Maui County, Hawaii is set to reopen to tourism on November 1st, following the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. The August 8th fire caused extensive damage and destruction, resulting in the evacuation of travelers and the suspension of tourism. Mayor Richard Bissen has announced a phased plan to reopen West Maui, which will bring back jobs and help the local economy recover. He is hopeful that the reopening will be the first step in the recovery process and that the area will be able to rebuild and become a vibrant destination once again.
Posts tagged as “West Maui”
Maui County has reported 19 structures destroyed in the wildfires that broke out last Tuesday, with 93 people dead and others still missing. Richy Palalay, a lifelong resident of Lahaina, is concerned that the influx of second-home buyers and wealthy transplants is displacing local-born residents who can no longer afford to live in their homeland. The county is offering assistance to those who have lost their homes, as well as working with the state and Red Cross to provide food, water, and other supplies to those affected.
Maui was hit by a series of wildfires on Tuesday night caused by strong winds from Hurricane Dora, resulting in multiple structures being burned, evacuations, and power outages. In Lahaina, the situation was particularly dire, with people jumping into the harbor to escape the flames. The Coast Guard has rescued a dozen people and rescue operations are ongoing, while firefighters battle multiple blazes concentrated in two areas.