Lahaina legislators urge governor to delay phased reopening of West Maui tourism

In addition to urging the governor to delay the reopening date, Sen. Angus McKelvey and Rep. Elle Cochran (pictured) also used the letter to urge Green to: use the $200 million of general funds provided by the Legislature to extend direct unemployment assistance to workers and grants for affected small businesses; advocate for a three-year moratorium on foreclosures in Lahaina; and expand the eviction moratorium to small businesses by including commercial properties.
LAHAINA — Sen. Angus McKelvey (Senate District 6, West Maui, Mā’alaea, Waikapū, South Maui) and Rep. Elle Cochran (House District 14, Kahakuloa, Waihe’e, portions of Wai’ehu and Mā’alaea, Olowalu, Lahaina, Lahainaluna, Kā’anapali, Māhinahina Camp, Kahana, Honokahua) sent a letter to Gov. Josh Green urging him to abandon the hard date of Oct. 8 for the reopening of tourism to West Maui.
The letter states that the consensus amongst the two legislators and their constituents is that the planned reopening of West Maui for tourism is “too much, too soon.” The letter also implores Green to listen to the Lahaina community in regard to the reopening strategy, as the governor has repeatedly stated that he will listen to the community when it comes to rebuilding.
“Reopening to West Maui visitors should not be done by setting hard dates and opening up the floodgates at one time. Rather, it should be a measured process that moves in phases,” said Sen. McKelvey. “By assessing the phases of the reopening as they occur, we can move with the flexibility and sensitivity our community desperately needs. While we understand that the economy of our district has been tourism driven, many of us are still trying to process the damage the wildfire has caused. We must recognize the volatility of the situation here on the West Side. For the health and wellbeing of our friends and families, we must delay reopening to tourists. Let’s fully get our people into stable housing before opening our doors en masse to others.”
“I stand in support of a phased approach for the return of tourism,” said Rep. Cochran. “I foresee a new kind of tourism that is based on a voluntourism concept. I will push for an Aloha Aina, eco-culturally supportive diversified economy moving forward into our future.”
The letter states:
As the elected officials representing the West Maui community, this correspondence is to share the concerns of ourselves and that of our constituents. The consensus is your planned October 8, 2023, reopening of West Maui for tourism is too much, too soon. These sentiments are from hundreds of community members who have expressed that they are not yet mentally and emotionally prepared to welcome and serve tourists, particularly after enduring the traumatic impact of the recent wildfires.
While we understand the pressing need for revenue for our small businesses and financial support for our workers, it becomes a daunting task to ask our community members, especially the wildfire survivors, to set aside their grief and trauma to make way for outsiders. Pitting needs of the tourism industry against the needs of a community trying to heal is not the solution we seek. It is vital to ensure a balance by creating a solution that does not exacerbate the issues of an already fragile community.
As such, we urge you to embrace a phased approach to reopening West Maui to tourism later, when the community is ready. A phased approach, crafted with sensitivity to the physical, emotional, and economic wellbeing of our West Maui Community. On multiple occasions you have stated that you will listen to the community when it comes to rebuilding. We implore you to listen to our community now in regards the reopening strategy.
Furthermore, in the face of the economic impacts our West Maui Community is experiencing, we propose that you enact policies like those introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. We request an extension of direct unemployment insurance assistance to workers and grants for affected small businesses, utilizing the $200 million of general funds provided by the legislature in the 2023 session. Additionally, we request your help in ensuring our displaced residents have a stable place to reside. Please join us in advocating for a three-year moratorium on foreclosures in Lahaina to provide some relief and assurance for those most affected. Moreover, we ask that you expand the eviction moratorium to small businesses by including commercial properties.
We await your active involvement in presenting a compassionate solution that balances both the economic needs and the emotional well-being of our community.