(AmericanProsperity.com) – The Mayor of Hawaii’s Maui County Richard Bissen said on October 23 that most parts of West Maui will reopen to tourists on November 1, following what was considered the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century. During a press conference, Bissen told reporters that people in Maui are excited about the chance of going back to normal. However, he noted that the burned-out parts of historic Lahaina won’t be available for tourism.
Bissen also told reporters he made the decision after numerous conversations with the Red Cross, the Lahaina advisory team, and some other partners in the county. According to different reports, West Maui currently has over 10,000 hotel rooms, which is almost half of the county’s total. Tourists evacuated every hotel after the August 8 blaze raged through the Lahaina town. The fire killed over 100 people and destroyed nearly 3,000 buildings.
Back in September, Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced that West Maui would officially reopen to tourists on October 8 so it could recover some jobs and help its economy grow as soon as possible. However, the Mayor of Maui County modified Green’s declaration with what he called a phased plan, which would allow a small part of West Maui’s northern edge to open first. While Bissen said that the rest would follow eventually, he hasn’t announced any date for this.
In the press conference, Bissen said that Maui workers are ready to return to their old jobs while recognizing that this will not be “for everyone.” He explained that those who feel they are not prepared to start working again on November 1 should call their employees and keep seeking the attention and help “that they need.”
The mayor also told reporters that many residents have expressed their concerns about not having any childcare. He noted that many partners of Maui County are currently working to solve that problem as soon as possible.
Copyright 2023, AmericanProsperity.com
