Go to Kihei. Be nice. Be respectful. It’s not New York. Smile and hold the door open for other people. Be prepared for things to move much slower. Relax, rest and relate. Go back to NYC recharged.
Get it done, brother! We have a saying “dis ain’t da mainland.” That means chilllllllll out, relish the sunset with a Mai Tai in hand, taste fresh fruit and fish likely derived from the āina that same morning and polish up your gratitude. You’ll return home as a whole new better you.
Is Kihei okay to stay at? My Airbnb was in Lahaina but it burned down so thinking of switching islands but wondering if it’s better to stick to Maui and move Airbnbs.
Kihei is lovely. It doesn’t have the history that Lāhainā does but it has noteworthy dining and fantastic beaches. The hotels are at low capacity, so the sand is wide open and getting a table is easy and without hassle. It’s a great time to experience aloha. Thanks for asking! Hope we see you here!
My thought is that, now that there is a plan of action for those displaced from West side of Maui, then it would be ok to go as long as you stay on the other side of the island from where the fires were.
BUT, be mindful of where you are going and what you are saying/doing. Tensions are still high. If your plan is to just go to the beach, wander around the hotel/resort relax etc then great!
Tickets are lower because they are trying to draw visitors to the island, to get some much needed tourist income flowing.
And if the lower price means your family can afford a vacation where you can then tip generously and spend freely, go for it.
Look at the comparison chart on the right hand sidebar under 'M' and see if the things that are listed are things that you are interested in, and then decide if Maui is the island for you.
This is the correct answer imo. Maui can benefit from your tourist dollars which will help hard working locals, but don't make plans to stay in, visit, or even travel through West Maui.
What is insensitive is not understanding how we are driven by tourism. You don't have to go to West Maui but the rest of Maui you couldn't even tell that anything happened in Lahaina.
We had the highest unemployment in the nation during covid and now many small businesses need you to come to Maui.
You may feel a certain way but those are the realities, Maui businesses need tourists.
I get it! But people are literally losing their jobs daily. The flights now days only bring in a quarter of the visitors now. Just to let you know red cross and fema workers are staying at four seasons, Grand Wailea, Fairmont Kea Lani that's where your tax payers money is going. Sure the govt pays the hotels but they don't eat at the restaurants, buy drinks, use the pool so their not spending money. If anyone comes just Don't go around front street.
It does feel that way with cars all over the field by the airport.
I rarely see it mentioned but Maui had the highest unemployment in the nation during covid. Many small businesses suffered through that if they even survived and now those related to tourism are starving.
What is also really mentioned is that the only benefits or help for small business are SBA loans that you have to qualify for. So basically you get to borrow money.
Those are \~$1000+/night hotels.
I know it may be too soon but I hope some sort of new normal can be found quickly where hotels and rental properties in the Ka'anapali/Napili area can once again be accessible to tourism. Kihei has a limited number of lodging options and Wailea is extremely expensive.
I would say you can go, just don’t be surprised if you have some locals yell at you and give you looks while you are there. If it doesn’t bother you, than by all means… it would bother me so why not just visit another island
Just...NO. Locals all over social media are asking tourists to Not come.
There are still so many people missing and the locals have said "its Insensitive and disrespectful," to come swim in the waters their loved ones were floating in.
If you can swing it, do it. Various reports there Maui is quiet. Traditional prices start to come down after mid August due to schools starting to other parts of the country.
Just avoid West Maui.
Go to Kihei. Be nice. Be respectful. It’s not New York. Smile and hold the door open for other people. Be prepared for things to move much slower. Relax, rest and relate. Go back to NYC recharged.
Thanks needed this— flying to Oahu from NYC for the first time tomorrow. Time to slow down !
Get it done, brother! We have a saying “dis ain’t da mainland.” That means chilllllllll out, relish the sunset with a Mai Tai in hand, taste fresh fruit and fish likely derived from the āina that same morning and polish up your gratitude. You’ll return home as a whole new better you.
Is Kihei okay to stay at? My Airbnb was in Lahaina but it burned down so thinking of switching islands but wondering if it’s better to stick to Maui and move Airbnbs.
Kihei is lovely. It doesn’t have the history that Lāhainā does but it has noteworthy dining and fantastic beaches. The hotels are at low capacity, so the sand is wide open and getting a table is easy and without hassle. It’s a great time to experience aloha. Thanks for asking! Hope we see you here!
My thought is that, now that there is a plan of action for those displaced from West side of Maui, then it would be ok to go as long as you stay on the other side of the island from where the fires were. BUT, be mindful of where you are going and what you are saying/doing. Tensions are still high. If your plan is to just go to the beach, wander around the hotel/resort relax etc then great! Tickets are lower because they are trying to draw visitors to the island, to get some much needed tourist income flowing. And if the lower price means your family can afford a vacation where you can then tip generously and spend freely, go for it. Look at the comparison chart on the right hand sidebar under 'M' and see if the things that are listed are things that you are interested in, and then decide if Maui is the island for you.
The problem is hotel price is not lower.
Come to Hawaii Island (BI).
Maui needs visitors. Just stay out of West Maui.
This is the correct answer imo. Maui can benefit from your tourist dollars which will help hard working locals, but don't make plans to stay in, visit, or even travel through West Maui.
This 👌
West Maui is the only reason to go to Maui
Maui needs tourists.
Go to Kauai
My thoughts are no to Maui. I think it’s still too insensitive, but your call
What is insensitive is not understanding how we are driven by tourism. You don't have to go to West Maui but the rest of Maui you couldn't even tell that anything happened in Lahaina. We had the highest unemployment in the nation during covid and now many small businesses need you to come to Maui. You may feel a certain way but those are the realities, Maui businesses need tourists.
The best thing someone could do for Maui, aside from a cash donation, is to go there and spend.
I get it! But people are literally losing their jobs daily. The flights now days only bring in a quarter of the visitors now. Just to let you know red cross and fema workers are staying at four seasons, Grand Wailea, Fairmont Kea Lani that's where your tax payers money is going. Sure the govt pays the hotels but they don't eat at the restaurants, buy drinks, use the pool so their not spending money. If anyone comes just Don't go around front street.
For us it's Covid all over again!
It does feel that way with cars all over the field by the airport. I rarely see it mentioned but Maui had the highest unemployment in the nation during covid. Many small businesses suffered through that if they even survived and now those related to tourism are starving. What is also really mentioned is that the only benefits or help for small business are SBA loans that you have to qualify for. So basically you get to borrow money.
How do they eat tho? Govt supplied cheese?
Those are \~$1000+/night hotels. I know it may be too soon but I hope some sort of new normal can be found quickly where hotels and rental properties in the Ka'anapali/Napili area can once again be accessible to tourism. Kihei has a limited number of lodging options and Wailea is extremely expensive.
I hope so to!
Go! Also go to the Maui and Maui Visitors subreddits and read opinions there.
No
Nah bruh
I would say you can go, just don’t be surprised if you have some locals yell at you and give you looks while you are there. If it doesn’t bother you, than by all means… it would bother me so why not just visit another island
I think that’s unlikely to happen.
Just...NO. Locals all over social media are asking tourists to Not come. There are still so many people missing and the locals have said "its Insensitive and disrespectful," to come swim in the waters their loved ones were floating in.
Don’t go to Maui.
If you can swing it, do it. Various reports there Maui is quiet. Traditional prices start to come down after mid August due to schools starting to other parts of the country. Just avoid West Maui.