5 Ways Your Visit Directly Supports Maui's Recovery

After the devastating 2023 fires, many well-meaning people asked: "Should I still visit Maui?" Some even canceled trips, thinking they were being sensitive. But the response from the Maui community has been unanimous and emphatic: yes, please come. Here's why your visit matters, and five specific ways to make your trip a force for recovery.

Why Tourism Matters

Tourism provides roughly 75% of Maui's economic activity. Hotels, restaurants, activity companies, retail shops, and the thousands of workers they employ are all directly tied to visitor spending. When tourism dropped sharply after the fires — even in areas completely unaffected by the disaster — the economic impact was devastating. Workers who survived the fire lost their jobs when hotels emptied. Restaurants that were untouched closed because customers disappeared. The economic ripple effect of reduced tourism compounded the fire's damage in ways that lasted months. Your vacation dollars are, quite literally, recovery fuel.

1. Eat Local — Every Meal Matters

Choose locally-owned restaurants over national chains whenever possible. Every plate lunch at Aloha Mixed Plate, every dinner at Star Noodle, every poke bowl from Foodland's counter puts money directly into the local economy. Ask your server if the restaurant is locally owned — most are happy to share their story. Many restaurant workers in West Maui were personally affected by the fires and rely on tourism tips to support their families. When the service is good (and it almost always is), tip generously — 20-25% makes a real difference. Even choosing local coffee shops over Starbucks and local shave ice stands over chain dessert shops matters.

2. Book Local Activities — Support Maui-Based Operators

When booking snorkel trips, whale watches, surf lessons, hiking tours, and luaus, prioritize operators based in Maui rather than national booking platforms. Our activity listings on lahaina.com prioritize local providers for this reason. A snorkel trip with a Lahaina Harbor-based company keeps your money on the island and supports captains, crew, and office staff who live here. Many activity operators employed residents who were displaced by the fires and have made incredible efforts to keep their teams together.

3. Shop Local — Bring Home Something Meaningful

Instead of buying souvenirs at airport shops or big-box stores, seek out local artisans and small businesses. The Lahaina Arts Society, farmers markets (check schedules — they rotate locations), and small boutiques throughout West Maui sell handmade jewelry, art, clothing, and food products made by Maui residents. Made in Maui products make better souvenirs anyway — they tell a story and support real people. Look for locally produced items like Maui-grown coffee, macadamia nuts, Hawaiian honey, and hand-crafted jewelry.

4. Stay Longer — Even One Extra Night Counts

If your schedule and budget allow, extending your trip by even one or two nights has an outsized economic impact. Each additional night means more meals, more activities, more shopping, and more employment hours for local workers. A 7-night stay generates roughly 40% more economic impact than a 5-night stay. If you can't stay longer, consider front-loading your spending — book that extra snorkel trip, have that nice dinner, buy that piece of art. Spending more per day has a similar effect to staying longer.

5. Tip Generously and Spread Kindness

Service workers in West Maui have been through an incredibly difficult period. Many lost their homes, their possessions, and their sense of stability — yet they show up every day with warm smiles and genuine aloha. If the service is good, show your appreciation with generous tips. But beyond money, a kind word, a compliment to a manager, a positive online review — these things matter enormously to people who are rebuilding their lives. Many workers have told us that the kindness of returning visitors helped them get through the hardest months.

The Big Picture

You might feel awkward enjoying a vacation while a community is recovering. That's a natural, compassionate response. But the reality is that your enjoyment of Maui's beaches, restaurants, and activities directly translates into jobs, income, and hope for the people who call this place home. Come to Maui. Enjoy every moment. Spend generously. Be kind. You're doing more good than you know.