Maui Mayor Richard Wiesen Announcement
“Decision to open the western part of Maui Island”
Tourism in some areas of the island will resume about three months after a fire broke out on Hawaii’s Maui Island last August, causing the greatest damage in U.S. history in 100 years.
According to the Associated Press on the 23rd (local time), Maui Mayor Richard Wiesen announced that tourism would resume in the entire western region, excluding some areas burned by the fire in Lahaina, Maui, starting November 1.
Mayor Wiesen explained that this decision was made after discussions with the Lahaina Advisory Team, the Red Cross and several partner organizations.
On the 8th of last month, Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared the official resumption of tourism in the western part of Maui Island to help residents regain their lost jobs and restore the economy. However, Governor Bissen has modified the plan to open only a small area on the northern edge of Maui Island and to say that there is no set schedule for the remaining areas.
Local communities have been debating when to welcome tourists back to fire-affected areas. Some residents have even launched a petition opposing the resumption of tourism, saying the community is not yet ready.
In response, Mayor Wiesen said in a press conference, “People who are not ready to return to work should continue to seek the help and attention they need by talking to their employers.”
Mayor Wiesen noted that many residents are also having difficulty taking care of their children. “Our county partners are working to resolve this issue,” he said.
He added, “Residents staying at the West Maui Hotel and other lodging facilities after losing their homes in the fire will not lose their place to sleep. We have received assurances from the Red Cross that their homes will not be in danger of being lost.”
Mayor Wiesen explained that the decision to resume tourism was voluntary and that some accommodation facilities had already resumed operations on their own.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.