Visiting Maui Following the Lahaina Fires: Everything You Need to Know

As Maui continues its journey toward recovery following the devastating wildfires that ravaged Lahaina last summer, many visitors are still questioning whether they should visit Maui and, if so, which parts they should visit and which parts they should avoid. In addition, they are wondering how to travel respectfully during this time and how they can offer their continued support to the Maui community as it heals. In this blog post, we clarify which areas of the island are open to guests, answer frequently asked questions, suggest ideas for mindful travel during your stay, and offer opportunities to support our community. 

Should I visit Maui following the fires?

In short, Yes! While it may feel counterintuitive, continuing to visit this incredible island and especially purchasing local goods and services whenever possible is the best way to support the Maui community today. Every part of your stay, from your initial booking to each souvenir, meal, and excursion purchased during your trip, directly contributes to job creation and income generation for Maui residents. Because Maui relies so heavily on the visitor industry to bolster its economy, guests can directly contribute to Maui's recovery by choosing Maui for their next vacation. During your trip, we only ask that you practice patience and compassion as the community does its best to serve its guests and regain some sense of normalcy while we all adjust to the reality of a new Maui. 

West Maui is open, Lahaina remains closed

While the residents of Lahaina who lost their homes, and the island as a whole, continue to find their footing following the tragic fires that struck last August, many understand that tourism is the lifeblood of the West Maui economy, and so are eagerly welcoming guests to this beautiful area of the island once again. Although many Lahaina Town businesses were lost, the surrounding areas from Kaanapali to Kapalua remain intact, with plenty to do and see and in need of your support. By choosing to eat, shop, and stay through local West Maui vendors, you are investing your funds directly into the Maui people.

Visitors can safely and comfortably travel to all open areas of West Maui via the Lahaina Bypass without traveling through the fire zone. Snorkel the crystal clear reefs of Honolua Bay, drive the scenic highway to Nakalele Blowhole, and explore the abundant shops and dining along the world-famous Kaanapali Beach. While it is still critical that visitors avoid Lahaina Town when traveling to West Maui, some Lahaina business are open and easily accessible on your way, like Old Lahaina Luau (reopening 3/12/24), Mala Ocean Tavern, Safeway, Walgreens, and Ace Hardware. 

The following is a list of some of the open restaurants in West Maui to visit during your next trip. New restaurants and business are continually reopening. Should you have a question about a specific West Maui business, please contact our team. 

Is Lahaina still closed?

While many parts of West Maui are open and excited to share the island with travelers again, it is crucial to remember that Lahaina Town is off limits to visitors for the foreseeable future. A long road to rebuilding Lahaina Town lies ahead before visitors or locals can expect to enter this area again. 

Please practice the following courtesies during your stay. 

• Out of respect for those whose lives were impacted, we kindly ask that you do not enter Lahaina Town for any reason and avoid taking pictures of the fire zone, even from afar. This area is restricted and should only be visited by people with a legitimate reason to be there.
• Please avoid asking any service workers or residents about the fires or about what their experience has been. While these questions may be intended to be supportive, many survivors are not ready to share their experiences with others. It is best to avoid the topic unless a Maui resident addresses it first. 

What areas of Maui can I visit? 

As stated above, many areas of West Maui are open again and safe to visit, including Kaanapali, Napili, Honokowai, Kahana, and Kapalua. In addition, the rest of the island's top destinations, including all of South Maui, Upcountry, Makawao, Haleakala, Paia, and the Road to Hana, are accessible by guests.  

Will my vacation take short-term housing from displaced residents?

In the months following the fires, many potential visitors expressed the concern that their vacation might contribute to the removal of Lahaina fire survivors from their temporary housing. While we sincerely appreciate this consideration and thoughtfulness, we assure you this is not the case! None of the displaced residents we are currently sheltering have been, or will be, evicted to make room for visitors. We have set aside separate inventory for guests, and we will continue to shelter displaced residents as long as the various support agencies desire to work with us.

Was Kaanapali Beach affected by the fires?

Neither Kaanapali Beach nor the Kaanapali resort area, located just north of Lahaina Town, were harmed by the wildfires of August 2023. Fortunately, the world-famous resort area was untouched and is completely open to visitors. Browse our selection of Kaanapali accommodations to stay right on Kaanapali Beach.