Last week I wrote that Maui’s mayor said it was time for tourists to return to the island. Just stay away from the western part. They need visitors to Wailea. They need visitors to Kihei.
And many of you slammed me, calling me insensitive to the tragedy that had occurred on the island. One commenter wrote that I was “tone deaf and steeped in the colonial privilege.”
I had written that,
- After the fires it didn’t make sense to go right away. In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, tourists would be a burden on limited infrastructure.
- But it would soon be important for Maui that tourists return.
- This switch would happen before people realized it had happened. So trip shaming would last longer than it should – long than what’s in the best interest of locals.
That is… exactly what happened. Maui is heavily reliant on tourism. It is 80% of the island’s economy, and open hotels are less than 50% occupied. The number of people unemployed on the island has increased ten-fold.
A commenter on this site last week wrote, “Just because someone is working in Wailea doesn’t mean they do not have family and friends who may have been severely impacted in Lahaina. Forcing those individuals to wait on you because you feel you deserve your vacation and are “helping the economy” is insensitive at best.” The problem is locals are being punished twice first by the fire (and those who failed to stop it) and now by those who think it is ‘insensitive’ to travel there, and those who feel shamed by them out of visiting, who are costing them their livelihoods.
Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green, speaking with President Biden, said that the rest of the island is open and travelers are encouraged to visit. Airlines have culled about one third of flights to the island, though, because people are trying to be ‘sensitive’ and staying away.
The local tourism authority is asking for the state to declare a “tourism emergency” and unlock $5 million to get the message out that only West Maui is closed. The tourism board’s budget is tight, slashed because of pre-fire ambivalence and hostility towards tourists. Ironically, once the tourists left, locals became desperate for their return.
I think you have a typo in your first point “did” instead of “didn’t”.
Regardless we’ve now been informed by the politicians in Hawaii that the fire was due to climate change so in order to contribute I am avoiding adding to my carbon footprint by flying to Hawaii from now on. I’m sure they don’t care about me anyway.
Sorry, Gary. In the outrage culture reality of 2023, you’d have to be a moron to go to Maui right now. You’d instantly be cancelled on social media, fired from your job for being a “white colonist”, etc.
All it takes is someone in the terminal filming a TikTok “oh look at all the a-holes boarding a flight to Maui” and boom your life is ruined through no wrong doing of your own
No. I’ll travel to other countries (even hostile ones) before I’ll spend one dollar in Hawaii.
What’s the point of this post? Just to say ‘I was right’? The rest of us, just like you, are entitled to opinions. I can’t bring myself to return to Maui yet, vacationing when people are still missing just doesn’t feel right. But I am sending money to those I know we’re affected by this, one friend lost her Lahaina business. We can still help the locals even if we’re not actively traveling there yet.
People will return, Hawai’i is a unique place of unparalleled physical beauty. The economy is dependent on tourism and money talks. The native Hawaiians who fantasize about returning to their non existent tropical paradise sovereign nation will continue spout off and bash tourists, but the locals who work for a living will prevail.
Matt,
Gary writes stuff all the time to justify what he previously wrote.
The reality, though, is that what Gary wrote is right -just earlier than most people were ready to admit it. The comments indicate – despite the well-deserved responses – that lots of people aren’t going to go back to Hawaii and esp. Maui regardless of whether the government asks.
The fires were confined to a fairly small part of Hawaii but the magnitude of the tragedy will far surpass the numbers as of today. The media, survivors and the Hawaii government owe it to the victims to not sugarcoat what happened. Many people on the mainland do understand the geography involved but still see Hawaii as a single market. Hawaii state government are failing in at least some corners for not admitting that this exact scenario was predicted and could have been substantially reduced in magnitude if proper steps had been taken. since we saw a similar situation play out in Greece just this summer w/ much less death, the difference in taking this type of thing seriously and planning based on very predictable outcomes should be a wake up call to all parts of the US and world.
For an aviation blog, there has to be consideration of the impact on specific airlines as well as hotel chains. Hawaiian Airlines has struggled worse than other airlines throughout the pandemic and this is just one more dagger in their heart. UA and WN have both made aggressive market share pushes to Hawaii including post-covid and they will suffer economically.
Given that we are going into the slow season for Hawaii, the real measure will be what happens with bookings over the next 3 months for the winter. Absent a lot of people being convinced that it is time to go back, we could see Hawaii asking for government bailouts and companies that were already damaged but which managed to survive covid finally fail.
Several people with differing views are right here, in my opinion, at least in part. Gary is right that a place very dependent on tourism can’t provide jobs in its absence. Sure some people are will be needed in the direct cleanup and rebuild processes, but tourism helps pay for that. The governor is right that the people should enjoy the unaffected side of the island. 305 is right that you may need to consider the reaction on social media and among others offline. Matt is right that we should be making contributions. The American Red Cross is a good choice here. Steven is right that tourism will return eventually. Rebuilding will be greatly aided by it.
In general too many people are spooked by headlines – whatever the situation. Even countries at war often welcome visitors to the areas that are not part of the conflict. In the case of a natural disaster, once the immediate event is over (and that’s where the governor’s opinion matters), tourism is a major part of the renewal process.
Just staying away because of a feeling of being “disrespectful” is not helpful to the local economy, though I’ll acknowledge that if a person does feel that way, it will undercut for them the joy a vacation should bring, and likely for that person it is better to go elsewhere at this time and instead make donations to aid the victims. Some might even say that donating to American Red Cross through the AA website to get 10x miles is self-serving, but if it speeds getting help where needed, I commend AA for the program.
I’m surprised to hear that half the hotel rooms are empty, because they certainly aren’t priced like it. I had done a search out of curiosity after hearing that the planes were empty, and hotel prices seem to be about what they were before the tragedy
Several friends have cancelled trips to neighboring islands as well, maybe post pandemic demand has just peaked.
Why so suprised that a blog that traffics 90% in poorly reported outrage stories attracts unthinking outraged commenters? At least, it got a lot of comments, didn’t it? And isn’t that what’s most important?
OH My, some of these negative comments; I wonder if this is all people have to do all day: find things they can negatively comment on to make them feel better. I thought the first comments by Gary were helpful and were an opinion, and this post confirmed his opinion they need and want the tourists back. I have never been to Hawaii and have heard excellent things about it. The closest I have gotten to the feel of Hawaii is the Dole Whip stand in Disney World, Maybe Hawaii 5.0 and NCIS Hawaii. You really have to have thick skin, as they say to be a blogger or even reply for that matter.
Staying away until someone gets up and says, Yes we were hopelessly underfunded and unprepared but we’ve fixed all that and we’ll be ready next time
“hostility towards tourists” pretty much says it all as to why I don’t plan on visiting Hawaii in this lifetime. Plenty of other places that are happy to get tourists.
They need to be annexed by California. They have been trying to take it over for the 20 or so years. They seem to believe that they have the solution to everything except how house people and balance a budget
The comments on this blog always give me a small shimmer of hope for the future of America and the world.
Interesting post Tim Dunn. I’ve followed Hawaiian for a long time, this certainly won’t help them. The core reason of why they haven’t recovered as quickly as the larger airlines is their most profitable market, Japan, was the slowest to return. It had just turned around this summer and starting in about June HA’s Japan flights went from empty to full as if a switch had been turned on. (this from several flight crew members ). I’m assuming many of those travelers were heading to Maui. That said, HA is a survivor. They are the only airline to survive deregulation without merging with someone else, we’ll see if that record remains after this. I suspect it will but only time will tell. There is a public awareness that supporting the Hawaii economy by supporting Hawaii business’s and the people that live there is an important choice. Maui still has a lot to offer tourists, there will be a lot of thoughtful tourists that will pivot to other areas of the island and travel there knowing full well they are directly supporting the people that have been so severely hurt by this tragedy. I suspect there will be some that will want to volunteer in many needed ways on their vacation. It’s still an island of incredible beauty and spending a day or two of a two week vacation helping people in need will resonate with a lot of people. America is filled with good people that like to help their neighbors in time of need, we’ve seen it time and time again. The natural beauty of Maui and the support of people who care will see Maui through this.
And yes Gary was spot on when he made what was an obvious observation to me. Why would anyone want to kick someone in the okole when they have suffered so much. Avoiding Maui due to this is just that. Of course people will need to work, rebuild and move forward and they can’t do it without help and support..
Hasn’t Hawaii been telling tourists NOT to come, that they were not welcome, for the last several years? I took our 50th state off my vacation options list some time ago at Hawaii’s request.
From what I read, it sounds like the 5-star hotels in Kehei and Wailea are doing fine–they are full of federal government folks on a taxpayer funded holiday.
All us social media/tv watching types seem to see and hear is how the natives barely want anyone in normal times and certainly want no one to even think about going now. And every now and then us Caucasians get singled out(hoping that sentiment just a tiny fraction out for clicks). Who knows?
In any event, Hawaii has moved far down our list for myriad reasons(distance..it’s closer to Paris from the east coast), cost, and the fact that we just don’t seem welcome often.
JohnW,
HA is deeply discounting fares to Japan to get people moving again, more so than other airlines. They also will not reinstate all of the flights they are authorized to operate until the HND slot exemptions expire and they are required to reinstate flights or lose them.
Also, WN’s assault on the intra-Hawaii market is existential. Plenty of carriers compete in the mainland to Hawaii market but WN is doing something – and succeeding to an extent – beyond what has happened before.
Hawaii is very tourist-hostile. I decided over a decade ago to never return.
There are thousands of islands in island nations around the world that are genuinely welcoming and embracing visitors instead of thinking of tourists as ATM machines like in Hawaii.
Hawaii officials are totally under the order of the hotel lobby which is doing everything it can to rip off visitors with outrageous prices due to their monopoly. (This can also be said of Vegas or New York which are also doing everything they can to ban STR)
And I am not even talking about the extreme aggressivity of the time shame scam salespeople that are at every street corner in tourist areas.
While it is true that many people are employed in the tourism industry and they need the tourism dollars, I can’t help but believe that this is done for the big corporations who have the most to gain with tourists coming to spend money.
@Vivian – believe that if you like but the number of people unemployed on Maui has jumped tenfold. They suffered from the fire, and now they suffer from tourists abandoning them.
I see no drop in either airfare costs or hotel nightly rates
Marriott for example is 700-1300 a night between September 5 and September 13th in Maui. The airport hotel is 500 a night
I wouldn’t go there at high season costs and get told don’t expect same amenities because of the devastation
You can’t have it both ways. Charge top dollar and than offer less services and blame the event
@ Gary
Why was my comment put in moderation? Nothing was said other than pricing for airfares and hotels have not dropped since fires. Hotels will use wildfire and tragedy to justify reducing benefits while keeping costs high
Not interested. I’m like others, I’ll fly right over it to countries who want my tourist dollars and act accordingly.
@Mets Fan in NC “Why was my comment put in moderation?”
I do not know. As soon as I saw it I approved it.
I’ve never felt any hostility from Hawaiians the many times I’ve vacationed there, so am a bit perplexed by the many complaints regarding anti tourist sentiments expressed here. I suppose one’s experience could just be a reflection of expectations and our own attitudes.
Just noticed that for the next week and entire September theres wide award availability for the luxury wailea hotels Andaz as well as Waldorf Grand Wailea, and also lot of award seats for at least United saver level economy which can be booked for 7.5k miles each way via Turkish Miles and Smiles transfered from Citi thankyou points.
Actually thinking whether to jump on this or not for a quick family labor day weekend trip although not sure how much our points only travel and stay will “help” the economy (I guess some help if we eat at a variety of local restaurants and shopping outside the resort stayed at)
@Luke – will definitely help because hotel will get cash back from Hilton and employees are needed to serve the customers.
Isn’t it funny that when Gary recently suggested this he was met by venomous hate from many of the same posters who are now agreeing with the governor’s statements. If your economic revenue is based on tourism dollars then you need tourists. It’s as simple as that. Hawaii ( Maui) does not have the luxury of having months or years to recover. That revenue is needed now.
To “LarryNYC”. Why do you continue to post here if you hate this blog so much. Isn’t it time for you to troll somewhere else!
@CMorgan – I noticed there is another Jake posting here, with very different perspectives than mine. Perhaps the differences you’re seeing are from different people posting under same name.
https://twitter.com/brianschatz/status/1694781570425479223?s=20
from Senator Brian Schatz
“Maui update. South Maui resorts (Lahaina is West Maui) NEED visitors. Furloughs and layoffs starting because people think the whole island is closed. It is not. If you are planning a trip to Wailea or Kihei, don’t cancel. If you want to come to Hawaii pls consider South Maui.”
I never felt any hostility either in Hawaii. I always had my son with me who uses a wheelchair. Maybe they had feelings for him. It’s a beautiful place. I had always wanted to see it. I’m not sorry one bit for going. If I knew I was unwelcome I probably wouldn’t go back. Of course I’ve heard Paris, France isn’t too fond of Americans but I still plan on a day trip next year on Eurostar. Go figure.
I don’t think I’d want to live a place where 80% of the economy is tourism. I can understand their love hate relationship with us.
Agree wit you kiddo! Been to Maui many times and always had great experiences. Just watched a YT vid on the history of hawaii. I knew it wasn’t gonna be pretty but was still a bit shocked. Signing a treaty at gunpoint?!? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gm-BMxCVBRs&pp=wgIGCgQQAhgB
Ah yiss that whole do not travel to Hawaii phase is really biting them in the ass. Did they really just realize where they get their money from? Kinda too late.
I’m torn. Scheduled to go next April. Finally decided to let the Maui local who rents to us make the decision. If she thinks it would be inappropriate, then I’ll cancel.
I’m with M. Roster Where does Hawaii Maui think there resources and funding come from‼️For them to have their shit atitude they have had for years about the tourist. The Americans and other Countries have kept them from doing without and providing jobs. Now the carelessness of their leaders and no preventive measures in protecting their ownhas lead to the devastating tragedy in Maui and the loss of lives. Maybe it’s time they figure it out. Have their own pull themselves up. Then they can realize what financial assistance and tourism really was bringing in‼️ Change of attitude and gratitude
Thanks but no thanks – not easy to forget “stay away, we don’t need you’” blasted all over during covid and the ridiculous restrictions and burden they put on well meaning vacationers. I swore then to spend my hard earned money/points to places where I would be appreciated and respected and never looked back.
CNN has been telling us this was the result of climate change. The last thing we should be doing is getting on a plane and spew more CO2, creating more catastrophes such as this. For the love of God. Save the planet!
My extended family & I stayed in Lahaina for a week last summer. It was magical. The house we stayed in, just off Front Street is gone. So many memories of our trip. 🙁
Even at that time, I noticed that Lahaina was dry with hardly any rain while the eastern parts of Maui was much more green with constant rain. What has happened is heartbreaking.
While it would be nice to support the locals, in reality we supporting the likes of Marriott, which is charging $1,000 a night at their Wailea property. How much of that money will stay local? And if you are wondering why rates are so high it is because the big hotel chains, ie, Marriott, are gouging taxpayers by charging FEMA workers top dollar.
On the network news this morning, please do not cancel your reservations. We need the tourists to return.
Aloha from North Kihei. I have been blessed to live on Maui for nearly 10 years and feel that I need to have my say on this. I am gainfully employed in a job that is not reliant on tourism and live in Kihei so I am very grateful not to be suffering like the folks affected by the devastating fires. However there are even more people suffering in prime tourist spots such as Kihei and Wailea as there are hardly any visitors here. Small businesses are struggling to stay open and so many folks have already been laid off. The islands economy has collapsed and jobs are more important than ever so the people can pay their bills. If visitors don’t return quickly, I dread to think about the devastation that will cause. We have enough devastation and suffering already. Surely we don’t need anymore! This is a sincere heartfelt plea fir visitors to return. Please help us to this beautiful piece of paradise to thrive again.
I read an article after the terrible tragedy on CNN that locals didn’t want tourists to come back, that tourists were the problem.
I’m not surprised that the local government are asking for tourists to come back, as I’m sure they understand the economics but the locals were vocal about their thoughts.
I would imagine that if people read the same article, they may have decided that they should go elsewhere for their vacation.
I love Maui and the Islands, but statements that were published by a major news organization along with the social backlash by others, people will choose something else.
It’s a terrible shame, I hope things can turnaround quickly for them.
For Hawaiians and Maui, it’s a double-edged sword for them. Yes, their economy depends on tourism a LOT, but it’s hard for people to understand that for the time being it will be that way for a long while and by visiting and spending those dollars now it will help a lot of people in Maui. Things may change in the future, but that change will likely be a long way off.
Gary, looks like you just can’t win with this crowd
F Hawaii, love this for them to all go unemployed. Remember when they shunned unvaccinated travelers and arrested tourists for using fake covid cards? I’ll go elsewhere lol.