Monday, August 28, 2023
Although the disastrous wildfires that tore through the Hawaiian island of Maui were a devastating blow to the island’s tourism economy, locals and business leaders anticipate more tourists will return as the island begins the difficult process of rehabilitation.
The flames, which broke out on August 8 and have killed at least 115 people, are the worst in the country in over a century and the biggest natural disaster to ever strike Hawaii.Much of Lahaina, a renowned tourist destination on the island of Maui and formerly the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, has been burnt by the fire.On Thursday, authorities published a list of the 388 persons who were still missing.Since the disaster, there has been a significant decrease in tourists to the island.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, officials in Hawaii have warned tourists to stay away from visiting Maui since many hotel rooms have been reserved to shelter hundreds of evacuated residents and emergency personnel.
Less than 50% of seats have been filled on the majority of incoming aircraft.
Prior to August 8, the state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism claimed that there were 6,000–7,500 domestic arrivals each day on the second-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago.
According to the data, the number decreased to as little as 1,567 on August 12 and recently, daily domestic arrivals have been averaging around 2,000.
A front desk employee told Xinhua that occupancy at a five-star hotel in South Maui had dropped dramatically as a result of the fire.Following the catastrophe, car rental requests at Maui’s airport significantly fell as well.
According to a SIXT vehicle rental staffer at the Maui airport, before the fires, this facility used to get approximately 150 car rentals per day; currently, it only sees about 30.According to her, several automobile reservations were canceled due to tourists changing their plans or canceling their travels altogether.
The economic engine of Maui is the tourism sector. 80% of the island’s wealth is attributed to it, according to the Maui Economic Development Board.Many of the neighborhood eateries, cafés, bars, and businesses have cut back on operating hours and personnel shifts as a result of the wildfires’ dramatic decline in tourists.
On the Hawaiian island of Maui, a national park called Haleakala National Park is famous for its breathtaking sunrises, sunsets, lovely hiking routes, and gorgeous views.A U.S. National site Service employee at Haleakala National Park, David Yates, told Xinhua that the site used to draw 700 to 800 automobiles each day and thousands of people.
Haleakala National Park has been closed since the terrible flames for a period of two weeks. All backcountry tent camping and cabin bookings have been canceled through August 25.Personnel shortages were the cause of the park closures and cancellations of camping reservations.
According to Yates, several Haleakala National Park staff worked as first responders at donation centers and shelters for people fleeing wildfires.
A large number of Maui’s historical treasures and cultural places were also destroyed by the flames.
“We’ve lost four museums,” said Kimberly Flook, deputy executive director of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, out of at least 14 museums and sites the group oversees. “If you’re into environmentalism, if you’re into surfing, if you’re into history, something was lost in all those ways.”
Hawaii Governor Josh Green earlier this week reiterated the necessity to stay away from West Maui at this time, as well as the significance of visiting the rest of Maui and other Hawaiian islands and the economic impact it has on Maui’s recovery and well-being.
Tags: hawaii, Maui island, Tourism, wildfires
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