For Immediate Release: September 8, 2023
HTA Release (23-36)
Governor Josh Green, M.D. Declares West Maui Communities to Reopen on October 8, Urges Visitors to Support Local Businesses and Workers
HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., today declared in a statewide address that the West Maui communities of Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai, and Kapalua will fully reopen on Sunday, October 8, two months after the August 8 wildfires that destroyed Lahaina.
Hawai‘i residents and visitors are encouraged to make travel plans to Maui and support the island’s businesses, restaurants, retail outlets, attractions, and accommodations. All previous restrictions for travel to West Maui communities north of Lahaina will be lifted October 8 and no one should be discouraged or reluctant to go and support the businesses and workers that rely on tourism in West Maui for their families’ livelihood.
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.”
For the latest information on travel to the Hawaiian Islands, visit our official travel site, gohawaii.com.
Statistics indicate that 75% of the private-sector jobs on Maui are in the tourism industry and tourism accounts for 75-80% of Maui's economy. These are staggering numbers, especially when you realize how many people have been and could be impacted by the recent wildfires that resulted in the loss of many lives, as well as home, jobs, businesses, and one of the most historic, cultural and sacred places in Hawai'i, the town of Lahaina.
If you would like to share the Spirit of Aloha with the Maui Community, following is a list of some reputable organizations who need financial support to assist those in need:
Maui Food Bank
Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s Kākoʻo Maui Fund
American Red Cross of Hawai'i
Maui United Way
Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much).
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I fell in love with travel when I was a child and my family went on adventurous road trips to visit relatives who lived in other states. I loved the scenery, visiting historical sites, learning about the history and culture of the places we visited, eating local food, listening to local music and meeting local people. In my early teens, I started reading travel magazines and dreaming of faraway places. My first job was working for an airline, which gave me the opportunity to visit some of those places. Eventually, my career path led me in a different direction, but I always knew that I would end up working in the travel industry again.
In 2001, I started Lighthouse Travel in order to help discerning leisure travelers fulfill their travel needs and desires. In the beginning. I specialized in travel to Europe, but shortly thereafter I decided it was time to “spread my wings” and learn more about other destinations that piqued my interest. Since I grew up in Florida, I had visited some of the Caribbean islands, and after moving to California and marrying a well-traveled musician from New Zealand, I became interested in visiting other island destinations. I started by doing on-island training in French Polynesia and Hawai'i. In 2004, I was certified as a Tahiti Specialist and by 2010 I was certified as a Master Specialist by all six of the major Hawaiian Islands. I demonstrated my commitment to Hawai'i tourism even further by completing the "Ambassadors of Aloha" hospitality program with the University of Hawai'i, and I visit the islands a number of times each year to keep up to date with new and improved hotels, activities, restaurants, etc. Since I have a passion for cruising as well, I am also a Certified Luxury Cruise Specialist. My focus is on adventure, culinary, cultural, and wellness travel; honeymoons and sustainable tourism.
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