#Maui Tourism

The Hua Momona Foundation has announced the second annual Maui Music & Food Experience, taking place from Aug. 15 to Aug. 16 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in Kāʻanapali.

The island of Maui recently experienced its slowest tourism month of the year, with 195,784 visitors flying to the island in May, according to preliminary data from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

A coordinated statewide effort to support Maui’s tourism recovery is now underway, with the launch of a $6 million Maui Emergency Marketing Campaign funded by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

On any given day this past March, Maui saw 59,089 visitors.

An evening honoring Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole returns to Queen Kaʻahumanu Center on Friday night.

Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club has launched new initiatives to support Lahaina’s recovery, including a sand sculpture fundraiser and a refillable mug program benefiting restoration efforts.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has issued its next round of requests for proposals for its community partnership programs.

Seventeen months after the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, Maui has seen signs of a recovery in its tourism industry, with December 2024 marking an increase in both visitor numbers and spending.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., has announced the release of $6.3 million restricted funds from the Dept. of Business, Economic Development and Tourism budget for a marketing effort to address the continued economic impacts from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and the expected downturn due to the January 2025 Southern California wildfires.

Fifteen months after the Aug. 8, 2023 wildfires, there were 197,622 visitors to Maui in November 2024, according to preliminary statistics from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. This marks a 21.6% increase—or approximately 35,000 more visitors—compared to November 2023, though it remains about 15% below the visitor count recorded in November 2019, prior to the pandemic and wildfires.

Here on Maui, 14 months after the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfires, there were 180,609 visitors to Maui in October 2024, which was higher than October 2023 (134,493 visitors, +34.3%), but below October 2019 (238,043 visitors, -24.1%). Visitor spending increased to $388.5 million in October 2024, compared to $332.9 million (+16.7%) in October 2023 and $379.8 million (+2.3%) in October 2019.

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has been accepted into Virtuoso’s exclusive portfolio of luxury travel partners, comprising over 2,300 preferred suppliers in 100 countries.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali announced the promotion of Jared Kahaialii to the role of director of spa. Kahaialii has over a decade of experience in luxury hospitality and retail and previously oversaw the resort’s growing spa, fitness and wellness offerings. 

Local farms, artisans and cultural guides are collaborating to bring unique, hands-on experiences that celebrate Maui’s natural beauty and resources this fall.

A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 791,292 visitors to Haleakalā National Park in 2023 spent $57.5 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 556 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $72.1 million.

“It’s going to be a long process,” said Kā‘eo Blas, reflecting on one year since a fire burned down his home and much of Lahaina town. “Sometimes you think it gets better but it’s always there. It’s like losing somebody you love. You still get the memories, they’re still in your heart, but they’re not there. It’s not the same.”

As travelers look ahead to the upcoming fall season, Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea has launched a new way to experience the island through a variety of seasonal “Getaway” experiences.

In May 2024, Maui County continued to have the largest supply of available vacation rental (TVR) units in the state, but occupancy rates for them were below half, at 49.5%, according to a report by the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism’s Hawaiʻi (DBEDT).

In April 2024, Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply at 246,500 available unit nights (+4.7% vs. 2023, -4.4% vs. 2019), and Maui vacation rental unit supply continued to be impacted by the Aug. 8 wildfire. The data was included in the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism’s Hawaiʻi Vacation Rental Performance Report.

The Shops at Wailea has an exciting lineup of events for March, featuring live jazz and Hawaiian music, art showcases and an Easter celebration, all of which are open to visitors and locals.