oahu (Waikiki) now. We come virtually every year. My first visit was a very short one in 1965. Since the late 1970’s we are here almost every year and sometimes 2 or 3 x in a year. It seems like all govts are especially good at finding ways to collect taxes. Where it goes after that is anyone’s guess. Even in CA, especially in CA.
Please go back to Maui,as of October 8,it is open to go,they all need your business in ordenador to survive,I have alot of friends that work at Royal Kahana Outrigger and they have been put on temp.layoff due to no visitors,please go back,they all need work
When we go to Kauai twice a year almost all of our money is spent on
lodging at our favorite condo, car rental, airfare
and grocery store food. We do always rent thru a local firm,
not VRBO or Airbnb, a local car rental company and fly Hawaiian.
We go there to rest and relax not to do typical tourist stuff.
Within a few days of the tragedy I sent a check to the Salvation Army. I will let them (and others) sort out who needs what.
Ditto for who’s responsible for not having done enough to prevent the devastation in the first place. With an honest appraisal, fair minded people may come to the conclusion that Mother Nature will have her way. If not this year, then later. If not Lahaina, then Los Angeles. Time to repair the damage!
Rod W, it is unfortunate that the “powers that be” for Hawaii and Maui did not take a page from California’s book. In San Diego, San Diego Gas & Electric run ad about shutting off the power in a storm or high heat to avoid wild fires. They run ads about defensible spaces around your home for the same reason. The State of California runs ads educating people about Earthquakes. We have lived thru devastating Wildfires and Earthquakes and don’t want to live thru them again. We take heed. The who nonsense of not paying attention to the reports in 2019 is just beyond sad, especially with such dire consequences. My heart aches and I weep for Lahaina and Maui, a very special place to me and my family since 1995.
The ignorance and misinformation on display in the comments to this story is breathtaking. Commenters blaming the people of Hawaii for the expensive prices? You must be aware that the Hiltons, Sheraton, Four Seasons, Westins, Fairmonts et al and most of the condos and resorts are not owned by the Hawaiian people, or even local businesses. You must be aware that the airlines are not managed by the Hawaiian People or the State govt. And please do a little bit of original research rather than relying on social media influencers to tell you whether the average Hawaiian hates tourists or not.
Seriously, it’s embarrassing. How unsophisticated people are, and how willing they are to point fingers.
Your closing statement nails it Eldo, the finger pointers and conspiracy folks are stunning. Lahaina suffers a devastating tragedy and many many people from all walks of life help out in many ways. Next thing you know Oprah and the Rock are being criticized when their only crime is donating tens of millions of dollars from the heart. The Red Cross did and does amazing work under very difficult circumstances, they got attacked on social media, the list goes on. Always helps to remember there are a lot more good people just doing what they can. They aren’t screaming about it on social media
I own a week at the Westin Kaanapali timeshare, and also a a week at a very similar Westin Lagunamar timeshare in Mexico. Hawaii charges me $30 per night tax to use my property vs $10 in Mexico. Hawaii charges me $500 for one weekly cleaning vs $40 in Mexico. Hawaii charges me $3,000 per week in maintenance fees vs $1,700 in Mexico. Those are local Maui expenses, not some Westin corporate greed.
Yury, as you know, Hawaii is a state in the US where everything including labor, food and housing is more expensive. So yes, cleaning and maintenance fees in Hawaii would be more than in Mexico. That said, I wish Hawaii would never have allowed timeshares. People who own timeshares generally don’t care much about local culture nor do they spend much money in local stores and restaurants.
eva, i find it ironic that you know that timeshare people dont understand the culture or spend in local stores. those are usually repeat visitors who habe done the tourust stuff years ago and now understand the culture and spend locally. maybe its your attitude
Yes, I wondered about this also, since the exact opposite of what Eva is saying is the actual truth.
0
Eva B
Don, I live near the Westin Villas, so I frequently meet people who own a timeshare there and although there are exceptions, most spent their time driving from and to Costco where they buy food to prepare in the apartments they own for a week or 2. They also get points to eat at the resort, so what “local” things do they do if most of the money they spent is at the Westin and Costco?
Keith G
I also own a timeshare but not at a high end resort. I stay wherever I can get in usually at places like kahana Falls or Maui Hill. I shop locally at Safeway or foodland, eat at restaurants several times during our stay and tip generously. My timeshare simply allows me to be able to return annually and contribute to the local economy
1
E-Lectric
There are so many pleas to help the people of Maui by visiting/vacationing. If you look at the amounts spent by tourists isn’t the largest percentage lodging? Does that revenue directly benefit Maui peeps? Maybe only indirectly as the off-island resort owners employ some locals.
Maybe there are other ideas to directly funnel dollars into the hands of Maui peeps beyond donations?
You’re missing the big picture here. I’m supposed to come to Maui, frolic in the waves and do the other tourist things knowing hundreds of children burned to death, families devastated forever and just pretend, what? That it never happened?
And no one, no one is being held to account for the incompetence and inexcusable conduct of local officials that allowed this tragedy to occur.
And tourists are supposed to just return like nothing ever happened?
It will be years before the majority of people who have any moral compass make their way back to Maui. That’s a small tragedy compared to what happened as a result of the firestorm.
There’s a bigger picture Mike, The future. The people of Maui need to recover and rebuild. Working is not only needed to feed their families, it’s an important component to the emotional healing needed. Connecting with others in times like this is healing. At least in a positive way it is…..the angry, conspiracy theory finger pointers are very damaging but the many good caring people that make up the majority of tourists are crucial to Maui’s recovery.
Lahaina will be rebuilt but it needs help.
Mike, would you not go to Orlando because there was a Hurricane in Ft. Myers? Would you not go to San Francisco because there was a fire in Paradise? Would you feel guilty about having a good time and “frolicking in the waves” in those cases? These are the comparisons you should be making.
Yes, there are people from a town in the far north of Maui who are struggling right now. I am helping them right now in my volunteer work with the Red Cross. But you will make them struggle even more by not coming to other distant towns to “frolic in the waves” in efforts to support the entire island of Maui. I appreciate your respect and compassion, but don’t do more harm than good.
Noting the lack of visitation for Maui, I wonder what the State or Island Tourism organization is doing to get the word out? What is their crisis plan? I would highly suggest they start marketing Maui on social media with a “sunny skies” approach. As well as work with tour organizations to formulate and promote packages for Maui visitation.
It’s wonderful that airlines of cut their prices to very reasonable levels. However, we looked at going in October to spend some time doing volunteer work as well as trying to help the local economy. However, when you look at hotel rates, even on the west side, which is “closed“ rates of not only remain high, but look as if they’ve gone even higher. With rooms at the Hyatt or the Westin coming in at between five and $700 a night if someone goes there what money do they have left to support the local economy by buying things or eating out? Corporate greed is not the fault of the locals, or of the state of Hawaii , but I can’t believe those hotels are even 30% full at this point. Bringing prices down would entice people to come
We own a rental condo in north Kaanapali and have significantly reduced our nightly rates, to help bring tourists back and support Maui’s economy. Some comments below say folks see “exorbitant” rates for Maui lodging. Not sure how/where they’re looking, but we advise they look for rental condos offered by individual owners. Most owners (but not all) are trying to help bring back tourists. My quick check for rental cars recently had lower prices than usual. Some there have lost so much, they don’t want to lose their jobs too.
NEW prospective visitors don’t want to be insensitive and frolic in front of grieving hotel, retail and restaurant workers forced to work to support their families. At the same time spending for a major trip surrounded by sadness isn’t appealing.
Nobody who thinks about the reality wants to drive the family back and forth to Kapalua and points north through the burned bypass area with the memorials and ending in the burn zone “to have fun.” Nobody has fun at Pearl Harbor. Many avoid cemeteries on vacation. Sorry. That’s how it is.
People will send money but not themselves. It’s not enough but it’s going to take years to overcome the perceived downer essence of all Maui.
Devoted Maui visitors are coming to “support” Maui. Good.
Anyone who wants to encourage guilt and who tries to convince visitors that they will have a terrible time watching people grieve is part of the problem. You are doing 80% of your fellow residents a disservice and causing them to lose their livelihoods. It’s not the way you describe at all. No one is frolicking in front of grieving displaced people.
Other than my work with the Red Cross, life has been quite normal, and in the hundreds of posts of recent visitors, not one has had anything but a wonderful time, or was made to feel guilty about their visit. In fact, they have been appreciated and welcomed with open arms.
So please stop giving folks a distorted and inaccurate sense of reality. You are hurting, not helping.
We had a vacation planned for now which we have rescheduled to January At this point our Airbnb host reduced our nightly cost so we would reschedule & some of the tours gave a discount with the option to donate to relief funds They are trying but the message was loud and clear right at the time of the fires and the couple of weeks following The airlines are cutting flights when they should be cutting the cost of the flights as well We have not booked our flights yet in the hopes that the costs will come down in the next couple of months If you can’t get there without breaking the bank it won’t matter what the businesses and hotels are doing to entice visitors to come back
Since the pandemic, lodging and car rental prices have more than doubled on Maui, and not just the West Side. Kahului hotel that cost under $200 in 2019 was priced at over $400 last year.
Prices should be Way lowered, “Maui/Hawaii On Sale” would most likely attract tourists back and perhaps allow some of us residents to actually vacation inter-island instead of taking our $$ to cheaper places on the mainland.
Just returned from Maui on 9/14/23. OGG Airport was eerily empty. We initially had a booking at the Tiki Beach Hostel on Front St, Lahaina, which no longer exists. We did speak to the owner, who made it out without injury, along with her guests. We ended up on the east side of Maui at the Maui Seaside Hotel. This location was shared with the Red Cross and other rescue volunteers. I remember when a Hawaiian Electric truck pulled up and prompted a not so warm reaction from guests, some of whom were survivors.
The bulk of our stay was on Lanai. We had initially had a booking for the the Expeditions ferry, but cancelled, because we were told by localers that the residents and rescue workers needed the ferry more than us. So we opted to fly.
The 5 day Stay in Lanai could not have been better. Ebike trails and Zip Lining, Quaint shops and restaurants mostly on 8th St in Lanai City, Cat sanctuary and Hulopoe Beach with clean and warm water were great. Local business was reported as off by 50% with the lack of tourist coming in from Lahaina by Ferry. That boat does still run, albeit from a new dock further west in Maui, and can accommodate tourists with no problem at this time. Service has been cut down to one run to Lanai in the morning, and one return in the evening.
Conclusion: By all means go and enjoy, just be respectful of those who have lost, as you will be face to face. You are welcomed. I don’t have to mention not to attempt to go to Lahaina.
Hi Eileen,
No, Larry did not get us. We managed to find a vacation rental property, 2 bdrm house with washer/dryer and dishwasher off Lanai Ave for an insanely low price below 200. My wife used an outdated Fromers to find this deal long before the tragedy. We were happy to support the small shops in Lanai City, and the localers were very gracious. Not only the shopkeepers, but every person we met. We were grateful for being able to swing a great trip, but our hearts were heavy for those who were affected. I think the largest impression left on me was when I boarded the plane from HNL to OGG. There was a woman sitting by herself with a tear in her eye. No words needed to be spoken, yet she told the whole story. Clearly she had lost a lot
BOH nails what the leaders of the islands fail to grasp: With the prevailing New York Times post-fire image being the sign that says “Tourist Keep Out”, and Hawaii TikTok and social media influencers urging visitors to stay away — no wonder people looking for a place to spend their hard earned travel dollars simply skip over Hawaii. It’s the path of least resistance. There are lots of alternatives. Lots. The airlines dangled $80 fares from the west coast and are still chopping flights. What will it take for Maui travel to return (especially when they lost their crown jewel)? A welcome sign.
Exactly right. The hotel rates for Wailea remain ridiculously high. Until Hilton, Hyatt and others start to recognize the reality of the situation many will choose other islands or other destinations. The room rates are way out of line.
Unfortunately, the Hilton and Hyatt groups don’t care where they make money, so even if they loose some in Hawaii, they make it up elsewhere (with cheaper labor etc.)
Federal, State & Local Government has completely failed the Maui people before, during and now after this disaster. We were there when this happened and in Lahaina the night before and I saw the fire risk was so evident. Dry hills above Lahaina, rickety telephone poles, poor roads as well as a 30 acre fire Next to the airpost the day we landed on August 4th. If a tourist can see the evident risks then why didn’t the goverment take remedial actions over the years…a rhetorical question since we all know of why goverment fails. The locals we interacted with in Kapalua, where we were staying, said they expected some fire calamity and have been yelling about the risks for years. These officials should pay a heavy price.
I understand people love Hawaii. I used to. Its time though to broaden your horizons and visit equally as beautiful places at fraction of the cost. Bali, Phuket, and Palawan to name a few. Many people in Hawaii resent tourists. They want to overcharge us. They want us to stay in tourist areas. They want to make us do community service. They openly expressed their joy when covid hit and we couldn’t go to the islands. They said how wonderful Hawaii was without all the tourists. Now the governor wants to levy a $50 tourist fee. As if there aren’t already tons of other tourist fees and up charge. Its time to go elsewhere.
I just checked airfare from LAX to OGG in October. I found Hawaiian airlines for $375 plus check in bag fees. An amazing price. I also found mid level hotels in the mid $200s which isn’t bad. If you can swing going to Maui in October, it seems like a great time to go. People of Maui can use our tourism dollars. Of course be respectful to the people devastated by the fires.
I live in South Maui, and it’s been a very long time since I’ve seen anyone come close to disrespecting Maui, especially now. It’s not necessary to constantly remind visitors to do so. Those who don’t live here have not only been very respectful and compassionate, but they have volunteered their time and money to helping out in the aftermath of the fires. So it seems to me that it’s time for us to be appreciative and respectful of them.
Aloha,
We arrived to Maui on Sept. 15 at our timeshare in Ka’anapali.
Hearing all the news about the people of Hawaii—those wanting tourists and those who think West Maui need to stay closed makes you wonder how the reception upon arrival would be. Oh My!!!
Everyone was so happy to see us and the few others that were checking in……..…All the employees were excited to back to work. Yes, some of them had lost family members and homes in the fire. Others had not. They said the need to move forward. Each of them thanked us for coming and said we’re part of the recovery…..
So please come.
More places are opening up every day.
That’s the reality of the situation Kathy, nicely stated.
Gloria,
“Rod W, it is unfortunate that the “powers that be” for Hawaii and Maui did not take a page from California’s book. ”
I cant find your actual post here. I haven’t been to Maui in quite a while – too slow for my taste. However, after the fire, I did make a contribution to the Salvation Army of Maui.
I’m with my family on Oahu (Waikiki) now. We come virtually every year. My first visit was a very short one in 1965. Since the late 1970’s we are here almost every year and sometimes 2 or 3 x in a year. It seems like all govts are especially good at finding ways to collect taxes. Where it goes after that is anyone’s guess. Even in CA, especially in CA.
Aloha
Please go back to Maui,as of October 8,it is open to go,they all need your business in ordenador to survive,I have alot of friends that work at Royal Kahana Outrigger and they have been put on temp.layoff due to no visitors,please go back,they all need work
When we go to Kauai twice a year almost all of our money is spent on
lodging at our favorite condo, car rental, airfare
and grocery store food. We do always rent thru a local firm,
not VRBO or Airbnb, a local car rental company and fly Hawaiian.
We go there to rest and relax not to do typical tourist stuff.
Mike,
Within a few days of the tragedy I sent a check to the Salvation Army. I will let them (and others) sort out who needs what.
Ditto for who’s responsible for not having done enough to prevent the devastation in the first place. With an honest appraisal, fair minded people may come to the conclusion that Mother Nature will have her way. If not this year, then later. If not Lahaina, then Los Angeles. Time to repair the damage!
Rod W, it is unfortunate that the “powers that be” for Hawaii and Maui did not take a page from California’s book. In San Diego, San Diego Gas & Electric run ad about shutting off the power in a storm or high heat to avoid wild fires. They run ads about defensible spaces around your home for the same reason. The State of California runs ads educating people about Earthquakes. We have lived thru devastating Wildfires and Earthquakes and don’t want to live thru them again. We take heed. The who nonsense of not paying attention to the reports in 2019 is just beyond sad, especially with such dire consequences. My heart aches and I weep for Lahaina and Maui, a very special place to me and my family since 1995.
The ignorance and misinformation on display in the comments to this story is breathtaking. Commenters blaming the people of Hawaii for the expensive prices? You must be aware that the Hiltons, Sheraton, Four Seasons, Westins, Fairmonts et al and most of the condos and resorts are not owned by the Hawaiian people, or even local businesses. You must be aware that the airlines are not managed by the Hawaiian People or the State govt. And please do a little bit of original research rather than relying on social media influencers to tell you whether the average Hawaiian hates tourists or not.
Seriously, it’s embarrassing. How unsophisticated people are, and how willing they are to point fingers.
Your closing statement nails it Eldo, the finger pointers and conspiracy folks are stunning. Lahaina suffers a devastating tragedy and many many people from all walks of life help out in many ways. Next thing you know Oprah and the Rock are being criticized when their only crime is donating tens of millions of dollars from the heart. The Red Cross did and does amazing work under very difficult circumstances, they got attacked on social media, the list goes on. Always helps to remember there are a lot more good people just doing what they can. They aren’t screaming about it on social media
I own a week at the Westin Kaanapali timeshare, and also a a week at a very similar Westin Lagunamar timeshare in Mexico. Hawaii charges me $30 per night tax to use my property vs $10 in Mexico. Hawaii charges me $500 for one weekly cleaning vs $40 in Mexico. Hawaii charges me $3,000 per week in maintenance fees vs $1,700 in Mexico. Those are local Maui expenses, not some Westin corporate greed.
Yury, as you know, Hawaii is a state in the US where everything including labor, food and housing is more expensive. So yes, cleaning and maintenance fees in Hawaii would be more than in Mexico. That said, I wish Hawaii would never have allowed timeshares. People who own timeshares generally don’t care much about local culture nor do they spend much money in local stores and restaurants.
eva, i find it ironic that you know that timeshare people dont understand the culture or spend in local stores. those are usually repeat visitors who habe done the tourust stuff years ago and now understand the culture and spend locally. maybe its your attitude
Yes, I wondered about this also, since the exact opposite of what Eva is saying is the actual truth.
Don, I live near the Westin Villas, so I frequently meet people who own a timeshare there and although there are exceptions, most spent their time driving from and to Costco where they buy food to prepare in the apartments they own for a week or 2. They also get points to eat at the resort, so what “local” things do they do if most of the money they spent is at the Westin and Costco?
I also own a timeshare but not at a high end resort. I stay wherever I can get in usually at places like kahana Falls or Maui Hill. I shop locally at Safeway or foodland, eat at restaurants several times during our stay and tip generously. My timeshare simply allows me to be able to return annually and contribute to the local economy
There are so many pleas to help the people of Maui by visiting/vacationing. If you look at the amounts spent by tourists isn’t the largest percentage lodging? Does that revenue directly benefit Maui peeps? Maybe only indirectly as the off-island resort owners employ some locals.
Maybe there are other ideas to directly funnel dollars into the hands of Maui peeps beyond donations?
You’re missing the big picture here. I’m supposed to come to Maui, frolic in the waves and do the other tourist things knowing hundreds of children burned to death, families devastated forever and just pretend, what? That it never happened?
And no one, no one is being held to account for the incompetence and inexcusable conduct of local officials that allowed this tragedy to occur.
And tourists are supposed to just return like nothing ever happened?
It will be years before the majority of people who have any moral compass make their way back to Maui. That’s a small tragedy compared to what happened as a result of the firestorm.
There’s a bigger picture Mike, The future. The people of Maui need to recover and rebuild. Working is not only needed to feed their families, it’s an important component to the emotional healing needed. Connecting with others in times like this is healing. At least in a positive way it is…..the angry, conspiracy theory finger pointers are very damaging but the many good caring people that make up the majority of tourists are crucial to Maui’s recovery.
Lahaina will be rebuilt but it needs help.
Mike, would you not go to Orlando because there was a Hurricane in Ft. Myers? Would you not go to San Francisco because there was a fire in Paradise? Would you feel guilty about having a good time and “frolicking in the waves” in those cases? These are the comparisons you should be making.
Yes, there are people from a town in the far north of Maui who are struggling right now. I am helping them right now in my volunteer work with the Red Cross. But you will make them struggle even more by not coming to other distant towns to “frolic in the waves” in efforts to support the entire island of Maui. I appreciate your respect and compassion, but don’t do more harm than good.
Noting the lack of visitation for Maui, I wonder what the State or Island Tourism organization is doing to get the word out? What is their crisis plan? I would highly suggest they start marketing Maui on social media with a “sunny skies” approach. As well as work with tour organizations to formulate and promote packages for Maui visitation.
It’s wonderful that airlines of cut their prices to very reasonable levels. However, we looked at going in October to spend some time doing volunteer work as well as trying to help the local economy. However, when you look at hotel rates, even on the west side, which is “closed“ rates of not only remain high, but look as if they’ve gone even higher. With rooms at the Hyatt or the Westin coming in at between five and $700 a night if someone goes there what money do they have left to support the local economy by buying things or eating out? Corporate greed is not the fault of the locals, or of the state of Hawaii , but I can’t believe those hotels are even 30% full at this point. Bringing prices down would entice people to come
We own a rental condo in north Kaanapali and have significantly reduced our nightly rates, to help bring tourists back and support Maui’s economy. Some comments below say folks see “exorbitant” rates for Maui lodging. Not sure how/where they’re looking, but we advise they look for rental condos offered by individual owners. Most owners (but not all) are trying to help bring back tourists. My quick check for rental cars recently had lower prices than usual. Some there have lost so much, they don’t want to lose their jobs too.
Chris how do I find your rental condo – I am not able to nonexorbitant lodging 🙂
NEW prospective visitors don’t want to be insensitive and frolic in front of grieving hotel, retail and restaurant workers forced to work to support their families. At the same time spending for a major trip surrounded by sadness isn’t appealing.
Nobody who thinks about the reality wants to drive the family back and forth to Kapalua and points north through the burned bypass area with the memorials and ending in the burn zone “to have fun.” Nobody has fun at Pearl Harbor. Many avoid cemeteries on vacation. Sorry. That’s how it is.
People will send money but not themselves. It’s not enough but it’s going to take years to overcome the perceived downer essence of all Maui.
Devoted Maui visitors are coming to “support” Maui. Good.
Anyone who wants to encourage guilt and who tries to convince visitors that they will have a terrible time watching people grieve is part of the problem. You are doing 80% of your fellow residents a disservice and causing them to lose their livelihoods. It’s not the way you describe at all. No one is frolicking in front of grieving displaced people.
Other than my work with the Red Cross, life has been quite normal, and in the hundreds of posts of recent visitors, not one has had anything but a wonderful time, or was made to feel guilty about their visit. In fact, they have been appreciated and welcomed with open arms.
So please stop giving folks a distorted and inaccurate sense of reality. You are hurting, not helping.
We had a vacation planned for now which we have rescheduled to January At this point our Airbnb host reduced our nightly cost so we would reschedule & some of the tours gave a discount with the option to donate to relief funds They are trying but the message was loud and clear right at the time of the fires and the couple of weeks following The airlines are cutting flights when they should be cutting the cost of the flights as well We have not booked our flights yet in the hopes that the costs will come down in the next couple of months If you can’t get there without breaking the bank it won’t matter what the businesses and hotels are doing to entice visitors to come back
Since the pandemic, lodging and car rental prices have more than doubled on Maui, and not just the West Side. Kahului hotel that cost under $200 in 2019 was priced at over $400 last year.
Prices should be Way lowered, “Maui/Hawaii On Sale” would most likely attract tourists back and perhaps allow some of us residents to actually vacation inter-island instead of taking our $$ to cheaper places on the mainland.
Simple supply and demand, not rocket science.
Just returned from Maui on 9/14/23. OGG Airport was eerily empty. We initially had a booking at the Tiki Beach Hostel on Front St, Lahaina, which no longer exists. We did speak to the owner, who made it out without injury, along with her guests. We ended up on the east side of Maui at the Maui Seaside Hotel. This location was shared with the Red Cross and other rescue volunteers. I remember when a Hawaiian Electric truck pulled up and prompted a not so warm reaction from guests, some of whom were survivors.
The bulk of our stay was on Lanai. We had initially had a booking for the the Expeditions ferry, but cancelled, because we were told by localers that the residents and rescue workers needed the ferry more than us. So we opted to fly.
Part 2 (Robert B)
The 5 day Stay in Lanai could not have been better. Ebike trails and Zip Lining, Quaint shops and restaurants mostly on 8th St in Lanai City, Cat sanctuary and Hulopoe Beach with clean and warm water were great. Local business was reported as off by 50% with the lack of tourist coming in from Lahaina by Ferry. That boat does still run, albeit from a new dock further west in Maui, and can accommodate tourists with no problem at this time. Service has been cut down to one run to Lanai in the morning, and one return in the evening.
Conclusion: By all means go and enjoy, just be respectful of those who have lost, as you will be face to face. You are welcomed. I don’t have to mention not to attempt to go to Lahaina.
Thanks for supporting our tiny but lovely Lanai! Hope you found a more affordable place to stay than at Ellison’s exorbitantly priced resorts!
Hi Eileen,
No, Larry did not get us. We managed to find a vacation rental property, 2 bdrm house with washer/dryer and dishwasher off Lanai Ave for an insanely low price below 200. My wife used an outdated Fromers to find this deal long before the tragedy. We were happy to support the small shops in Lanai City, and the localers were very gracious. Not only the shopkeepers, but every person we met. We were grateful for being able to swing a great trip, but our hearts were heavy for those who were affected. I think the largest impression left on me was when I boarded the plane from HNL to OGG. There was a woman sitting by herself with a tear in her eye. No words needed to be spoken, yet she told the whole story. Clearly she had lost a lot
BOH nails what the leaders of the islands fail to grasp: With the prevailing New York Times post-fire image being the sign that says “Tourist Keep Out”, and Hawaii TikTok and social media influencers urging visitors to stay away — no wonder people looking for a place to spend their hard earned travel dollars simply skip over Hawaii. It’s the path of least resistance. There are lots of alternatives. Lots. The airlines dangled $80 fares from the west coast and are still chopping flights. What will it take for Maui travel to return (especially when they lost their crown jewel)? A welcome sign.