08/21/2023
Map and content courtesy of Mike Neubauer Fine Art Photography:
1) Lahaina town is closed. That is true, it was absolutely decimated and it is heartbreaking beyond words. But the rest of the island is not destroyed. It is beautiful, sunny and un-impacted. Despite what CNN or FOX is showing, it is anything but world war III over here.
2) There are a LOT of volunteer organizations and non-profits here right now. Donation centers are full. Everyone is giving, and it's awesome to see! Many of the displaced are now in hotels. Some shelters will be closing soon as the Red Cross has helped move many families into hotels.
4) There are about 2,000 people who lost their homes and businesses. There are over 20,000 hotel rooms and Airbnbs. Hotels are being reimbursed by FEMA for putting up displaced families. Airbnbs are not.
5) The rest of the island was nearly all spared. The Lahaina fire destroyed 3.5 sq. miles. The other 731.5 square miles are wide open.
6) Kihei, Wailea, Kapalua, Kaanapali, Napili, Kahana, Haiku, Paia, Makawao, Hana, etc. are all wide open.
7) And please try to understand this: Without tourism, our economy collapses. The vast majority of our island is made up of small businesses. Nearly all of our island is reliant upon tourism. Uber drivers, restaurant workers, tour operators, retail shops and hotel workers are out of jobs because there is no tourism. If this continues the number of unemployed and homeless grows exponentially. At a time when locals are trying to get back on their feet and find jobs, jobs are going away. Why? Because tourism stopped. When it doesn't need to. The island is still beautiful, warm water and golden sand beaches are everywhere. Rainforests and waterfalls are still where they were.
8 ) Lahaina town is closed. Stay out of Lahaina. Be kind. Be considerate and spread aloha. But, please we do need the tourism or the stability of the island will fall into even more chaos. One of the best things you can do right now is to visit Maui.
9) If you want to get involved, there are a number of non profit agencies where you can volunteer and get a true sense of the meaning of Aloha. But please, stop telling people NOT to come to Maui. That's only making the situation on the ground worse.
Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and understanding.
