(Honolulu) All of West Maui, except burned sections of historic Lahaina, will reopen to tourists on April 1er November, following the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century, the mayor of Maui County announced Monday.
Mayor Richard Bissen said he made the decision after discussing it with his Lahaina advisory team, the Red Cross and other partners.
West Maui has about 11,000 hotel rooms, about half of those on the Hawaiian archipelago island. Travelers evacuated these hotels after the Aug. 8 fire raged through the town of Lahaina, killing at least 99 people and destroying more than 2,000 buildings.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said last month that West Maui would officially reopen to tourism on Oct. 8 to bring back much-needed jobs and help the economy recover. Mr. Bissen amended the governor’s statement with a phased plan, allowing a small section on the northern edge of West Maui to open first, with the remainder to follow at an undetermined date.
The community had a heated debate over when to welcome travelers to the disaster area. Some residents wrote a petition opposing the return of tourists, saying the community was not ready.
Mr. Bissen said Monday that workers were ready to return to their jobs while acknowledging that “it’s not for everyone.”
Those who are not ready to return to work on the 1ster November should talk to their employers and “continue to seek the help and attention they need,” Bissen said during a news conference in Lahaina, broadcast online.
The mayor said many residents are also concerned about not having child care for their children. He said county partners are working on this issue.
Residents who were staying in West Maui hotels and other short-term lodging after losing their homes in the fire will not lose their homes, the mayor said.
“The Red Cross assures us that their housing will not be threatened,” said Mr. Bissen.
The mayor said the reopening schedule was voluntary and some properties had already reopened on their own.