Maui County mayor Richard Bissen said all but the burned-out sections of Lahaina will reopen after discussions with his advisory team, the Red Cross and other partners. Travellers were evacuated from hotels in West Maui when the fire raged through Lahaina on August 8, killing at least 99 people and destroying more than 2,000 buildings. Hawaii Governor Josh Green last month declared West Maui would officially reopen to tourism on October 8 to bring back badly needed jobs and help the economy recover. Residents who have been staying in West Maui hotels and other short-term accommodations after losing their homes in the fire will not lose their lodging, the mayor said. The mayor said the reopening schedule was voluntary and said some properties have already reopened on their own.

Source: The Times October 24, 2023 10:28 UTC