Many travelers to Maui have been grappling with whether or not to travel to Maui after fires destroyed the historic West Maui town of Lahaina in August 2023. Despite what many might have heard in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires, Hawaii needs travelers and tourists to come. It’s not just the tourism boards or the government who are saying this; it’s even the locals. Businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and shops selling water adventure gear, want tourists to visit; it’s the best way to help the island get back on its feet. As Lahaina and the other affected areas rebuild, the best thing tourists can do is still visit Maui while respectfully staying away from those areas. Even though some hotels in Kanaapali, just north of Lahaina, are open, giving them the time and space to heal and rebuild themselves is best.
The rest of Maui is physically untouched, even though the disaster has emotionally impacted it. But the message from them is clear and unified: “We want you to come.” Tourism will certainly go a long way in stabilizing the already-battered economy of Maui and the surrounding islands. But there’s a nuance to visiting it right now and a clear sense of what’s wrong and what’s right when it comes to behavior. Here’s a detailed guide on how to be a good and responsible visitor to Maui in the aftermath of the fires.
Table of contents
Do
1
Stay in South and East Maui
The affected northwestern region of Maui is just one side of Maui. The other side is the utterly gorgeous East and South Maui, where businesses are thriving and waiting to welcome travelers with open arms. Coastal towns and villages like Wailea, Ma’alaea, and even the stunning Kihei coast have tons of amazing options. In fact, the upscale Wailea is home to some of Maui’s best oceanfront hotels, including luxury resorts.
One such luxurious Maui hotel is the beguiling Fairmont Kea Lani, which has become a cultural hotspot of sorts with the opening of a cultural center, Hale Kukuna. This December 2023-opened center, helmed by the hotel’s manager of Hawaiian culture, Kamahiwa Kawa’a, has a rich calendar of events and activities. These include ukulele, bamboo-carving, hula, lei-making, and Hawaiian language – and not just for tourists but also the residents of Maui. It’s a fitting tribute to the inimitable Lahaina, the Hawaiian kingdom’s capital between 1802 and 1845. For them, making a cultural connection is the key to understanding why Maui — and Lahaina — is so important to them, and the Fairmont is paving the way.
That’s not the only one, though. At the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, the private catamaran excursion A Wayfinder’s Journey features distinguished female navigator Kala Baybayan Tanaka, who talks about how ancient Polynesians traveled to Maui by turning to natural elements like the sea and stars. There’s even a multicourse menu focusing on the ingredients that those Polynesian sailors brought along with them. Stories like these ensure deeper ties with Maui when visiting it.
2
Support Local Businesses
One of the best ways to malama (care for) residents of Maui is by supporting local businesses in any way, shape, or form. It’s also one of the best ways to plug into the local Hawaiian culture. Most shops and restaurants are locally owned since you must live in Maui to run a business well on the island.
In fact, Maui has many classic mom-and-pop stores selling local products and local versions of bigger brands, like chips with local flavors. These stores are invaluable to the economy since they also sustain a local fisheries, raches, and farms network. Don’t miss eating at the philanthropic food truck Maui Fresh Streatery, whose Korean pork-belly bowls contain homemade kimchi made from cabbage sourced from Kula Country Farms. Another place you can try is Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate, where they grow coffee and cultivate cacao on the home farm.
Besides shops, you can rent cars from local companies like Kihei Rent-a-Car or Kimo’s. Kihei Rent-a-Car has been owned and operated by the Huskin family since 1990, and it rents everything from jeeps and vans to cars at good prices. Moreover, you can find local shopping in Wiluku, along Baldwin Avenue in Makawao, or along South Kihei Road in Kihei.
3
Book Tours
There’s nothing more local than going on guided tours, and on a Maui snorkeling tour, everything is local. Moreover, the local Hawaiian owners are still doing their best to keep their entire crew employed, so what could be better?
One of our favorites is the extremely popular South Maui Eco-Friendly Molokini and Turtle Town Tour. The iconic crescent-shaped Molokini crater is accessible only via certified tour operator-led boats and is Hawaii’s top snorkeling destination. The tour begins with a delicious breakfast of coffee, fruits, and pastries before sailing out to Molokini and snorkeling through the waters to look at the astounding corals and marine life. It’ll even take you to Turtle Arches, where you can spy on sea turtles as you snorkel. Professional naturalists will tell you about the reef as you work through a flavorful local lunch. Don’t forget to pack your snorkeling gear and cameras!
Another fantastic activity you can enjoy is the Mokapu Farm-to-Table Luau Feast in Wailea. Taking place at Andaz Maui in Wailea, this is an amazing opportunity to see a traditional hula and experience an authentic luau. You’ll also get to indulge in a traditional ohana-style (family-style) farm-to-table meal, complete with personalized cocktails and interactive Hawaiian storytelling in the background. And, of course, who can forget those sunset views?
Check Rates on:
4
Plan Specialized Vacations
Maui is more than just Lahaina, and discerning travelers know it. Now is the time to plan specialized vacations to specific destinations on the island, away from the affected areas. And let us tell you, there are endless opportunities for the same.
For instance, one of the most popular places to see on the island is, well, a road. In fact, it’s one of the most dangerous roads in the US, the Road to Hana. It’s the ultimate road-tripping itinerary for any driving enthusiast, but what makes it all the better is what lies at the end – the Hana-Maui Resort, one of the most luxurious hotels in Maui! Plus, it sits on the island’s eastern side, which is well away from the areas affected by the fires.
The Hawaii islands are a very popular golfing destination, and one of the top golf destinations sits in Maui, the Wailea Golf Club. Tucked in Wailea on the island’s southern coast, it boasts not one or two but three premier golf courses. If you’re looking for a good tee time, then grab your travel golf bags and head straight to Wailea.
The Hawaiian islands, Maui even more so, are one of those places where you can travel alone and discover who you are. So, if you’re planning a solo vacation, grab your best one-piece swimsuits and two-piece summer vacation swimwear and head out to Maui for a fabulous time.
5
Remember the Aloha Spirit
The theme for Maui’s tourism reboot is “Mākaukau Maui,” which means “prepared” or “ready” in Hawaiian. So, it’s important to remember and return with that welcoming spirit of “Aloha,” which is the very essence of Hawaii. Aloha is more than just hello and goodbye; it also means compassion, generosity, encouragement, and love. What’s more, visiting Maui feels like a vacation, even in the wake of a disaster. So, you’ll always see the restaurant waitstaff and the snorkeling boat crew. I’m very thankful to have you visit. In fact, they’ll be thrilled that you chose to visit the island. The idea is to support the island’s recovery and enjoy your vacation, and you can do your bit by mirroring the same spirit that the islanders show.
Don’ts
1
Head To Lahaina
One of the most disrespectful things you can do when heading to Hawaii is indulge in disaster tourism. Don’t be a nosy tourist, and give people the space and time to rebuild and get their lives back on track. Another reason to avoid Lahaina is traffic build-up due to people visiting the wildfire sites, so the locals can’t get to where they want to get to, which is really disrespectful to the fact that they’ve faced a huge disaster. Also, don’t take photographs of the wildfire sites, as it’s a painful memory for the locals to see their homes in a ravaged state.
Even though hotels in Kanaapali are open, fire evacuees and displaced residents are still being sheltered in them via a FEMA-funded program. So, it’s best to do some homework and avoid booking places that locals could otherwise use. Try to be a responsible, compliant, and respectful traveler.
2
Be Intrusive
You don’t have to be intrusive to be supportive, right? That’s the only thing actually expected from visitors to Maui right now. So, avoid dwelling on the fire or how people were affected, and refrain from asking questions about the fires, as they have been a painful experience for the locals. They could have lost their homes, their businesses, and even friends or family. The concern might be well-intentioned, but it could be unwelcome to those who survived the disaster. Instead, empathize with them and express how sorry you are for what they have gone through, which would mean a lot to them. They need to be able to share their stories willingly, as the tragedy may still be raw for them.
And as a rule, don’t take pictures of the fire damage in Lahaina. The news coverage has left nothing to the imagination anyway, and it’s not respectful to the community.
3
Book A Vacation Rental
This might seem like an odd bit of advice, but it’s very relevant to the current climate in Maui. If you’re going to Maui, we advise booking full-service resorts rather than vacation rentals for more reasons than one. Firstly, the island has some absolutely fabulous hotels and resorts, including some of Hawaii’s most expensive best hotels. So, it’ll be an absolute shame to miss out on them.
Secondly, and more importantly, vacation rentals have become a hotly debated topic. A certain section of state officials and residents have been lobbying hard to make them into long-term housing for those displaced by the Lahaina fires. Considering many of those families have been living out of hotel rooms in Kanaapali and surrounding areas for months, this kind of logic is hard to argue with.
If you’re on a budget, we also have some excellent options for the best cheap hotels in Maui, HI. In fact, the gorgeous Kohea Kai Maui in Kihei is one of the best places to unwind in Maui on a budget. It sits on South Kihei Road, right across from the beach! It has excellent rooms, a laidback atmosphere, a lush garden with seating, and even a pool. What more could you want?
Top Things To Remember For A Memorable Maui Trip
While there are specific dos and don’ts for visiting Maui after the Lahaina wildfires, you must remember some general things on your trip to the island. We’ve outlined them below:
1
Leave the marine life and wildlife alone
Whether you’re snorkeling off the Maui coast or indulging in a safari in the lush Haleakala National Park, don’t reach out to touch the majestic creatures like monk seals, humpback seals, and green turtles. Also, resist the temptation to feed the fishes in order to protect the marine life.
The same goes for coral reefs, which are one of Maui’s highlights. Did you know that one inch of coral takes a year to grow? Yes! These vibrant, delicate, and sensitive ecosystems need to be protected, especially so future visitors can enjoy seeing them. So, avoid touching and standing on corals, as even the slightest touch can cause them irreparable harm.
2
Take weather and swimming warnings into account
One of the most important things to remember on Maui is that you must heed all warning signs, whether about the weather, wildlife, marine life, or swimming. Don’t miss severe weather warnings for different parts of the island, and stay away from those areas for the time period mentioned.
More importantly, stay safe when swimming anywhere on the island by following some basic advice. Firstly, choose your swimming spot wisely and don’t go swimming where no one is present. If there’s an empty beach, there are probably good reasons behind it, like rip currents. Secondly, don’t swim in murky water, which is a prime hunting ground for sharks. Since the murky state is probably due to heavy rains, it churns up the water and lessens visibility. Additionally, murky waters are potential bacterial hazards, so you could put your health and life at stake, too.
3
Do pack your swimming essentials
When swimming in the waters off Maui, you need to have the right gear for the right activity. Moreover, you need to protect the ocean and yourself! If you’re on a snorkeling vacation, then it’s best to pack your own swimming goggles with snorkel and snorkeling water shoes, especially if you plan to snorkel extensively around the island. And no matter whether you’re on land or on water, you need to apply and reapply eco-friendly sunscreens lest you end up with sunburns and skin problems. Also, don’t forget to pack UPF sun hats; they serve as the most stylish and least hassling way to keep yourself safe from the harsh sun rays during the day. Are you visiting Hawaii during winter when the waters will be cold? You better get yourself a thermal wetsuit for swimming.
Can you travel to Maui after the fires?
Absolutely. Everywhere except West Maui is completely open, up, and running for tourists, and the locals want you to come and enjoy their hospitality.
What to do in Maui since the fires?
There’s a lot more than West Maui to explore, whether it’s water activities or land-based ones. You can enjoy the sunrise tours in Haleakala National Park, snorkel at Molokini crater, boat tours to explore the islands, scuba diving, and drive along the amazing Road to Hana.
Can you visit Lahaina now?
The town of Lahaina is still off-limits. While northern areas like Kapalua and Kaanapali are open, they are also bases for those displaced by the fires, so it’s best to avoid heading there.
