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31 August, 2023

OPINION: Though devastated by wildfires, Maui needs conscious travellers

Male backpacker hiking down pathway through tall bamboo forest in late afternoon in Hawaii.

In this opinion piece, Christina Peterson reflects on her experience in Maui and asks that travellers who visit the tourism-reliant island do so respectfully. Read on below!

This past April, I was lucky enough to travel to the Hawaiian Island of Maui and experience a journey of unparalleled wonder, top-class hospitality, and unforgettable adventure.

From the crimson sunset at Haleakalā’s volcanic summit, hidden red sand beaches, the lush and winding ‘Road to Hana’, and the cerulean shores of Lahaina, Maui’s majestic landscapes are the perfect fusion of vibrant culture and the kindness of its people.

It’s this level of luxurious holiday that brings thousands of travellers flocking to this spot of sanctuary. But Maui is not in the state it was when I visited in April.

At the start of August, Western Maui was ravaged by wildfires, leaving devastation and tragedy in its wake. NBC reported over 115 dead, 850 missing, and thousands of homes destroyed, leaving the people of Maui to grieve and rebuild.

Maui on fire (Creative Commons)

Immediately after the fires hit, many were skeptical of tourists visiting Maui.

Jason Mamoa, actor and Hawaiian native says, “Maui is not the place to have your vacation right now. Do not convince yourself that your presence is needed on an island that is suffering this deeply.”

It’s important for tourists to understand that now is not the time to holiday in Western Maui but rather find ways to support this island via conscious tourism.

Tourism generates 80 per cent of Maui’s wealth, bringing in approximately $5.7b (AU$8.81b) per year and Mamoa’s opinion is no longer a given for those on the island.

Hawai’i’s governor Josh Green has called for the return of travellers to Maui, but not the west side just yet.

“All the other areas of Maui, and the rest of Hawai’i, they’re safe, they’re open and they’re available,” Green said last week.

“The mystique and love here, the aloha, is here for you, and the reason I say that is because when you come you will support our local economy and help speed the recovery of the people that are suffering right now.”

What Maui needs is conscious travellers who value the Hawaiian concept of mālama. Mālama literally means to take care of, tend, attend, care for, preserve and protect.

Karishma Chowfin, the director of sales at O’ahu Visitors Bureau, told Travel Weekly that “(Mālama) is about connecting the dots for the travel advisor to the destination to the consumer to perpetuate that (concept of) mindful travel (and) leaving the place better than when you arrived.”

For some, this means engaging with voluntourism experiences and programs across the archipelago. For others, it means practicing regenerative tourism – leaving your destination in a better condition than you left it in.

Woman exploring bamboo forest while hiking Pipiwai trail in Haleakala National park.

This could be as simple as replanting trees after visiting an area. Chowfin also told Travel Weekly that a visitor experience that champions mālama could mean crafting your holiday to enhance the residents’ quality of life.

So as Maui embarks on a long road to recovery, I can’t help but reminisce on the warmth and resilience of the locals. They welcomed me into their rich culture and traditions, showcasing their deep-rooted respect and connection with nature. I was fortunate enough to experience a diving trip where the ship’s crew led us through a traditional Hawaiian song, thanking the ocean for its gifts and exemplifying their ancient love for the sea. I experienced this Mālama first hand and I ask that tourists give it back.

Tourism is an integral part of rebuilding Maui’s economy. But what it needs is respectful travellers who are mindful of the island’s rebuild.

If a trip to Hawaii isn’t on the cards for you or your clients, then please consider donating to organizations like the below:

The Maui Strong Fund

Maui Love Fund

Advertise with us

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Malama Maui