A company that organized a charity snorkeling tour near fire-ravaged Lahaina has issued an apology. The sight of tourists enjoying Maui’s tropical beaches while search-and-rescue teams continue their efforts to locate victims amidst building ruins has upset some residents.
Last week, Maui witnessed the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century, resulting in a death toll currently at 106 but expected to rise. Over 2,000 buildings were destroyed by the fires, which were exacerbated by strong winds.
While investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fires, a debate has emerged regarding whether tourism should continue while the affected community attempts to recover.
Maui residents have expressed their frustration on social media, sharing videos of tourists engaging in holiday activities like snorkeling while the death toll in Lahaina continues to climb.
“Our community needs time to heal, grieve, and restore,” stated Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa on Instagram, urging tourists to cancel their trips.
While authorities and businesses have welcomed the gradual return of travelers, arguing that it will help mitigate the economic impact on the island, which heavily relies on tourism, the situation presents a delicate balance.
As Maui embarks on a lengthy and painful recovery from the fires, officials face the challenge of balancing residents’ immediate needs for housing and resources with the island’s long-term financial stability.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green recalled how the COVID-19 pandemic forced the state to weigh the risks of allowing tourists in during a public health crisis against the harm Hawaii’s economy would suffer from barring them.
Tourism has declined in the week following the wildfire in Lahaina, a popular vacation destination that also housed historic sites significant to Hawaiian residents.
The number of airline passengers to Maui on Sunday decreased by nearly 81% compared to the same time last year, according to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
In 2022, 2.9 million tourists visited Maui, which has a year-round population of 165,000. The state tourism department reported that visitors spent $5.69 billion on Maui in 2022.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority is urging visitors to avoid all non-essential travel to West Maui, the area affected by the fires, to prioritize resources for local recovery efforts.
Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings, with many accommodating their employees and preparing to house evacuees and first responders involved in disaster recovery.
The Four Seasons Resort at Wailea Beach in South Maui, for example, has reported a significant drop in occupancy since the fire and is encouraging tourists with August reservations to postpone their trips until the island has recovered further.
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, with 23 hotels throughout Hawaii, has waived cancellation penalties for travelers to, from, or through all Hawaiian islands until August 31.
Tour operators who continued to offer services in or around West Maui after the fires faced criticism. One company that organized a charity snorkeling tour later issued an apology and suspended its operations for the time being.
