#tourism Maui

Hawaiʻi’s economy is moving beyond last year’s mild recession, but the recovery will be gradual, according to the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization’s first quarter forecast for 2026 released on Feb. 27. Maui is the standout, as ongoing recovery from the disastrous 2023 wildfires will continue to propel rising tourism activity, if at a slower pace than last year.

The latest Visitor Satisfaction and Activity Survey results show that visitors’ experience on Maui among US West and US East travelers have improved since the Aug. 8 wildfires, according to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. The percentage of visitors to Maui that rated their trip “excellent” was 89.8% from the US East, 86.3% from Europe, 86.2% from the US West, and 85.9% from Canada. Additionally, the percentage of visitors from these markets “very likely” to return to Maui in the next five years remained high: US West (71.5%), Canada (63.0%), and US East (59.0%).

The Maui wildfires continue to have pronounced impacts on the economic indicators for all counties, but especially Maui County, according to new information compiled by the state Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism. The information was part of the department’s second quarter 2024 Statistical and Economic Report.

Blue Hawaiian announced today the appointment of Myra Galinato as company’s Vice President of Blue Hawaiian Activities. With 25 years of experience, Galinato has demonstrated a proven-track record of driving profitability, fostering collaborative partnerships, and elevating industry standards, according to a company announcement. Galinato has been with Blue Hawaiian for three years, most recently as […]

An online petition demanding a delay to the planned reopening of West Maui to tourism on Oct. 8, has garnered more than 10,000 signatures.

Visitor spending on Maui was $619.4 million in June 2023, compared to $549.8 million in June 2022 (+12.7%) and $477.1 million (+29.8%) in June 2019.

Visitor spending was $544.8 million in April 2023, compared to $496.7 million in April 2022 (+9.7%) and $398.6 million (+36.7%) in April 2019.

Maui County hotels led the counties in April 2023, achieving Revenue Per Available Room of $398, and an Average Daily Rate at $609, and occupancy of 65.4%, according to the latest Hawaiʻi Hotel Performance Report released today by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

Tourism continued to recover across the state in February, with Maui County reporting double digit increases in visitors and spending over the same time last year.

Visitors to Haleakalā National Park Created $76.7 Million in Economic Benefits and Supported 598 Jobs in the Local Economy

Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply of all four counties in November, with 189,300 available unit nights (-15.6% vs. 2020, -37.8% vs. 2019), according to the Hawaiʻi Vacation Rental Performance Report issued by the Hawai.i Tourism Authority.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino has submitted another request to Governor David Ige to ease restrictions in the County of Maui Public Health Emergency Rules. Details are forthcoming. If approved, the effective date for changes would be Nov. 5, 2021.

Managing Director Baz said the mayor does not believe Bill 60 will relieve crowds at Kahului Airport, reduce traffic on Maui’s roadways, or solve the problem of transient vacation rentals operating in neighborhoods. “Bill 60 will simply limit the choice of visitor accommodations in West and South Maui for the next 5-10 years,” said Baz.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) encourages anyone flying into or out of Hawaiʻi airports to expect a busy summer travel season.

On Saturday, May 9, a total of 857 people arrived in Hawaiʻi including 255 visitors and 334 residents, according to new information compiled by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. While passenger counts continue to rise, there were no trans-Pacific flights to Maui on Saturday.  The island continues to see an average of 3 to 4 domestic flights from the mainland per week as a result of reduced flight schedules. 

Over the period, covering all of April and six days in March, Maui saw 1,621 air visitors on 61 trans-Pacific flights, including 358 visitors, 594 residents, 122 intended residents, 546 crew members and a single individual in transit to another location. A large portion of those who arrived said they came to visit friends or relatives.

Yesterday a total of 640 people arrived in Hawai‘i including 166 visitors and 196 residents. There was a total of 14 arriving flights. Maui had no trans-Pacific flights on Thursday, April 30, 2020.

In March, visitor spending dropped 49.7 percent to $221.6 million. Total visitor days decreased (-51.1%), but average daily spending was up (+2.9% to $209 per person) compared to a year ago. Visitor arrivals declined 54.5 percent to 125,943. Maui’s stay-at-home order went into effect on March 20, while the state’s mandatory stay-at-home order took effect nearly a week later on March 26, followed by a statewide mandatory traveler quarantine on March 28.

For a third day this week, Maui County had no trans-Pacific flights (domestic flights) from the mainland on Saturday. Of the 112 interisland passengers that arrived at Kahului Airport on Thursday, April 23 (2020), 89 were from O‘ahu and 16 were from Lāna‘i.  Of the 23 passengers that arrived at Moloka‘i Airport, 12 were from O‘ahu and 11 were from Maui.  Of the 18 passengers that arrived at Lāna‘i Airport, 3 were from O‘ahu and 15 were from Maui.

On Wednesday, April 22, 421 people arrived in Hawaiʻi including 109 visitors and 166 residents.   On Maui, 51 people arrived on a single flight including 35 residents, 14 visitors and two crew members.