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September 21st
It has been a few weeks since I have shared any news from Maui in aftermath of the August 8th wildfire disaster. Since then, there has been a lot of excellent journalism about the situation here from better reporters than me. I’ve been leaving the reporting to the professionals and focusing on providing fresh-roasted coffee to our clients and customers.
Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of emails from folks looking for a Maui-based viewpoint on the upcoming reopening of West Maui to tourism. I’ve had the opportunity to speak to a lot people here who are directly affected and I’ll share some takeaways from these discussions. Hopefully, it’s of interest and helpful for people who are planning their next Maui visit.
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There is a broad consensus on Maui right now that visitors are welcome and that the Island needs the business. Most Mauians agree that a lot of the ‘Maui is closed’ messaging that proliferated in the first few days after the disaster was misguided. Many of us have pushed back against that misguided messaging, but it has been hard to un-ring that bell.
There is also the indisputable fact that Lahaina is and should be off-limits to everyone except residents and relief workers. Even today, over six weeks after the fire, some residents still haven’t been able to safely visit their burned homes. The magnitude of the catastrophe is still so staggering, the pain so fresh, that there is no appropriate role for casual visitors in the disaster area.
In between these two black-and-white realities is a gray area… namely, what is the appropriate role for tourism in resort areas close to Lahaina? The West Maui towns of Ka’anapali, Honokowai, Kahana, Napili, Kapalua… these towns were closed to the tourism industry in the aftermath of the fires. Is it ok to travel to these places for vacation now? I don’t have all the answers, but I do have some insight into the discussions that are occurring here on the Island.
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Starting October 8th, West Maui (but not Lahaina) is scheduled to be declared ‘open for tourism’ by the Hawaii Governor and the Maui County government. This is controversial within the Lahaina community.
Those who object to this decision feel that it is too soon. Families are still struggling with displacement and many are still relying on resort hotels for temporary housing. No one wants families to be displaced again to make room for vacationers. Families are also struggling because school-age kids have no school to go to. Resuming tourism-focused business before kids go back to school puts working parents in a bind… and it just feels wrong. With October 8th being exactly two months after the fire, many feel that day would be better as a day of memorial and reflection – November 9th has been floated as a more appropriate day to return to business.
On the other hand, supporters of reopening worry that waiting any longer will only increase the financial hardship people are experiencing. Every day that goes by is pushing more West Side businesses to the brink of closing altogether. Many residents have been working non-stop for the relief effort and are keen to transition to working for pay before their own funds run out. There will never be a perfect time to reopen, but a working economy will only help the ongoing recovery effort.
It’s a complex, nuanced and fluid situation. There is no one right solution, but it seems clear tourism is returning to West Maui and there will be both benefits and challenges.
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The solidarity that the community has shown in the wake of this disaster cannot be overstated. It has been a striking bright spot in these dark times. We know that there will be many disputes and disagreements as the recovery progresses, but the fundamental unity of the people here is heartening. There are a range of opinions about reopening West Maui… and there will be many more controversies in the years to come. If the Lahaina community – and the greater Maui community – can keep approaching these issues with the genuine care that we’ve seen so far, the recovery effort will be one that we can all be proud of.
Yours in coffee,
-Jordan at TCS
Rose Rambles... 