"Maui's Plea to Tourists: Respect and Support the Recovery Efforts"

Local businesses and state tourism officials in Maui are urging tourists to return to the unscathed parts of the island after deadly wildfires caused a drastic decline in tourism. Tourism accounts for nearly the entire Maui economy, with tourists spending over $5.5 billion on the island last year. While the exact number of returning tourists is unknown, locals estimate it to be a couple thousand at most. However, some tourists still feel conflicted about visiting, unsure if it is appropriate given the recent disaster. The island is heavily dependent on tourism, and the loss of visitors is causing significant financial strain, with West Maui estimated to be losing over a million dollars a day since the fires.