West Maui Reopens to Tourists Starting November 1, 2023
West Maui is open again to tourists from Nov. 1, 2023, after a devastating fire last August, except for the burning part in Lahaina. It was the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century.
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| Boats moored near Mala Boat Ramp frame Kaanapali hotels in the distance Wednesday. Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen announced Monday that more areas of West Maui, from Kahana to the Hyatt Regency, will reopen to tourism on Nov. 1. (Photo: The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER) |
Mayor Richard Bissen said the move was taken after talks with Lahaina's advisory team, the Red Cross, and other partners.
There were pros and cons in the community about when the region could reopen itself to post-disaster tourism
Bissen said workers are ready to return to routine, but understand that some people still can't do it.
"Those who are not ready to return to work on November 1 can talk to their superiors and continue to seek needed help and attention," Bissen said in a press conference in Lahaina, Hawaii, Monday (10/30/2023) which was broadcast online, as quoted by AP News.
West Maui has about 11,000 hotel rooms or about half of Maui's total hotel rooms.
Also, read: Wildfires in Hawaii are like war zones.
In the Aug. 8 fire that ravaged Lahaina, tourists were evacuated from the hotels. At least 99 people died and more than 2,000 buildings were destroyed.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green last month said the official reopening of tourism on Oct. 8 so people can return to work is what is urgently needed for economic recovery.
However, there were modifications in the governor's declaration so that the opening was gradual, starting with a small section on the northern edge of West Maui first and another to follow at an undetermined time.
Previously, there were pros and cons in the community about when the region could reopen itself to post-disaster tourism.
Some residents petitioned against the return of the tourists and said they were not ready.
According to Bissen, the reopening schedule is voluntary, and says that some properties have reopened on their own.