In August, deadly wildfires swept through parts of Hawaii, specifically Maui and the Big Island. On Maui, the wildfires spread to the historical town of Lahaina. Around 100 people died, homes, businesses and hotels were destroyed, and that section of the island had been shut off to visitors. 

But the rebuilding and recovery process has been ongoing, and Gov. Josh Green proclaimed those sections of West Maui “open” again to tourism as of Oct. 8. And today we’ve brought together three Hawaii tourism experts: Our contributing editor for Hawaii, Christine Hitt; Kathy Takushi, the owner of Maui-based travel agency Captivating Journeys; and Ilihia Gionson, the public affairs office at the Hawaii Tourism Authority, to talk about the island’s approach to reopening and whether travelers should go to West Maui.

In this informative and emotional episode, we talk about responsible tourism -- the right way for people to approach travel to those impacted areas. What to say to visitors who may feel apprehensive about going. The aloha spirit that's so unique to Hawaii. And concerns about overtourism: Could Lahaina’s closure mean crowds in other parts of the island?

Episode sponsor: 

This episode is sponsored by Air France/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines https://www.afkl.biz

Stay on after this episode for a bonus interview with Charlotte Bowman, sales development director for Air France/KLM, and Mary Pat Sullivan, the executive vice president of marketing and partnerships for Travel Weekly and the Northstar Travel Group.

Additional links and coverage: 

Support for Maui wildfire relief: https://www.mauinuistrong.info/

Hawaii Tourism: https://gohawaii.com

Captivating Journeys: https://captivatingjourneys.com/

Reports by contributing editor Christine Hitt: 

In the aftermath of Maui fires, an agency owner looks ahead https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/In-aftermath-of-fires-Maui-agency-owner-looks-ahead?ct=hawaii

West Maui's phased reopening takes place https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/West-Maui-phased-reopening

A new plan for Maui's recovery https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Insights/Maui-travel-recovery-plan

Understanding the economic impact of the Maui fires https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Insights/Understanding-the-economic-impact-of-the-Maui-fires

Additional Travel Weekly reports on Maui fires:

A visit to Maui, a month after the fires https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Aloha-and-welcoming-hospitality-for-visitors-on-Maui

Reopening Maui hotels focus on locals https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Reopening-Maui-hotels-focus-on-supporting-locals

Maui hotels launch promotions to stimulate tourism recovery https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Maui-hotels-launch-promotions-stimulate-tourism-recovery

In August, deadly wildfires swept through parts of Hawaii, specifically Maui and the Big Island. On Maui, the wildfires spread to the historical town of Lahaina. Around 100 people died, homes, businesses and hotels were destroyed, and that section of the island had been shut off to visitors. 
But the rebuilding and recovery process has been ongoing, and Gov. Josh Green proclaimed those sections of West Maui “open” again to tourism as of Oct. 8. And today we’ve brought together three Hawaii tourism experts: Our contributing editor for Hawaii, Christine Hitt; Kathy Takushi, the owner of Maui-based travel agency Captivating Journeys; and Ilihia Gionson, the public affairs office at the Hawaii Tourism Authority, to talk about the island’s approach to reopening and whether travelers should go to West Maui.
In this informative and emotional episode, we talk about responsible tourism -- the right way for people to approach travel to those impacted areas. What to say to visitors who may feel apprehensive about going. The aloha spirit that's so unique to Hawaii. And concerns about overtourism: Could Lahaina’s closure mean crowds in other parts of the island?
Episode sponsor: 
This episode is sponsored by Air France/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines <a href="https://www.afkl.biz">https://www.afkl.biz</a>
Stay on after this episode for a bonus interview with Charlotte Bowman, sales development director for Air France/KLM, and Mary Pat Sullivan, the executive vice president of marketing and partnerships for Travel Weekly and the Northstar Travel Group.
Additional links and coverage: 
Support for Maui wildfire relief: <a href="https://www.mauinuistrong.info/">https://www.mauinuistrong.info/</a>
Hawaii Tourism: <a href="https://gohawaii.com">https://gohawaii.com</a>
Captivating Journeys: <a href="https://captivatingjourneys.com/">https://captivatingjourneys.com/</a>
Reports by contributing editor Christine Hitt: 
In the aftermath of Maui fires, an agency owner looks ahead <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/In-aftermath-of-fires-Maui-agency-owner-looks-ahead?ct=hawaii">https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/In-aftermath-of-fires-Maui-agency-owner-looks-ahead?ct=hawaii</a>
West Maui's phased reopening takes place <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/West-Maui-phased-reopening">https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/West-Maui-phased-reopening</a>
A new plan for Maui's recovery <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Insights/Maui-travel-recovery-plan">https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Insights/Maui-travel-recovery-plan</a>
Understanding the economic impact of the Maui fires <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Insights/Understanding-the-economic-impact-of-the-Maui-fires">https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Insights/Understanding-the-economic-impact-of-the-Maui-fires</a>
Additional Travel Weekly reports on Maui fires:
A visit to Maui, a month after the fires <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Aloha-and-welcoming-hospitality-for-visitors-on-Maui">https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Aloha-and-welcoming-hospitality-for-visitors-on-Maui</a>
Reopening Maui hotels focus on locals <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Reopening-Maui-hotels-focus-on-supporting-locals">https://www.travelweekly.com/Hawaii-Travel/Reopening-Maui-hotels-focus-on-supporting-locals</a>
Maui hotels launch promotions to stimulate tourism recovery <a href="https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Maui-hotels-launch-promotions-stimulate-tourism-recovery">https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Maui-hotels-launch-promotions-stimulate-tourism-recovery</a>

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they’ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors explore ideas, share experiences and provide insight into what they&rsquo;ve uncovered while reporting on some of the biggest trends in travel.

Hosted by Rebecca Tobin, managing editor of Travel Weekly

The Folo by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week. 

In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about.  

You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do. 

Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

Travel Weekly's team of reporters, editors and contributors take a deep dive into the biggest travel story of the week.&nbsp;
In each episode, we invite invite our team of journalists and their trusted sources to delve into major travel trends that industry insiders, or just travelers, want to know about. &nbsp;
You may be wondering: Why the Folo? Well, a folo -- f o l o -- is a journalism term, a kind of shorthand that basically means to follow a breaking news story with more in depth reporting and analysis. And at the Folo podcast, that's what we do.&nbsp;
Hosted by Travel Weekly managing editor Rebecca Tobin.

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