West Maui set to reopen to tourists two months after wildfires killed 97 leaving locals struggling over reopening economy

• For the first time since the deadly wildfires,  tourists are being allowed into West Maui
• Residents are torn between wanting time to grieve and needing to get back to work and help the area’s economy
• West Maui contributes a whopping 15 percent of state tourism revenue

For the first time since deadly wildfires ripped through Maui, tourists are being allowed in the area leaving locals split on the need to grieve and jump-starting the economy. 

Thousands of buildings were destroyed and 97 lives lost in early August when deadly fires swept West Maui, nearly burning the historic town of Lahaina to the ground.

However, the area contributes 15 percent of state tourism revenue, and the decrease in visitors has caused an estimated loss of state tax revenue between $11 million and $13 million each day.

On Sunday, the state allowed tourists to return to the area even as burned-out buildings remain in the area.  

‘I know families that want to go back to work, and they all work in the hotel industry,’ Molokai resident Bridget Mowat told the Maui County Council on October 6.

‘It’s not what they want … it’s what they need. They need work.’

Last week, the county council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution urging Hawaii Governor Josh Green to postpone the reopening of West Maui to tourism.

The governor previously announced that state officials were looking to reopen West Maui starting October 8.

While he acknowledged that there was no ‘right time’ to welcome tourists back, Green said: ‘I can say that if we support Maui’s economy and keep our people employed, they will heal faster and can continue to be able to afford to live on Maui.’

The Council heard from Pamela Tumpap, the president of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, who said economic damage to Maui could be curtailed by helping the tourism industry while simultaneously providing humanitarian relief.

‘Relief efforts are just not coming quickly enough for many businesses, and they’re seeing the negative impacts due to visitor losses,’ she explained.

Just under 8,800 people are estimated to be out of work on the island, and nearly 8,000 people who lost their homes are staying in temporary accommodations.

The county’s resolution reads: ‘The reopening of West Maui for tourism … poses a significant challenge to the emotional well-being and readiness of our community members, particularly those directly affected by the wildfires.’ 

It says the recovery process ‘requires time, compassion and a supportive environment that allows residents to heal, rebuild and regain a sense of normalcy,’ and highlights concerns that tensions may arise between stressed residents and tourists – a strain that could damage Hawaii‘s welcoming reputation.

The resolution came after a roughly ten-hour council committee meeting on September 27 where members heard concerns from hundreds of West Maui residents.

Council member Keani Rawlins-Fernandez described Green as having ‘cracked the whip’ in sending the residents of West Maui back to work. 

She described the decision to reopen as ‘not trauma-informed’ and one that was inconsiderate to those suffering.

Rawlins-Fernandez identified a spectrum of tourists ranging from ‘amazing human beings, to the uneducated, to the downright deplorable humans’ who treated ‘residents as roadside attractions.’

But she also acknowledged the desire – and need – of others to return to work.

A petition from community advocate group Lahaina Strong garnered 11,141 signatures before it was hand-delivered to Green’s office on October 3. That number grew to nearly 17,000 by the weekend.

Demands included stabilizing housing and rent for displaced residents, ensuring education for children and marketing other parts of Maui to tourists – points that were touched upon during Tuesday’s protest.

Gathering outside the Hawaii State Capitol, protestors brandished signs reading ‘Let Lahaina Heal’ and ‘Delay West Maui Reopening.’

Speakers acknowledged the indispensable role tourism played in the economy -but stressed that many survivors were not ready to reopen their home to visitors, especially those still grappling with the anguish of having lost their possessions and loved ones.

Council member Tamara Paltin opened her remarks by saying: ‘Majority of people I speak to, myself included, still cannot sleep through the night. Majority of people in West Maui, our kids are not in school.’

She said she texted the governor asking him to hold off on allowing tourists back when she first learned of the proposal on September 7.

‘So many people I’ve spoken to have had tourists stick cameras in their faces, demanding to be told what the experience is like, if they lost their house. Nobody is in the headspace to deal with that politely,’ she said.

Paltin encouraged elected officials to open a dialogue with the people of West Maui to set benchmarks for reopening rather than ‘a date you pick out of the calendar.’ 

Green’s absence from the event furthered protestors’ frustration.

‘All the people are really asking for is that back-and-forth dialogue in a public setting. I don’t think that’s too much to ask,’ Paltin told reporters from KHON 2.

Lahaina native Paele Kiakona stressed the trauma caused by the fires – and that for many, grief was still fresh.

‘Obviously our business benefits from the presence of tourism,’ he began.

‘For myself personally, I’m not ready to go back. I don’t want the conversation to also be, “Oh did you lose your home? How were you displaced in this wildfire?” And that’s for myself.

‘Imagine somebody else who doesn’t have the metals stability given they might be in even more trying times. And somebody consistently reminding you of the disaster you just went through and reminding you of that trauma.

‘This is where we come with that plea that so many of us are not ready,’ he said. ‘Everything in Lahaina right now is very disorganized. On every level. So adding tourist visitors coming to Lahaina is adding insult to injury.’

After the speakers gave their remarks, a chant started up: ‘Keep West Maui closed! Now is not the time!’ 

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen provided his own statement following the adoption of the resolution.

In a video published to the County of Maui Facebook page on Saturday, Mayor Bissen stood before a peaceful beach backdrop.

‘I know we are still grieving and it feels too soon, but the reality is there are those in our community who are ready to get back to work,’ he said. ‘Bills need to be paid.’

The mayor explained that a few hotels would welcome tourists as part of a ‘phased reopening’ staggered by proximity to Lahaina.

The initial phase area runs from the Kapalua Resort to Kahana Villa. Two phases closer to Lahaina will follow with unspecified timing. 

Bissen explained that his office would be working with community partners to ensure those displaced by the fires wouldn’t be pushed out of temporary housing to make room for tourists.

He also referenced launching an education campaign to guarantee visitors would treat the island respectfully.

‘And together, we will make our way to restoring and rebuilding the Maui we want for our families and our children,’ the mayor said.