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.
With advances in transportation, it's become easier than ever to visit nearly any point in the world that you might imagine. That's the good news; what complicates the matter is the challenge of visiting a new destination ethically, in a way that is respectful of local residents, the ecosystem and the history of the region. It's an ethos that's taken root in Hawaii, where a system of regenerative tourism is now in place.
Alfred Dasugo, 84, says he's tired of waiting for help. A Filipino immigrant, Dasugo has called Lahaina home for more than a half century. As a young musician, he performed at the Royal Lahaina Resort with famed ukulele player Nelson Waikiki. Later, he spent 25 years working for Maui county parks and recreation, coaching volleyball and basketball to generations of youths.