Maui Mayor Richard Bissen speeds up full tourism reopening

Oct. 24—West Maui tourism is set to fully reopen Nov. 1 after the deadly Aug. 8 wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen announced Monday.

LAHAINA—West Maui tourism is set to fully reopen Nov. 1 after the deadly Aug. 8 wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen announced Monday.

Previously, two future phases of reopening were planned after an initial phase, announced Sept. 27, began Oct. 8 in an area between Kapalua Resort and Kahana Villa farthest from Lahaina.

Bissen said a second phase from Mahinahina to Maui Kaanapali Villas along with a third phase from the Royal Lahaina Resort to the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa are being combined based on input from a community advisory committee and others including the American Red Cross as well as a "fairly good " experience with the first phase.

The new plan, Bissen said, will allow more Maui residents to return to work and won't displace people who lost their homes to the fire and have been staying at West Maui hotels under Red Cross arrangements.

"We know that there is a concern over housing for displaced and impacted families, " he said. "We are assured by the Red Cross that their housing will not be in jeopardy."

Bissen made the announcement in Lahaina at a media briefing where Hawaii's three other county mayors helped announce a program to promote events around the state that benefit Maui businesses, residents and relief efforts after seeing destroyed homes and businesses in Lahaina up close earlier in the day and meeting with some survivors.

Welcoming tourists back to more hotels in West Maui will help Maui's economy recover, though this rebound is expected to be slow.

The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism has estimated the statewide economic cost of the fire-related downturn on Maui at $11 million to $13 million a day.

According to Maui visitor data for August, arrivals plummeted nearly 58 % and spending sank by 49 %. September data has not yet been produced.

There has been some community pushback against reopening West Maui tourism before people affected by the fire can heal.

The fire killed at least 99 people and destroyed 2, 200 structures, including roughly 3, 500 homes.

One concern is that Lahaina residents who lost family members and /or property in the fire will be subjected to questions about the disaster from tourists at their workplace or elsewhere that could result in new bouts of trauma or bad reactions.

Bissen said anyone who isn't ready to return to work should seek assistance that addresses their needs. Employers in some cases have flexibility, and unemployment insurance may be available depending on the circumstances.

"This isn't for everyone, " he said.

There have been about 7, 800 fire evacuees staying in over 3, 000 hotel rooms, mostly in Kaanapali. As of Friday, 36 hotels were hosting evacuees along with a mix of federal aid workers, Hawaii National Guard members and other relief workers.

Bissen said more visitors will fill other rooms in some of the same hotels, as they have been doing in some cases during the first phase of West Maui's tourism reopening.

Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, called the new reopening phasing a good balance that recognizes needs for housing and jobs while supporting a gradual rebound in tourism.

"This will really help us going forward, " he said. "Visitors and guests will know exactly when they can travel. In our business it's all about making sure that you can book in advance."

In the initiative to support the Maui community more broadly, all four Hawaii mayors encouraged participation in what is being called "Kokua for Maui."

The endeavor, affiliated with Maui Nui First, promotes events and programs around the state that support Maui residents, businesses and the island's economy.

For instance, a Nov. 19 "Kokua for Maui " event at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu will feature Maui-based vendors selling products and promoting attractions and services. On Nov. 20 the event is to be held again in Waikiki.

"We want the people of Maui to know they are not alone, " said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.

Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said people around the state are connected and can help. "We are all Maui, " he said. "We are one state."

Derek Kawakami, mayor of Kauai, wanted Maui residents to know that the people of Kauai and Niihau have love for them and can lend support.

"Hawaii is a special place where when one island hurts, we all hurt, " he said. "When one island is mourning, we all mourn."

All three mayors visiting Maui on Monday said they had a hard time describing the magnitude of what they saw in destroyed parts of Lahaina and their personal emotional response.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who also participated in the "Kokua for Maui " announcement, said all the mayors were showing aloha and compassion that residents around the state also can contribute to those who were affected by the fire.

"What we want to do is feature Maui's people on all the islands, " she said. "Each of us knows somebody impacted. Although the islands are divided by ocean, we are one island state."

LEARN MORE—For more information, visit.