197 thoughts on “Maui Travel Isn’t Recovering; Now What?”
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.
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.