Hawaii governor Dr. Josh Green said the West Maui communities of Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai, and Kapalua, devastated by the wildfires in August, will reopen for business on Sunday, October 8.
The state tourism authority had asked visitors to please stay away from the West Maui communities, but the governor is now urging visitors to help rebuild by visiting.
All restrictions on visiting towns west of Lahaina are lifted.
The governor encouraged visitors to shop in retail stores and eat at restaurants in West Maui to help support the rebuild of the tourist-driven economy.
Governor Green stated, “Beginning October 8, 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. 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.”
Lahaina itself will remain fully closed to the public 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.
“No one in Hawai‘i will ever forget the tragedy that our friends, families, loved ones, and colleagues in Lahaina are enduring,” said Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i, Chief Administrative Officer of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. “The response from residents statewide and by people around the world to support Maui’s recovery has been incredible and inspiring. 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.”
Touristy and trendy Lahaina is the most visited town in Maui. There is no scheduled date so far as to when it will reopen.
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