Hawaii's Maui Locals Speak Out Against Tourism Amid Housing Shortage
Photo Credit: Maui beach. Many locals still think it's not time for tourism until the housing situation for wildfire survivors is fixed first. Unsplash / Pascal Debrunner
Skift Take
Hawaii and Maui won't see a full tourism recovery if the public perceive them as responsible for leaving the wildfire victims homeless.
Maui locals voiced their frustration with tourism promotion at a community meeting held by the Hawaiia Tourism Authority on Monday. Participants were upset about accommodating tourists as wildfire survivors are still in need of housing.
“Tourism has added to the trauma by adding to the fear of the displaced being kicked out of the hotels where they have been staying since losing their homes,” said one Lahaina resident at the meeting.
The housing situation of the displaced residents was a lightning rod.
