West Maui will reopen to tourists on October 8, announced Hawaii Governor, Josh Green. This follows the recent devastating wildfires. But not everyone believes this is the right move.
According to skift.com, tourists will be able to visit Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai and Kapalua, however Lahaina will remained closed to the public.
“Beginning October 8, all travel restrictions will end and West Maui will be open to visitors again, so people from Hawaii and around the world can resume travel to this special place and help it begin to recover economically,” said Green. “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.”
The decision was made to support the island’s small and medium-sized businesses, and hotels that rely heavily on tourism.
However, Lahaina Strong, a grassroots community organisation, is petitioning the decision, fighting for displaced residents not to be removed from Kaanapali resorts and asking for more time before the return of tourism, reported eturbonews.com.
According to the government’s contract, the Kaanapali resorts are to provide shelter for the displaced until September 30, giving the resorts a week to get ready for tourism.
Despite many free offers from the World Tourism Network to promote the island’s businesses during the aftermath of the fire, many tourism organisations did not want to participate. These included the Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau and the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Organization and its Maui affiliate.
Now Lahaina Strong is asking Hawaiians to sign a petition asking Green and Maui Mayor, Richard Bissen to delay the reopening of tourism.
Keahi, a Lahaina Strong representative has urged officials to ensure displaced residents have places to stay before rebuilding businesses on the island, and to consult working-class residents who have been affected by the fire.
“The voices of our displaced residents, who have endured immeasurable hardships, have not been adequately heard,” says the petition.
The August wildfires that devastated West Maui, killed over 100 people, displacing thousands and causing billions of dollars in property damage.
