So you are wondering about taking a vacation on Maui … should you or not? Here are some of my thoughts about things to know when visiting Maui in 2024. Feel free to add your thoughts in the comment section. These “reminders” are in addition to the basic things visitors need to know, such as “use reef-safe sunscreen, donʻt touch the turtles, and many more, which I previously shared in my book Maui 2021 and Beyond.
Maui is in the process of healing and recovery from the August 8, 2023 Lahaina Wildfire.
What does this mean? Many problems related to the fire need to be addressed and solved. As of this writing (and recording), there are still about 6,000 people living in hotels impacted by the fire. Housing is just one of the many problems. I am sharing this not to discourage you from visiting Maui … I just want you to be aware so that you have a better understanding of why sometimes you see people airing out frustrations on social media and some are telling potential visitors not to come. This leads us to my second point …
Maui needs “respectful visitors” to come visit Maui.
A big part of Mauiʻs economy is tourism, and for us to help the small local businesses struggling right now, we need more visitors to come. But not just regular visitors – we need “respectful” visitors to come. Interestingly, I read a thought in this article that made me ponder this “visit respectfully” quote. In the article at the Beat of Hawaii it says:
Maui walks a fine line between necessary tourism, long-suffering fire victims, overall housing shortages and irate anti-tourism advocates.
Using cloaked and potentially offensive terms, HTA says it only wants to attract “respectful” tourists to Maui. This comes as an element of their outreach campaign to both US and Canadian visitors. Canadian visitors typically make up just under 10% of Maui’s visitors and spend just under $1 billion annually. Meanwhile, massive US tourism has an annual estimated value of $16 billion.
“Maui is welcoming visitors who are compassionate, who can come respectfully, who can really abide by some of the sensitivities and restrictions in place to protect the community at this time… So long as you do it mindfully. And so, for the time being, tourism’s role in helping Maui’s overall recovery is to ensure that the right kind of respectful visitor returns.” – Ilihia Gionson, Hawaii Tourism Authority public information officer
We find the messaging strange and potentially offensive as, for many people, coming to Maui is to vacation in paradise and simply a step away from everyday life. It involves a long flight, expensive accommodations, and airfare. The money they spend contributes to the Maui economy to keep it strong, help locals have employment and provide social welfare benefits to many in need. When visitors are asked to change or confirm their vacation habits because of “sensitivities and restrictions,” this could backfire and send tourists elsewhere.
While HTA still does want to promote tourism, putting seemingly meaningless restrictions in these terms on which visitors it wants could simply turn people away. Visitors might also get the idea, based on this kind of messaging once again, that Maui isn’t really ready for visitors at this time. And that there is simply more that needs to be done before people can have the kind of vacation that they are used to having on Maui.
In my opinion, if a potential visitor gets offended by the message about “being respectful”, then they really should not come here. I understand this “call” will limit the visitors, but it is what it is – Maui is in a stage of healing and recovery and we canʻt accommodate “entitled” visitors for the sake of economy. But really, most of the visitors I talked to do not complain about having to be respectful. It is natural to them, and so they get to enjoy the beauty and resources of Maui as they respect the people of Maui.
Consider the source when researching about visiting Maui in 2024.
With the information overload on the internet, and the rise of social media, it is becoming hard to see a balanced view of things here on Maui, what the real situation is, and what is current and relevant. The information is overwhelming. On one hand you will hear a plea for you not to come to Maui, on the other hand you will hear a plea for you to come to Maui.
Interestingly, those who avoid internet news and social media and decide to get their information the traditional way, like travel books, are not exempted from getting the wrong information.
Because I am writing a book about visiting Maui in 2024, I always check out the available books out there in the bookstore. Sadly, with the rise of AI use, there is an increased amount of Maui Travel Guide Books written by AI. There is a newly published book that mentioned “Visiting Front Street Lahaina” as part of Things To Do on Maui in 2024! (click the link and see the sample pages page 9, item 7) Say what????
And the famous Maui Revealed guide hasnʻt released an updated version of their guidebook. The popular book is now irrelevant.
Anyway, back to my point of making sure the information source is reliable when planning your visit to Maui, my personal recommendation is following MauiInformation Guide, All About Maui, and Hawaii Vacation Guide Youtube Channel.
I am sure I will be coming back with more reflections on this.
My husband and I are traveling to Maui for a work trip next month. I would like to ask what things we should do off resort property. Are there locally owned shops and restaurants we can visit to support local economy? Are there certain areas of the island we should plan to visit and those to stay away from?
Aloha Heather, I apologize for the delayed reply. I will send you an advance PDF copy of the Maui Travel Guide book that I am writing. It is still in draft but you will find it helpful. I will also send you some quick tips along with it. Mahalo for commenting. Aloha, Liza
Would you be willing to send me a copy as well? I plan to visit end of April.
I would love a guide also. How much? We arrive March 9 for two weeks
we don’t need you to tell the world, how they are supposed to be, when they come to Maui.
I would love a copy, too. I will be visiting Maui in May.
I am happy to see how the residents of Maui have managed to get through this awful, tragic firestorm that caused the loss of so many lives. I lost my home to explosion and fire in January, 2022 and am still in recovery mode over two years later. We were home at the time of the explosion, caused by a gas leak, and the house burned so quickly that we barely got out. We lost most of our pets and my partner died abut six months later. I live in a vacation area of the NorthGeorgia mountains, and when I see some of the locals’ behavior, it bothers me but I try to help maintain a welcoming, warm environment for tourists. The fire I went through was an isolated incident, and it has taken a long time to feel somewhat normal again. For those of you who want to visit Maui, I would suggest that the best, most helpful thing you could do is just to pay attention to your surroundings. Make the best d eye contact, smile, hold a door open and let someone go ahead of you at the grocery store. If someone bites your head off, just understand that their insurance company might be giving them the runaround, a contractor might have taken their money and not finished their job, or they might’ve lost friends and family in the fire. These folks aren’t even in their proverbial bodies right now, and I would ask you to please, please give them the benefit of the doubt. Just know that being there as a tourist is a big vote of your confidence in the strength and determination of the residents of Maui to rebuild and thrive.
May we have an advanced copy as well? We’re going to be there April 5th-19th. Also, can you recommend any volunteer activities we can participate in while we’re there?
I would love a xopy also Visting ub Oct
My daughter and I are visiting in April and would love to have a guide as well.
Hello! My husband and I will be in Maui for just 2 days before leaving for Kauai for a work trip. I would love to read your PDF of your book. Would you be so kind to share?
Dear Liza,
Thank you very much for your blog and your recommendations for visiting Maui. I would be interested to have an advanced PDF copy of your guide if possible. I will go to visit Maui this month, in April 2024. Thank you. Sincerely, Marion
As someone who travels frequently to Maui (four times last year) and Oahu (once a year) I find that local residents are friendly and courteous to me. Being pono in all I do while in Hawaii is the best way to be a mindful visitor. Served in the Army on Oahu (Schofield Barracks) 1976-79 and learned then about Island culture and norms. Don’t take Pele’s hair from volcanoes or black sand beaches, no bananas on a fishing boat, don’t carry pork over the pali, etc. Even taking your slippahs off when entering someone’s home. Common courtesy and decency should come naturally. You know, the Golden Rule, treat people as you’d like to be treated.
Much aloha to you, Liza. Love your site and blog. See you next month on Maui.
Mahalo Tom; You are a good example of a respectful and mindful Maui visitor. And yes, remembering and putting the “Golden Rule” into action is the way to go. See you soon! Aloha, Liza
I’ve stayed in Kihei, south of Lahaina, for 25+years and enjoy a more local atmosphere. Gorgeous beaches.
On the way there from airport you will see Maalaea Harbor. You can get am or pm whale watch cruises. So awesome.
This is my first, and last trip to Maui. We are on a cruise which stops at the islands. We’ve never been on such an expensive and extensive trip in our lives. We didn’t expect the locals to outright hate us so much or I would’ve gone somewhere else. I don’t want to insinuate myself somewhere where I’m not wanted! (Maybe just a heads up for others). Merely standing in line for a rental car drew the wrath of a local who barreled in and referred to us in a term I found out later was a derogatory term for tourists. He was upset about a long wait for a rental paid for by insurance. I would’ve felt for the man if he hadn’t come in, immediately threatening the one single person working there that day and then calling me some words I’ve never been called in my life when those of there tried to tell him to calm down. Unfortunately the day before on the Road to Hana I saw multiple hand painted signs pointing out the locals did NOT want visitors.
I think people need to know this before visiting. I do not feel welcome and am wondering if I should even get off the boat at the other ports. I’ve lived in many different locations that attract visitors including Virginia Beach, which, although clearly not on the same level, attracts tourists. I did not treat them disrespectfully; I was not rude to them; I did not swear at them and call them names. As a woman, I’m not used to men screaming at me, threatening, and calling me names. I am leaving with a very bad taste in my mouth.
Stories like this are exactly why i booked a week long trip to dive Cozumel Mexico instead of traveling to Hawaii. I dont want to go somewhere where we aren’t welcome. The service and attitude at the resort we stayed at in Cozumel was way better than anything i could imagine. We bought another week to use in the future and needless to say, wont be going back to Hawaii anytime soon. Plus the diving and snorkeling are way WAY better.
Reading your comments and as usual someone always has to bring in politics. Been going to Maui since 1991. Go every other year. Going this year soon. When Lahaina was lost and many lives my wife and I cried for 3 days. We also sent a large donation to help out. We travel a lot. Lahaina not only was our favorite it was special. We will be very respectful. God bless Maui and the nightmare the people went through that night.
Aloha Frank, Thank you so much for your love and support to Maui. Your Aloha is very much appreciated.
We also have been going to Maui for years & just returned in February. It’s always been expensive but this time was out of control. No matter if your eating out or getting groceries triple the price on both. We did not experience anyone being rude, but did experience alot of homeless. The beaches were great!
Hello! I have an upcoming trip to Maui in April. Any information you could share will be greatly appreciated. I look forward to exploring Maui respectfully and being mindful of what locals have gone through last year. Thank you in advance
I agree, some of the rudest folks I’ve ever met have been in Maui plus it’s a heavy democratic state where there a lot of liberals that seem to have a chip on their shoulders.
The irony.
Hi John, No politics please. And while there maybe some rude people here, there are also some of the nicest people youʻll meet (as share by other commenters here). Mahalo for taking the time to comment.
Aloha Dawn, I am so sorry for this unfortunate and bad experience that you had on Maui. I believe you that this happened, and I am sad about it. However, I would like to add that that is not a common occurrence. It is an isolated case. That upset rude person, whoever that is, has a problem (could be anger problem, or maybe he is dealing with something we do not know about and you happened to be the one he vented out). What he did was wrong. Please know that is not a representative of Hawaiian culture. I have lived on Maui for 30+ years, and while there are some rude people (there are rude people in many places, not just Maui) but generally, the people here are very nice. It breaks my heart that you were disrespected. I understand why you shared your experience to “warn” others. Thank you for your concern. Again, I would like to clarify that it is not the “norm”. But you have the right to share what you experienced, so thank you for taking the time to comment here.
We just got back from
Maui and loved every minute of it. Locals were welcoming and friendly. We had been before and knew it would be different but we found trails to hike, beaches to walk, whale watching trips, and just relaxing. Love Maui and can’t wait to go back!
Aloha Maria, Thank you for sharing your experience. It validated my reply to Dawn.
We just returned as well. Fist time in Maui, third time on the Hawaiian Islands.It is the friendliest place we have been to. Road to Hana was great, no negativity signs. We will return!
My husband and I lived in Maui for 12 years, we miss it every single day. We had to leave fir medical reasons, otherwise we would still be there. Our biggest complaint was visitors had no conception that actual, real, normal working people live in Maui. It is NOT a playground for thoughtless, entitled tourists. Respect the people, respect the land, respect the culture… if you cannot do that, stay away!!!
Aloha Christine, mahalo for taking the time to comment. May all the warm memories you have of Maui bring smile to your face where ever you are. And prayer for healing for what ever the medical reason that caused you to leave Maui. Continue to live aloha and stay in touch. Who knows, you may come back and live here again someday, or maybe come for a visit. A hui hou.
Have been going to Maui since 1991, our most recent trip … Jan 6-13/2024.
We stay at Kaanapali Beach resorts, and like the Locals, Transplants and Tourists , we were heart broken and are still sadden by the devastation in Lahina.
We love Maui, the Culture, the locals and every aspect that Maui has to offer
Respect for the locals, the workers, family owned businesses, the culture are always foremost in our travels plans, which makes the Island as beautiful as it gets.
Cannot wait for our next visit in October.
Mahalo Denis for chiming in, and mahalo for your love for Maui. We too canʻt wait for you to visit again in October.
Aloha. I’m an annual visitor and love these beautiful loving islands. When visiting and embracing “Aloha” this means being respectful with compassion for all life with gratitude and the grace of love, always.
Aloha Cynthia, you are right: “When visiting and embracing “Aloha” this means being respectful with compassion for all life with gratitude and the grace of love, always.” – Mahalo for regularly visiting Maui and living Aloha.
I have been visiting Maui every two years for 25 years, in fact, my husband and I got married there in 2013. We are returning for the first time since the fire, I would be curious if there’s anything you think we should really know.
We actually had a flight and condo reservations for September 19-26 of 2023 and we ended up canceling that birthday week. We really felt like it wasn’t the right time to visit, over crowd or even come to the island because we wanted to give the locals and others the respect that was deserved for the loss of that tragedy. we ended up donating that condo rental for that week to someone who really needed it during that time. My husband and I visited Maui four times in a tear year span. Our last trip was in 2019, February 14 week. Lahaina has always been one of our favorite places to visit each time, especially the restaurants and the oyster pearl jewelry store. When this disaster happened in August 2023, we were both in tears of the devastation and death that occurred. The locals were the sweetest people ever as we always stayed and rented condos and homes, because we weren’t really resort people we did stay at the Westin Maui resort, because my husband was on business and to tell you the truth, everything was located at that hotel, which made you not want to visit the outside. I felt rather guilty at that time because there is so much to see outside of resorts, and we vowed that we would definitely stay with the locals and speaking, the locals while walking to supported business at the coffee shops, farmers market and fish market, we learned so much about the respect of the island just speaking into the locals one on one.. Maui is one of our favorite places to visit and we even renewed our wedding vows there in 2016. We will definitely come back and visit Maui in the future, nothing planned yet, but we definitely have Maui in our hearts. We will be back!!! Hopefully next year in 2025. Mahalo
If each visitor contributed at least one single element of support while on the island-the healing would grow exponentially.
We have been to Maui several times now. I learn a little more with each visit. It saddens me that so many people are not respectful when visiting not only Maui bit other places as well, especially when a tragedy has occurred. Freemont street us where I would get lost for a day and ship and enjoy. Our trips were always centered around Fleetwoods and Lahaina Pizza Company were always a must do. I am wanting to come back this year and would like more information on alternatives especially shopping locally!!!! Other local hidden treasures we would love to explore. Are there still volunteer opportunities? We are torn between Maui and Kauai which we have not been to. I would love a copy of your guide!!! Do you have a guide for Kauai? We usually stay in the Whalers area either the hotel or the condos. And would like to find something similar.
Hi,
We are visiting Maui in April 2024 with young kids, we have booked accommodation in Lahaina. My heart goes the people effected.
I am now worried about the holiday for which we have saved for a long time.
Please could you share your travel guide to help easy the stay.
Also would you recommended moving the accommodation to else where?
My sister and I will be visiting in May and would love a PDF copy of your guide. Please let me know the cost so I can pay you for your work in creating this guide. Thank you for sharing information to make the trip enjoyable for both tourists and those who are trying to put their lives back together.
We will be in Kahana May 8-15. I would be grateful to buy a copy of your guide.
I’m interested in stargazing tour on the volcano also.
We had been regular visitors and would respectfully want to contribute to Lahaina’s recovery. Advice much appreciated.
Mahalo
Cynthia Juvinall and family
We will be in Kahana May 8-15. I would be grateful to buy a copy of your guide.
I’m interested in stargazing tour on the volcano also.
We had been regular visitors and would respectfully want to contribute to Lahaina’s recovery. Advice much appreciated.
Mahalo
Cynthia Juvinall and family
Thank you for your blog. I too would be grateful to buy your guide.
Mahalo,
Geralyn