How to Visit Maui Responsibly After the Devastating 2023 Wildfires

"Maui's dreamy landscape turned into a nightmare on Aug. 8, 2023. What began as a brush fire, fueled by dangerous winds, quickly engulfed the historic town of Lahaina and damaged other parts of the island. The deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than a century claimed 102 lives, destroyed more than 2,200 structures, and caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage."

""The Maui community remains deeply focused on healing, restoration, and rebuilding," Sherry Duong, the executive director of Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau, told Travel + Leisure. Cleanup milestones have been completed, and in the hardest hit area of Lahaina, "recovery is moving through a thoughtful, community-led process that honors cultural heritage and generational ties to the land." Across the island, progress is visible. Storefronts are slowly reopening, families are returning to work, and community events are filling the calendar once again."

"Since the fires, visitation has increased 11 percent and spending is up nearly 20 percent year over year. Still, with 85 percent of jobs tied to tourism, every visit matters in helping Maui regain long-term stability."

On Aug. 8, 2023, a brush fire driven by dangerous winds rapidly engulfed Lahaina and other parts of Maui, killing 102 people, destroying over 2,200 structures, and causing roughly $5.5 billion in damage. Cleanup milestones have been completed, and recovery in the hardest-hit areas is progressing through community-led processes that honor cultural heritage and generational ties to the land. Storefronts are reopening, families are returning to work, and community events are resuming. Visitor returns directly support local families, small businesses, and cultural programs; visitation is up 11 percent and spending nearly 20 percent year over year.

Read at Travel + Leisure