10/24/2023
So happy all will be able to share the untouched beauty of West Maui. A gentle return to tourism is welcomed by so many trying to recover from the Lahaina fires. Tourists are not taking resources from locals, instead their return offers a way for so many to return to work and a sense of normalcy at least in one area of their lives. Show your Aloha. We have links to volunteer options on our website blog if you would like to donate some time to help in another way
Mayor Richard Bissen announced Monday that the phased re-opening of West Maui to visitors will continue November 1 with the re-opening of the remaining area from Kahana to Kaʻanapali.
The decision followed many discussions with the Mayorʻs Lāhainā Advisory Team, the American Red Cross and other partners, as well as listening carefully to community feedback describing the overall transition as smooth during the first phase of re-opening.
Mayor Bissen said the November 1 re-opening will combine the remaining two phases that had been planned and is intended to signal a time when businesses and workers can make their preparations.
“The Red Cross has assured me that housing for displaced Lāhainā residents, including those staying in hotels, is not in jeopardy,” Mayor Bissen said. “In addition, the County has a commitment from other partners to work on developing child care programs for displaced families. Sheltering close to 7,000 survivors remains a critical focus of our efforts and their needs are our priority. I appreciate the help our hotels have provided these past several weeks, and we’ll continue to work together with the hotel properties and American Red Cross.”
The first re-opening phase, from Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua to Kahana Villa, began October 8.
Mayor Bissen and members of his Lāhainā Advisory Team had shaped a phased approach to the re-opening of West Maui to visitors following an announcement by Gov. Josh Green that West Maui would re-open on October 8.
The phases were developed to provide for residents to return to work, establish needed childcare, settle children into the temporary state Department of Education elementary and intermediate schools and Lahainaluna High School, and provide for a more deliberate process to help with housing needs for the thousands in temporary shelter at many hotel properties. The phased approach called for a staggered focus on the return of visitors to the westside hotel properties and the area.
