Popular areas of West Maui that have been closed since the devastating Lahaina fires in early August will reopen on Wednesday, November 1, the Maui government says. “The phased reopening of West Maui accommodations began on October 8,” Maui officials said a press release. “Today, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced that the rest of West Maui north of Lahaina — Phases 2 and 3 from Kahana to Kā‘anapali — will begin reopening on Wednesday, November 1.” The decision was made following discussions with the Mayor’s Lahaina advisory team, the Red Cross and other partners, and the community feedback following the Read more
Maui tourism
The planned re-opening of West Maui for October 8 appears to be partly in doubt. Hawai’i Governor Josh Green last month declared that the West Maui communities of Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai, and Kapalua will fully reopen on Sunday, October 8, two months after the August 8 wildfires that destroyed Lahaina. But that seems unlikely to happen after Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said this week that the reopening will happen in phases. Bissen said the most northerly part of the West Maui tourism area would open October 8 and would include everything from Kahana Villa to the The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Read more
Hawai’i Governor Josh Green today declared that the West Maui communities of Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai, and Kapalua will fully reopen on Sunday, October 8, two months after the August 8 wildfires that destroyed Lahaina. Hawai‘i residents and visitors are encouraged to make travel plans to Maui and support the island’s businesses, restaurants, retail outlets, attractions, and accommodations. All previous restrictions for travel to West Maui communities north of Lahaina will be lifted October 8 and no one should be discouraged or reluctant to go and support the businesses and workers that rely on tourism in West Maui for their families’ Read more
Kudos to Alaska Airlines for encouraging visitors to Maui, and offering sizeable discounts on air tickets. The airline says it will offer 40% off on tickets on flights to Maui until Oct. 18, 2023. The governor of Hawai’i currently has banned travel to West Maui until October 17.. West Maui is home to the fire-ravaged city of Lahaina and popular resorts in Ka’anapali, Kahana, Napili and Kapalua. Alaska Airlines’ website has a post with a series of interviews with Maui residents and business owners asking visitors to return in a respectful manner to open areas of the island and help Read more
I wrote a story last week that quoted Hawaii tourism officials as saying it’s a good time to visit Maui. The gist of the article was that many areas of Maui are open to visitors (west Maui won’t open until October 15), and that local workers need tourism to return so they can keep their jobs. Many readers agree, but some still don’t like the idea of visitors so soon after the August 8 fire that killed at least 115 people and destroyed almost all of the beautiful town of Lahaina. Here are some sample comments: “We will leave Maui Read more
