Do people of Maui want visitors?

That message has since changed. “Maui's not closed,” Mayor Richard Bissen said in a recent interview. People shouldn't go to Lahaina or the surrounding West Maui area — “It's not a place to stare,” Bissen said — but the rest of Maui needs tourists. “Respect the West, visit the rest,” is the motto some have adopted.



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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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The island beloved for its world-famous beaches, the sacred ?Iao Valley, views of migrating humpback whales (during winter months), farm-to-table cuisine and the magnificent sunrise and sunset from Haleakala.

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Generally, most locals are happy to see the tourists come and see what life means for them, especially those activities that depict a life many have never seen, learned, or experienced.

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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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Whether you like it or not, tourism is the main engine of our economy here on Maui. During COVID, we had lofty utopian thoughts of diversifying away from tourism, but it hasn't happened and would take far too long for our residents to survive financially.

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One of the main reasons to fall in love with Maui is undoubtedly its gorgeous beaches. Volumes have been written about Maui beaches and their diversity. From white to black and red sand, from snorkeling to windsurfing and swimming, Maui has over 30 miles of unbelievably beautiful beaches.

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But the island – the second-largest of Hawaii's islands – is also known around the world as a destination for ultra-wealthy holidaymakers. In 2011, Peter Thiel, the founder of PayPal, dropped US$27 million on a 1.7-acre Maui property.

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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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Tourism is slowly coming back to Maui as the Hawaiian government starts to lift travel restrictions to the western region, two months after devastating wildfires that left nearly 100 dead and displaced thousands of people. West Maui will reopen to tourists in three staggered phases.

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Tourists were officially welcomed back to West Maui on Sunday, exactly two months after devastating wildfires displaced thousands of residents, killed 98 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings. Historic Lahaina Town – once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom – was, and is still, unrecognizable.

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Oprah Winfrey and Jeff Bezos are among those who have part-time homes on the island. The wildfires that have killed at least 55 in Maui are burning on an island that also contains the part-time homes of billionaires, including Oprah Winfrey, Peter Thiel and Jeff Bezos.

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The seclusion and natural beauty of Maui have long attracted celebrities, including Steven Tyler, Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson and Jim Carrey. It has also drawn a suite of tech executives, who have purchased some of the most expensive properties on the island.

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The community of Kapalua can be found on the northwestern tip of Maui and is home to some of the most luxurious properties on the island. Whether you're looking for luxury houses by the beach or up on the hillside, you'll find your perfect home in Kapalua.

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A 2023 point-in-time report shows Lahaina as the region with the second most homeless people on the island at 113, after Central Maui.

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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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Without a doubt, the Island of Maui definitely doesn't have a lack of luxurious vacation accommodations! From stunning resort properties in Wailea to private luxury vacation estates in Kapalua, Maui's got a little bit of opulence for everyone.

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Hawaii is a stunning location with plenty of fun things to do, no matter which island you visit. If you're in the market for a beachy, relaxing vacation, you may want to head to Maui. Otherwise, consider Honolulu for its abundance of hotels, things to do and plentiful flight connections to other U.S. cities.

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Generally, most locals are happy to see the tourists come and see what life means for them, especially those activities that depict a life many have never seen, learned, or experienced.

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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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General Safety Although tourist areas are generally safe, visitors should always stay alert, even in laid-back Maui (and especially in resort and beach areas). It's wise to ask the island tourist office if you're in doubt about which neighborhoods are safe. Avoid deserted areas, especially at night.

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