Title: Maui County Council Urges Governor to Delay West Maui Reopening following Devastating Wildfires
Subtitle: Residents need more time to heal before tourism resumes
Maui, Hawaii – The Maui County Council has unanimously voted in favor of a resolution urging Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, to delay the reopening of West Maui to tourism. The resolution comes in the wake of deadly wildfires that ravaged the historic town of Lahaina in early August, claiming 97 lives and destroying numerous homes.
The council member, Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, emphasized that reopening on the exact date marking two months from the fire is not trauma-informed. Rawlins-Fernandez stated, “In honor of the two-month mark, the governor has cracked the whip, sending everyone back to work.”
While some residents have been allowed to return and assess the damage to their homes in phases over the past two weeks, parts of West Maui had been scheduled to begin a phased reopening to tourists on October 8. However, this plan has faced significant controversy.
Residents, particularly those from hard-hit Lahaina, have petitioned Governor Green to postpone the reopening date, citing the need for more time to heal from the devastating events. Paele Kiakona, a native of Lahaina, expressed the community’s grief and loss during a news conference: “Not yet… Our grief is still too fresh, and our loss is too profound.”
The resolution passed by the council calls for the governor to align the reopening of West Maui with benchmarks that measure community stability. Council member Tamara Paltin expressed hopes that the vote would send a strong message, stating, “We need certain things to be able to open to tourism. We need stability of housing. We’re not machines.”
Recognizing the toll that the wildfires have taken on the emotional well-being of residents directly affected, the resolution emphasizes the need for time, compassion, and a supportive environment to heal, rebuild, and regain a sense of normalcy.
Governor Green acknowledged the concerns raised by the community, stating that there is no easy answer to the question of when to welcome visitors back to West Maui. However, he emphasized that supporting Maui’s economy and keeping people employed will aid in the healing process and ensure that residents can continue to afford living on the island.
The phased reopening of West Maui will be led by Mayor Richard Bissen, taking into consideration the delicate situation faced by the survivors of the devastating wildfires. The governor assured that the reopening will be gradual, prioritizing the well-being and readiness of the community members.
As the residents of West Maui continue to recover from the trauma of the wildfires, their voices and concerns will remain at the forefront, shaping decisions regarding the reopening of the area to tourism.