Update – Travel Advisory for West Maui October 8

Update – Travel Advisory for West Maui Lifted October 8

Governor Josh Green has announced that West Maui communities, including Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai, and Kapalua, will fully reopen on October 8th, two months after the wildfires that destroyed Lahaina on August 8th. Hawai‘i residents and visitors are encouraged to make travel plans to Maui and support local businesses, restaurants, retail outlets, attractions, and accommodations.

All travel restrictions to West Maui communities will be lifted on October 8th. However, Lahaina itself will remain closed to the public until further notice due to ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts. The decision to reopen is aimed at bringing hope for economic recovery to the affected families and businesses in Maui. The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority emphasized the importance of supporting Maui’s recovery by booking trips, making restaurant reservations, and shopping at local stores and attractions. Copy of Hawai‘i Tourism Authority press release below.

HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., today declared in a statewide address that the West Maui communities of Kā‘anapali, Nāpili, Honokōwai, and Kapalua will fully reopen on Sunday, October 8, two months after the August 8 wildfires that destroyed Lahaina.

Hawai‘i residents and visitors are encouraged to make travel plans to Maui and support the island’s businesses, restaurants, retail outlets, attractions, and accommodations. All previous restrictions for travel to West Maui communities north of Lahaina will be lifted October 8 and no one should be discouraged or reluctant to go and support the businesses and workers that rely on tourism in West Maui for their families’ livelihood.

Governor Green stated, “Beginning October 8, all travel restrictions will end and West Maui will be open to visitors again, so people from Hawaiʻi and around the world can resume travel to this special place and help it begin to recover economically. This difficult decision is meant to bring hope for recovery to the families and businesses on Maui that have been so deeply affected in every way by the disaster.”

Lahaina itself will remain fully closed to the public until further notice out of respect to the town’s residents. County, state, and federal emergency responders continue with efforts to identify victims and the missing, and conduct clean-up efforts of debris and hazardous materials resulting from the wildfires.

“No one in Hawai‘i will ever forget the tragedy that our friends, families, loved ones, and colleagues in Lahaina are enduring,” said Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i, Chief Administrative Officer of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. “The response from residents statewide and by people around the world to support Maui’s recovery has been incredible and inspiring. Now is the time for people everywhere to show their support for Maui by booking trips, making restaurant reservations, and frequenting Maui’s retail stores and attractions that support workers and their families.” 

While West Maui and Lahaina are currently closed the rest of Maui is OPEN and needs the support of visitors to survive.