Hawaii contributor Christine Hitt met with several travel advisors who recently visited West Maui, the island hardest hit by last year's wildfires. Their discussion covered travelers' concerns about traveling to Maui, advisors' insights on their recent visits, their top tips for activities in the area, and more.
(This exchange has been edited for length and clarity and to reduce repeated topics.
Should tourists come to West Maui now?
Kristin Hitt: For people who are apprehensive about coming to West Maui because of the 2023 wildfires, what do you want them to know about traveling to that end of the island right now?
Stephanie Hewson, Plans in Paradise: 100%, please do. With regards to Maui, we have to come and help rebuild this tourism sector. As advisors, I think it's important that we can really educate our clients through our social channels that it's OK to come. It's not going to be a bad experience.
Shelby Frenette, TravelFun.Biz: Everyone that we've spoken to is not only happy that we're here, they're anxious to come back, so I think it's a really mixed message. [travelers] We want them to know that we are very welcome here. We have to help our 50th state because they have been through a lot of trauma and now tourism is their biggest part of their industry. So tourism is really essential.
Jo Wattle, Travel with Jo: I didn't know what to expect, and I was amazed when I got here. Everything is open, there are lots of activities. There's lots to do. They're welcoming, but please be respectful and don't go into the burned areas. West Maui is open, but give Lahaina some slack.
Trish Smith, Trish's Timeless Travels: Sometimes people think that I don't want to go because they're still trying to recover and heal, that I'm being pushy, but from what I've heard from locals, that couldn't be further from the truth. As I told someone yesterday, you don't have to share your trauma, you don't have to share your story with me. I'm still here to help you. Whatever you choose to share, I value it and I appreciate it. But I was here to help build you up and help you recover.
And the thing that many people who suffer from anxiety should remember is to just be mindful and think about what you're doing while traveling.
Denise Ambrusco Maida, Travel Brilliant: I know there's a lot of people on social media who are hesitant to come to not just Maui, but Hawaii in general. And I know there's some uncertainty about whether tourism has been good for Native Hawaiians in particular. So it was really important for me to speak to someone who is Native Hawaiian, not just someone who is from Hawaii. I was able to speak to someone who's been Native Hawaiian for generations, and she said she wants people to experience this place, why she loves it, and to think twice when she goes.
I found it so encouraging that Native Hawaiians wanted to share their culture with us and with the island.
Linda Tollefson, LT Travel Design: We had some clients who were concerned that hotels were housing displaced people. They didn't want to go into the hotels. [residents] They had no place to live. As I talked to people, I learned something that made me feel better: they were relocating, and the hotels really needed us.
A new approach to traveling to Maui?
Hitt: Do you think people should approach traveling to Maui or Hawaii differently than they did before?
Frenette: I don't think there's any reason. I think most tourists, at least when they come to the Kaanapali area, don't even know what really happened. There's so much to do here. … But I think tourists should be more generous. For example, supporting local. Now more than ever, any form of supporting local helps.
Wattle: It's not that different from before, but every time people travel somewhere, and this trip really woke me up. [people should] Travel with your heart, travel with compassion, travel with an eye on the people you're traveling to, and leave the place better than when you got there, instead of thinking, “What can I do? What's the latest sensation?”
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa features an 87,000-square-foot water play area. Photo by Kristin Hitt
Hewson: I don't think we need to change the way we think, we just need to be a little more adaptable, understanding and empathetic.
HIT: What kind of reaction have you seen from people visiting Maui since the fire?
Hewson: Like Hawaii in general, everyone says it's amazing, but Maui has its charm. People get excited about it. It's the quintessential bucket-list trip. If you asked me if I should go right now, I would 100% go. Donate your time, help out where you can, bring some items to donate for those who don't have anything yet, and enjoy everything else Maui has to offer. Don't be afraid to enjoy other parts of the island.
Advisor-recommended activities in West Maui
HIT: What did you enjoy most about West Maui, and Kaanapali in particular?
Hewson: Snorkeling. There's a lot of wildlife. There's a lot of hiking. There's catamarans. Yachts, food tours, wine tours, breweries. There's something for everyone and it's fun for all ages.
Tollefson: One of my favorites is the Beach Walk that runs the entire length of Kaanapali Beach. I've done it myself many times. It's a beautiful, natural experience.
Frenette: There's an endless amount of things to do. Surfing, jet skiing islands, outdoor sports, etc. There were hotels that had basketball and pickleball. There were also a few yoga facilities. The restaurants were great, which was a plus. When you come to a resort, the food is usually poor quality and you're confined so it's definitely double the price. On this trip, I was very impressed with the quality of the food.
Wattle: I'm a wildlife lover and I got to go on a behind the scenes tour of the animals at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. It was heavenly! You get to make leis and learn about the flora and fauna. Taking the time to do that makes me more interested in touring in an eco-friendly, environmentally friendly and local friendly way.
