75 thoughts on “Maui Vacations In Peril; Fodor’s Says Don’t Visit Now”
Kathy T
My husband and I booked a 20 year anniversary vacation to West Maui in October. Can we reschedule for another time? So far we have not heard back from our resort hotel. Any info will be appreciated.
We were booked to stay within a half mile of Lahaina.
We’ve shared all the current information. It is too soon to know, but in the next couple of weeks, more will be revealed. You can probably make a better informed decision then.
I mean no offense when I say this, but you are the kind of person that gives us “outsiders” a bad name and a reason for locals to complain about us. There is an absolute trajedy happening there right now and look at you…. “me, me, me”. Who cares about your anniversary, lives were lost, not just in death, but many ways, but hey, lets hope you get to go to your anniversary vacation.
Let me relate to you my experiences yesterday that may help you make a decision regarding your upcoming visit. Yesterday I joined a team of healthcare workers from Kahului and travelled to to Lahaina to provide medical care to residents of West Maui. There were approximately 12 of us, split up into two groups, doctors, nurses and pharmacists. I was in the Gateway Center, which is in Lahaina, but was not touched by the fire. Just across the street in cordoned off areas I could see the devastation. I could smell it too. It is truly more horrific than anything anyone could imagine just from looking at drone footage on TV. Altogether we saw about 75 patients, the majority of which live in the vicinity of Lahaina and to the north along the western coast. As I treated these patients I listened to their stories. Their situation on the west side is dire. Many of them did not have running water or if they did it was not safe to drink. Most of them were just now getting electricity. Transportation was difficult due to road closures. Many were having to sit in cars for hours as they waited in drive-through lanes to pick up donated essential items. Most, if not all of the hotels are closed to visitors and are being used to house the refugees from the fire. The dead are still being found among the rubble. If you do come please consider volunteering rather than recreating. West Maui is no longer a vacation paradise. It will again be, but not now. Mahalo.
I really appreciate this first step in encouraging responsible tourism. I’d love to know more ways to heal and reduce harm to sensitive Hawaiian ecosystems,human and otherwise. Volunteerism is my love language: how can I speak it on my much anticipated first trip to Kauai? Mahalo.
The Hawaiian government was in collusion with big business, allowing Marriott to build two more big timeshare buildings in place of tennis courts,allowing Hyatt to build a big timeshare building, and Westin to build two more timeshare buildings. All of these are part of Kaanapali Beach. Maui was for sale.
Yeah, and now after the Lahaina fire, that whole part of the island is now in chaos with no power or water, and took a very long time to evacuate the visitors. I think the Hawaiian spirts are sending a message.
Spoken by someone living there that apparently has money. Homelessness is the biggest problem plaguing Maui, not tourism. Way to look out for your fellow Hawaiians.
The best thing you can do is do what You want to do. Be respectful of the land and reefs, but who cares if you are doing tourist things? What these Maui residents complaining don’t realize, is that Many other people in the US live in ‘tourist’ destinations, as well. They need to get over it, there are respectful and disrespectful people visiting everywhere, not just Maui.
As I said in another comment I made here, just don’t be shocked by the staggering amount of homeless you will see. It is very sad, and should be the focus of residents, not tourism.
My husband and I booked a 20 year anniversary vacation to West Maui in October. Can we reschedule for another time? So far we have not heard back from our resort hotel. Any info will be appreciated.
We were booked to stay within a half mile of Lahaina.
Hi Kathy.
We’ve shared all the current information. It is too soon to know, but in the next couple of weeks, more will be revealed. You can probably make a better informed decision then.
Aloha.
I mean no offense when I say this, but you are the kind of person that gives us “outsiders” a bad name and a reason for locals to complain about us. There is an absolute trajedy happening there right now and look at you…. “me, me, me”. Who cares about your anniversary, lives were lost, not just in death, but many ways, but hey, lets hope you get to go to your anniversary vacation.
Steve, you may be expecting too much out of people….
Let me relate to you my experiences yesterday that may help you make a decision regarding your upcoming visit. Yesterday I joined a team of healthcare workers from Kahului and travelled to to Lahaina to provide medical care to residents of West Maui. There were approximately 12 of us, split up into two groups, doctors, nurses and pharmacists. I was in the Gateway Center, which is in Lahaina, but was not touched by the fire. Just across the street in cordoned off areas I could see the devastation. I could smell it too. It is truly more horrific than anything anyone could imagine just from looking at drone footage on TV. Altogether we saw about 75 patients, the majority of which live in the vicinity of Lahaina and to the north along the western coast. As I treated these patients I listened to their stories. Their situation on the west side is dire. Many of them did not have running water or if they did it was not safe to drink. Most of them were just now getting electricity. Transportation was difficult due to road closures. Many were having to sit in cars for hours as they waited in drive-through lanes to pick up donated essential items. Most, if not all of the hotels are closed to visitors and are being used to house the refugees from the fire. The dead are still being found among the rubble. If you do come please consider volunteering rather than recreating. West Maui is no longer a vacation paradise. It will again be, but not now. Mahalo.
Hi Eldo.
Thank you for all that you are doing and for generously sharing your knowledge here.
Aloha.
I really appreciate this first step in encouraging responsible tourism. I’d love to know more ways to heal and reduce harm to sensitive Hawaiian ecosystems,human and otherwise. Volunteerism is my love language: how can I speak it on my much anticipated first trip to Kauai? Mahalo.
Thank you Good information. We don’t stop to consider the damage we do to other communities when we are on vacation
Then I guess you should blame any Hawaiian resident that is even the slightest over weight for your homeless population…
So sad to hear about tourist problems. Maybe restrict access like Hanauma Bay? Kinda hard to do with a fully accessable beach.
Old. Very old BS I’ve been wintering for over 50 years on keavakapoo Beach (so maui)
Have witnessed 2 big storms and tree damage.
The Hawaiian government was in collusion with big business, allowing Marriott to build two more big timeshare buildings in place of tennis courts,allowing Hyatt to build a big timeshare building, and Westin to build two more timeshare buildings. All of these are part of Kaanapali Beach. Maui was for sale.
Exactly! Supporting big out of town development, while banning short term rentals which local mom and pops could use to build wealth. Shame.
Yeah, and now after the Lahaina fire, that whole part of the island is now in chaos with no power or water, and took a very long time to evacuate the visitors. I think the Hawaiian spirts are sending a message.
Spoken by an entitled tourist!
Spoken by someone living there that apparently has money. Homelessness is the biggest problem plaguing Maui, not tourism. Way to look out for your fellow Hawaiians.
We just came back from Kehei, Maui and the tourist have more then doubled since my last visit.
Would Love to live there instead of visiting.
The best thing you can do is do what You want to do. Be respectful of the land and reefs, but who cares if you are doing tourist things? What these Maui residents complaining don’t realize, is that Many other people in the US live in ‘tourist’ destinations, as well. They need to get over it, there are respectful and disrespectful people visiting everywhere, not just Maui.
As I said in another comment I made here, just don’t be shocked by the staggering amount of homeless you will see. It is very sad, and should be the focus of residents, not tourism.