West Maui Reopens to Visitors Starting Nov. 1

Starting on Nov. 1, all of West Maui—except for historic Lahaina—will reopen to tourism, according to Maui Mayor Richard Bissen.

This speeds up the city’s initial plan of reopening the area in phases, which began on Oct. 6, two months after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than century ravaged Lahaina and killed at least 99 people.

Bissen said he made the move after discussions with his Lahaina advisory team, the Red Cross and other partners. Housing for displaced wildfire survivors will not be affected.

Courtesy of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority

West Maui has about 11,000 hotel rooms—half of the total rooms on the entire island—and this area has long been popular with visitors to the Valley Isle. The return of visitors will kickstart an economy still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and now the August 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.”

If you’re planning to travel to West Maui, here’s what you should do:

• Check with individual accommodations, activities and businesses in West Maui to see if they’re open and what are their hours of operations.
• The rest of Maui—which includes Hāna, Wailea, Wailuku and Upcountry Maui—are open. Consider staying in a hotel or B&B in these areas.
• Support local businesses. When you’re planning on where to eat, grab coffee or buy souvenirs, patronize a shop or eatery that’s locally owned.
• Consider volunteering or donating to an organization that’s helping Maui victims, including the Maui Food Bank, Maui Humane Society or to the Maui Strong Fund.
• Be kind, show empathy and be patient. Businesses have had to cut hours and staff. Service might be slower than you remember—or would like. But the island and its people have been recovering from a devastating loss. Show kindness.

For travel updates to Maui, visit here.