Maui’s message: The comeback is on, so come again: Travel Weekly

Two years for the reason that Lahaina wildfire, Maui’s tourism remains to be recovering, with a continued message that the island is open and welcoming guests. Sherry Duong, govt director of the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau, supplied the most recent updates because the island continues to bounce again, together with information of some latest openings and reopenings.

Travel Weekly: How is Maui doing now?

Sherry Duong: I feel when it comes to the state of tourism, how we have been after the wildfires, Maui [has proven to be] a really resilient island. The customer arrivals are nonetheless attempting to rebound. There is a number of sturdy help inside the group … and we proceed with the message to carry guests again.

The narrative actually must be on the market that Maui is welcoming guests, particularly outdoors of the Lahaina space. That’s the opposite factor, too: Not everyone understands the complete depth of what Lahaina is. They assume it is the entire whole west aspect, or they assume it is all the island. So we’ve to share what Lahaina actually is and what that encompasses.

It is a really sluggish rebound, however the good factor is that there are a few of these eating places and actions which can be beginning to reopen or they’ve relocated to completely different locations across the island. There are additionally a number of houses which can be being rebuilt proper now, so there’s a number of development happening [in Lahaina], which is sweet to see.

TW: Are guests nonetheless questioning whether or not they need to return?

Duong: I simply had a Canadian name this morning to say he is coming in November, and he simply desires to know whether it is OK to return. Meaning there are Canadians which can be presupposed to be considered one of our prime worldwide markets [who still aren’t sure], so someplace we’re lacking the boat in attempting to get that message out.

TW: What ought to journey advisors be telling purchasers who’re apprehensive about visiting Maui?

Duong: The greatest method you can help Maui is to encourage your purchasers to go to. Encourage them, after they come to go to, to go to with aloha, with respect and with simply that entire spirit of malama. So undoubtedly, that is how one can help us [to let them know] that we’re prepared.

We’ve been prepared, and we’re prepared with open arms.

TW: Any different ideas you have got for journey advisors?

Duong: I feel they may place Maui as each a therapeutic and a thriving island proper now. You know, the restoration continues [in Lahaina], however the remainder of the island may be very vibrant and secure. It’s simply so stuffed with alternatives … we do not need [them to be] missed alternatives.

TW: What are some new experiences on Maui?

Duong: At the Maui Ocean Center [in Wailuku, southeast of Lahaina], they created two new experiences. One is known as “Mele: The Hawaiian Music Experience,” and that’s form of like an immersive visible and musical journey that showcases Hawaiian dancers and musicians. It’s an incredible present. [Tickets are $97.95 per person.]

The different one which the Maui Ocean Center has put collectively is known as “Migrations: A Cultural Dinner & Dance Experience.” It’s a dinner present that celebrates the various teams that formed the fashionable Hawaiian tradition.

We’re at all times speaking about how Hawaii is made up of all of those completely different cultures that made us a melting pot. This really reveals that: You have dances which can be from Spain, China, Japan, Korea and, in fact, Hawaii. You’ve [also] obtained a global buffet together with this worldwide present. [Tickets are $185 per person.]

The Maui Gold Pineapple Co. [in Makawao] launched what they’re calling the Pineapple Planting Experience. It’s a guided tour, however the customer is ready to be a pineapple farmer for the day; they costume up in farmers’ garb, and so they exit and plant their very own pineapple and study in regards to the technique of rising the pineapple. The better part, I feel, might be tasting all of the recent pineapple. [Tickets are $145 per person, $135 for children ages 3 to 12.]

TW: What about issues to do in West Maui?

Duong: You’ve nonetheless obtained the Maui Chocolate Tour. You get to exit to the cacao farm and get to see that.

And there have been many restaurant openings. Mala Ocean Tavern reopened, Star Noodle reopened [both in Lahaina]. Sale Pepe, which was a really well-known Italian restaurant reopened, and so they’ve relocated again in Lahaina in Emerald Plaza.

Captain Jack’s, which was down on Lahaina Front Street, reopened at The Sands of Kahana Resort [in Lahaina]. The Old Lahaina Luau is again.

And we nonetheless produce other excursions, like snorkeling and whale-watching, and people are working once more from the Kaanapali space versus Lahaina Harbor.

TW: In January, Maui’s Kahului Airport expanded its passenger ready areas as a part of a $62 million renovation. Is there anything new on the airport?

Duong: They’re constructing one other wing, a brand new TSA safety screening checkpoint. It’s a two-story safety constructing that is being constructed on the different finish of the airport, and that is supposed to extend the screening lanes and [decrease wait times]. That’s presupposed to be accomplished on the finish of 2026.

TW: And are guests persevering with to island hop to Lanai on the ferry?

Duong: The ferry was over on the Lahaina Harbor; that relocated over to Maalaea Harbor [about half an hour farther south], and it is a bit little bit of an extended trek [from Lanai]. … It normally takes perhaps an hour and quarter-hour [as opposed to 45 minutes from Lanai to Lahaina].

But they do have departures every day and returns every day, as nicely. It’s good as a result of the schedule is early sufficient and late sufficient on the return that you just actually can simply do a daytrip. You do not should spend an evening over there in case you did not wish to.