Two months after wildfires on the western shores of Maui killed 97 people, destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, and burned more than 2,100 acres, a state order discouraging travel to the area has been lifted. However, it remains uncertain whether local hotels and businesses will welcome visitors. West Maui schools are still closed, hundreds of businesses are shut, and thousands of people are out of work and living in temporary housing at local hotels. The state government’s decision to reopen has faced backlash from some residents, who believe it is rushed. A petition to delay the reopening has been signed by more than 15,000 people.
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Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen announced a voluntary, staggered approach to reopening. The reopening will begin with only hotels in the northernmost portion of West Maui welcoming guests. The phased approach aims to serve both the people and local businesses, according to Governor Josh Green. Travel to other areas of Maui that were not damaged by the fires, such as Wailea, is not restricted. The reopening has raised questions among residents and created confusion among hotel operators, residents, and tourists alike. The mixed messages from Mayor Bissen and Governor Green have caused uncertainty.
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Hotels in West Maui will open gradually. Businesses on a three-mile stretch from the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua to Kahana Villa in Kahana were encouraged to open starting Sunday. Only several hotels in this area, including the Ritz Carlton, will actually welcome visitors by October 8. Hotels in the Kaanapali area expect to have a later opening date. The hotels in Wailea and Kihei have already reopened. Wailea’s Fairmont Kea Lani is offering incentives to attract guests who previously cancelled their reservations.
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Lahaina residents have been allowed to gradually return to their properties. Three schools are scheduled to reopen on October 16. However, permanent housing remains a crisis, and thousands of people are staying in area hotels coordinated by the Red Cross. Local officials have emphasized that evacuees will not be displaced to accommodate tourists. Recent visitors have noted the empty atmosphere on the island, with many hotel rooms vacant, restaurants closed, and beaches deserted. The decline in tourism has impacted the economy of Maui and the state as a whole.
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Officials are requesting respectful tourism. They hope to cultivate a conscious and mindful approach to visiting Maui, prioritizing local businesses and potentially including volunteering to aid relief efforts. However, officials and residents advise against visiting Lahaina and emphasize the need for a proper attitude and reverence to the place and its people. The entire community has experienced trauma and is grieving.
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