Following the devastating fires in the Lahaina Banyan Court area, as captured in satellite images, Maui’s hotel sector has emerged as a cornerstone in the island’s initial recovery phase.
Hawaii’s Governor, Josh Green, unveiled a complimentary hotel stay initiative for locals who have been rendered homeless due to the wildfires. To kickstart this initiative, 500 hotel rooms have been earmarked and are now accessible. Moreover, some of these rooms are reserved for first responders offering emergency services.
In a bid to provide extended accommodation solutions, Governor Green’s administration is collaborating with Airbnb. The aim is to transform short-term listings into more prolonged stay options. Green anticipates that “hundreds” of Airbnb listings will soon be available to those displaced, with housing subsidies in place.
A recent update from the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) on Aug. 13 revealed that numerous hotels in West Maui are currently not taking new reservations.
The MHLA stated, “Given the current circumstances, a significant number of hotels are accommodating their staff and their families. This will continue until the West Maui fires are completely under control and the roads are declared safe for travel. Concurrently, these hotels are gearing up to provide shelter for evacuees and the first responders dedicated to disaster relief.”
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