In positive news for one of Australia’s favourite overseas destinations, Hawai’i Governor Josh Green MD has declared that the West Maui communities of Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai and Kapalua will fully reopen in early October.
The announcement will lift all previous restrictions on travel to West Maui north of Lahaina from Sunday, 8 October, some two months after wildfires ravaged the historic town on 8 August.
With the update, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA) is urging Hawaiian residents and travellers to get out there and support local businesses, hotels, restaurants, stores and attractions.
With tourism a vital industry for West Maui, many residents rely on visitor spending for their livelihoods.
“Beginning 8 October, all travel restrictions will end and West Maui will be open to visitors again, so people from Hawaiʻi and around the world can resume travel to this special place and help it begin to recover economically,” Governor Green said.
“This difficult decision is meant to bring hope for recovery to the families and businesses on Maui that have been so deeply affected in every way by the disaster.”
While most of West Maui will reopen to tourism, Green said Lahaina would remain off-limits to visitors “until further notice out of respect to the town’s residents”.
“County, state, and federal emergency responders continue with efforts to identify victims and the missing, and conduct clean-up efforts of debris and hazardous materials resulting from the wildfires,” the Governor stated.
Show your support
HTA chief administrative officer Daniel Nāho’opi‘i praised the local and international support the state had received in the aftermath of the tragedy, calling the response “incredible and inspiring”.
“No one in Hawai‘i will ever forget the tragedy that our friends, families, loved ones, and colleagues in Lahaina are enduring,” he said.
“Now is the time for people everywhere to show their support for Maui by booking trips, making restaurant reservations, and frequenting Maui’s retail stores and attractions that support workers and their families.”
For more information on travel to Hawai’i, visit the official HTA website at gohawaii.com/au.
Hawaiian Airlines campaign takes flight
Meanwhile, state carrier Hawaiian Airlines has launched a new video series that focuses on Maui and local voices.
Part of the carrier’s Travel Pono (Responsibly) program, the three-part series kicked off with a nod to Hawaiian’s Maui-based staff, who share their thoughts on Maui tourism and also its positive impacts.
In the videos, employees also address ethical concerns about visiting the island, sparked by “hundreds” of queries from HA customers.
“This is a special moment to visit Maui, with unique opportunities to experience the place and also responsibilities,” Hawaiian Airlines chief marketing officer Avi Mannis said.
“As the hometown airline, we have a special role to play in supporting Maui. In speaking with our teammates who live on Maui and local business owners, we felt it was important to help them share what visitors can experience visiting Maui today, and what mindful travel to and within Maui looks like as the island recovers.”
Among the video hosts are Kiakona Ordonez (a flight attendant from Wailuku), Gerraine Nakama (a guest service agent from Haʻikū) and Sheila Sone, an A321neo captain from Wailuku.
“Maui is definitely open,” Ordonez says in the opening video.
“But when you travel to Maui and Hawaiʻi, we ask that you travel pono – to be mindful, as if you’re going to someone else’s house, and to be respectful.”
Earlier this year, Karryon sat down with representatives from three of Hawai’i’s most popular islands – Maui, Oʻahu and Kauaʻi. Read our interview and why you should stay ON the beaten path in Hawai’i.
Also, read our latest Aloha Update here.
