08/14/2023
I thought I would share this with you. This is from a friend that owns a small business in the Kihei / Wailea area. She sent this to me because she knows we have a lot of people visiting Maui. She has between 15 and 20 employees. And she is very concerned about the image that the media is sending about Maui.
Aloha! It is probably safe to assume that you have already heard extensive news coverage related to the fire in Lahaina and Kula/Olinda in upcountry Maui. As a Maui-based small business, we are deeply rooted in our community with many staff, friends, extended family, associates, and vendors who were previously living and working in the affected areas. Our hearts go out to all our Maui "ohana" who are in shock and experiencing loss. We are all endeavoring to care for our ohana and all our island visitors with great care and love.
We would like to ask all guests to please understand that the balance of the island (Kihei-Wailea-Makena) is up and running and unaffected. Government and media messaging has created the illusion that Maui is an unsafe or unwelcoming place to visit and vacation, and that is an inaccurate and harmful portrayal of our situation here. It is NOT TRUE that all visitors must leave Maui. That is false information being spread by irresponsible sources. Only visitors currently in West Maui (Lahaina-Kaanapali-Kapalua) were encouraged to leave due to a lack of power and staffing in the resort hotels. Government entities later modified communications on this matter to identify West Maui as the area of concern specifically.
It is NOT TRUE that visitors are not welcome to Maui or may not arrive in South Maui (Kihei - Wailea-Makena). All the properties in these areas were NOT affected. We need your ongoing patronage to keep everyone employed and distribute economic benefits to the great community on a grass-roots level. We are asking all visitors to please come as scheduled and help us keep the safe and beautiful areas of our island alive with an ongoing vibrant economy. Staying away inhibits our ability to recover and keep people employed. If everyone cancels, then an economic catastrophe will ensue, which does nothing to help Maui's people.
Please come and enjoy the sun, the beaches, the palm trees, the warm breezy air, the clear blue water, and, best of all, our hospitality—no need to feel guilty or concerned. We are here for you with open arms and overflowing aloha'. Today, in the Kihei-Wailea-Makena area, the skies are sunny and clear. Most flights are coming in and out as scheduled and have space available. There is NO traffic congestion from OGG airport to the Kihei-Wailea-Makena areas. Costco, restaurants, shops, car rentals, activities, grocery stores, and various services are all open. There are no closures of consequence in the airport town of Kahului or in Kihei-Wailea-Makena.
From our 'ohana' to yours, may you be well, and we look forward to welcoming you to the land of Aloha.
