Do Maui residents want tourists to stay away?

Maui residents have remained consistent that visitors should avoid all of West Maui, which continues to be a hub for displaced families. Hotels there are housing more than 5,000 people who are not tourists, including families who lost homes, government relief officials, aid organizations and cleanup crews.



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Despite what has been circulating on social media, Maui residents assure visitors will be welcomed—as long as they're respectful while they're on the island.

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In the days following the deadly wildfires, many Hawaiians told tourists to stay away. But a month later, officials are asking people to return responsibly.

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Some locals, many of them of Native Hawaiian descent, have gone so far as to argue that travelers should cross Hawaii off of their future itineraries for good. Tourism is seen as one of several factors that allowed the Maui fire to become so deadly.

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Maui is generally safe, but you can expect accounts of petty crime as with any tourist destination. Some visitors make the mistake of leaving valuables like cameras and purses visible in their car, only to come back from shopping or hiking to find their windows smashed.

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Maui Travel Tips: How to Respect the Locals While You're There
  1. Don't litter. ...
  2. Don't honk your horn. ...
  3. Be patient. ...
  4. Don't take anything from the beach. ...
  5. Don't haggle too much. ...
  6. Say “thank you.” ...
  7. Learn a few words in Hawaiian. ...
  8. Don't take photos of people without their permission.


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With continued subsidence at the present-day rates, Haleakala and West Maui will become separate islands in about 15,000 years. At its largest, Maui Nui stretched from about 42 miles west-southwest of the present west shoreline of Moloka'i to roughly 47 miles east of the eastern tip of Maui.

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Practical Do's & Don'ts for Maui Visitors For the most part, people who live here are friendly, helpful, and welcoming to visitors. We love sharing the beauty and joys of our island home, particularly with visitors who are polite, respectful of the Hawaiian culture, and accepting of “the local way” of...

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According to an article about the Spring 2022 Resident Survey from KHON2, a Hawaiian news network, 67 percent of residents agree that Hawaii “is being run for tourists at the expense of local people.” The survey lists the major problems residents' see as a result of tourism, which include overcrowding, damage to the ...

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For a more authentic feel, skip the mega-resorts of West and South Maui and head to the North Shore, East Maui, or Upcountry, where you're more likely to interact with locals than with tourists. Upcountry is the least touristy area.

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But, the increase in tourism has resulted in problems such as overcrowding, littering, an overextension of our rescue and emergency resources & damage to the fragile ecosystem. Some Native Hawaiians may feel that tourists do not show enough respect for the environment.

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Hawaii public officials want tourists back after the horrible wildfire as soon as possible, but airlines and tour operators know that it takes time for local communities to heal. Maui's tourism recovery has been moving at a sluggish pace since the wildfires devastated the island's western region in early August.

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Avoid the crowds Spring and fall are the least crowded times of the year on Maui. The relative lack of crowds will be more pleasant for beach-goers and sightseers alike. While there will always be tourists in Hawaii, you may find advantages to going to popular places during these times of year.

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Although some of them might seem a bit stereotypical, these are the common pieces of clothing worn by native Hawaiians regularly.
  1. Hawaiian/Aloha shirts.
  2. Board shorts.
  3. Loose-fitting pants or shorts.
  4. Comfortable shoes like sandals or flip flops.
  5. Colorful sundresses.
  6. Muumuu dresses.
  7. Tank tops.
  8. Pa'u hula skirts.


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Out of all the Hawaiian islands, Maui is facing the most erosion – data indicates that 85% of Maui's beaches are experiencing long-term erosion. West Maui, where the Kahana Sunset resides, has been heavily impacted by high waves and erosion, according to Owens.

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Maui County has seen the largest increase in poverty in the state since 2018, according to a recent report that noted a growing trend in Hawaii families slipping below both the basic cost of living and federal poverty lines.

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After heavy rains, stay out of the ocean until the water clears. Don't swim in the mouths of rivers or streams or in any murky areas. Murky waters attract predators (think “shark”), and you don't want to be mistaken for a fish or turtle when they are looking for a snack. You'll find more Maui ocean safety tips here!

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