Maui Is Open, But Should I Go? What Travelers Need to Know Post-Wildfires

In August 2023, fast-moving wildfires devastated Lāhainā, a historic town just minutes from Maui’s beloved Kāʻanapali Beach. Before the fires, the surrounding resort community welcomed more than three million visitors annually. While flames came dangerously close to Kāʻanapali’s resort corridor, the beachfront area itself was untouched. The emotional and economic impact, however, was immediate. Images of destruction spread rapidly across news outlets and social media, prompting travelers to cancel trips and, in many cases, to write Maui off altogether.

For thousands of Maui residents, tourism is more than an industry; it is a livelihood. The sudden drop in visitors, layered on top of the trauma of the fires, proved deeply disruptive. Even as much of the island remained safe and open, uncertainty lingered. Would visiting be appropriate? Would it help — or hinder — recovery?

Yes, Maui Is Open

More than two years later, Maui is not unchanged, but it is resilient, vibrant, and ready to welcome visitors. No, everything is not “back to normal,” and it may never be in precisely the same way. Still, Maui is open, and the Aloha Spirit is alive and well. Travelers who arrive with care, awareness, and a willingness to support an island in recovery will find more than postcard-perfect beaches and sunsets, though those enduring hallmarks remain. They will also encounter a community actively shaping its future.

What It Is Like to Visit Maui Right Now (And Why You Should)

My October 2025 trip was my first visit to Maui, so I lack a firsthand “before and after” comparison. I passed through areas impacted by the fires and saw rebuilding underway, but the Kāʻanapali Beach area, where I stayed, shows no outward sign of damage. On the surface, Maui still delivers what travelers expect: clear blue water, gentle waves, lush greenery, excellent snorkeling, and seafood pulled straight from the ocean.

But nearly everyone has a story about the fires. Resort employees, local business owners, and repeat visitors (Maui has long enjoyed a loyal following of frequent flyers) speak openly about loss, recovery, and resilience. The impact of the fires isn’t always visible, but it is present in quieter ways. When visitors take time to listen, they begin to understand how deeply the hospitality community has rallied to support neighbors and preserve livelihoods. That collective effort has become part of Maui’s story and what makes the island feel meaningful right now.

Recovery Initiatives and How Visitors Can Help

Tourism remains the single most powerful way travelers can support Maui’s recovery. Beyond that, several initiatives are quietly making a difference.

Treecovery

If you have never experienced loss from a fire firsthand, you’ve probably never thought, “What happens to the trees that burned?” Treecovery Hawaii is a nonprofit focused on preserving trees in Maui’s fire zones and providing new ones to residents who lost homes and businesses. While Kāʻanapali resorts were not in the fire zone, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa is partnering with Treecovery by housing and nurturing young potted trees on its grounds. Guests strolling through the gardens will notice signage identifying these temporary tree residents. One day, the trees will be replanted in communities rebuilding from loss.

The Branches at Royal Lahaina Resort

After the fires damaged many of Lāhainā ’s live music venues, local musicians and artisans lost more than stages and storefronts; they lost access to audiences. Royal Lahaina Resort has helped restore that connection. Beneath The Branches, a sweeping ficus tree behind the resort, a monthly artists’ night showcases Maui talent through live music and pop-up shops featuring handmade jewelry, art, and clothing. Held on the third Friday of each month, the gathering creates a tangible bridge between impacted creators and new audiences.

There’s live music at The Branches every night, so even if you miss the monthly featured artists night, you can enjoy the vibes and the ambiance.

Pop-Up Shopping + “Meet the Artist” Events

Launched in January 2025, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa’s Discover More of Maui campaign supports local artists following the loss of Lāhainā ’s Front Street, once one of the highest-grossing art districts in the United States. Its weekly Meet the Artist series brings a rotating roster of Maui-based creators to the property, offering artists consistent exposure while inviting travelers to engage directly with the island’s contemporary creative community.

Travelers looking to make a direct financial contribution can contact the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, which manages the Maui Strong Fund. The fund provides both immediate and long-term resources to people and places affected by the fires.

Best Things to Do in Maui Right Now

Maui is still Maui. Here’s how to enjoy this beautiful island.

Explore Kāʻanapali Beach

Fourteen resorts line this stretch of public beach, connected by a boardwalk dotted with shops, restaurants, and tour outfitters. Parking can be limited for non-guests, but the rewards are considerable: gentle waves near shore, excellent snorkeling at Black Rock (Puʻu Kekaʻa), and frequent sea turtle sightings. Snorkel gear rentals and beach essentials are readily available nearby.

In addition to swimming and snorkeling, there’s just about every kind of ocean-adjacent pursuit you can think of, from parasailing to outrigger canoe tours.

Watch the Cliff Dive Ritual at Black Rock

Each evening at sunset, a torchlighting and cliff-diving ceremony unfolds atop the lava outcrop fronting Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. The resort’s lanai offers prime viewing, with rocking chairs overlooking the spectacle. Arrive early for a seat.

Take a Sailing Adventure with Teralani

Teralani Sailing Adventure’s catamaran excursions range from sunset cocktail sails to snorkeling and wildlife-watching trips. Dolphin and whale sightings are common, depending on the season. Humpback whales migrate through Maui waters from mid-December through May. Dolphins like the warmer months, and you’re more likely to see them May through November. You can also book other things to do in Maui with Teralani, such as surf lessons, ziplining, and guided hikes around the island.

Tour of the Stars

The connection between Maui and astronomy dates back to the early Polynesian explorers, who were guided to Hawai‘i by reading the night sky. The Tour of the Stars is a program at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa that offers guests a view of the stars from the hotel’s rooftop via an HD telescope. The resort has a NASA Solar System Ambassador on staff who guides visitors through the program; reservations are required.

Where to Stay

The OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort

Formerly the Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel, this property emphasizes cultural immersion, offering complimentary activities such as lei making, ukulele lessons, and Hawaiian storytelling. Guests participate in a Kukui nut lei ceremony, with returning visitors receiving a white nut to add to their lei, a moving testament to the resort’s loyal following.

Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott Maui

Wailea’s atmosphere contrasts sharply with Kāʻanapali’s energy. Resorts are more spread out, quieter, and oriented toward relaxation. Wailea Beach Resort offers extensive amenities, including an adults-only pool, a family-friendly water area, and Maui’s longest waterslide.

Hyatt Regency Maui

Situated at the edge of Kāʻanapali Beach, this well-appointed resort balances high-end amenities with easy access to the lively boardwalk shopping and dining. Unexpectedly, the lobby also houses a penguin habitat, complete with a daily educational session, which is not something most people would expect to find on Maui.

Hesitating Because of the Fires? Don’t.

Visiting Maui doesn’t hinder recovery; it helps sustain it. The island relies on tourism, and the 2023 fires, which arrived on the heels of the pandemic, deepened existing economic and social challenges for residents. While rebuilding will continue into the new year and beyond, Maui remains fully open to visitors willing to make the journey from the mainland. What you’ll find, if you pay attention, is a community marked by resilience and resolve. Seeing that firsthand doesn’t just enrich the trip — it gives it purpose and makes your time there count just a little bit more.