UPDATE:
WASHINGTON (Aug. 10, 2023) - AHLA is closely tracking the devastating wildfires in West Maui. We are in contact with our state partners, Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance and Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association.
We are saddened to hear about the loss of AHLA member Best Western Pioneer Inn. We've also received reports The Plantation Inn was destroyed.
Right now, Maui hotels are at capacity. West Maui’s hotels will be unable to host guests until basic infrastructure can be repaired or replaced. Our state partners are working with the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism to identify hotel properties with occupancy on O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island, and Kaua‘i. They are receiving residents and travelers who evacuated Maui.
To our AHLA member hotels across the State of Hawai‘i, please contact HHA and HLTA if you can help in this effort.
For our AHLA members across the country, you can contribute to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, which has already raised more than $1 million in relief funds.
For the latest information from Hawai‘i officials, follow the governor’s Facebook page, which has been streaming press conferences every few hours.
Thank you all for your support and generosity.
WASHINGTON (Aug. 9, 2023) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance, is working with the State of Hawai‘i to support relief efforts in West Maui following devastating wildfires fueled by Hurricane Dora.
“We’re trying to keep the lines of communication open to Lahaina and other parts of West Maui and the greater island," said Jerry Gibson, President of the Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance.
Most hotels are working off diesel generators, which will need refueling. Access to the area is limited, and hotel properties are working to support the safety and basic needs of their employees, guests, and the West Maui community.
AHLA and HHA have been in communication with the Governor’s Office, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, and relevant state and county officials to coordinate our response.
“We are monitoring this situation across the State of Hawai‘i, and we are in communication with our hotel community. Given the state is discouraging nonessential travel into Maui, we encourage guests with pending travel to rebook at a future date,” said Chip Rogers, President & CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
The AHLA and HHA membership is working feverishly to free up rooms on O‘ahu for displaced Maui residents and guests evacuating the island. This effort is being coordinated through the State of Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.
Officials are utilizing hotel resources like ballrooms, equipment, and personnel to support the relief efforts. Our hotels are helping with the quick and safe return home for our Maui guests on nonessential travel.
“This is devastating,” said Kekoa McClellan, who represents AHLA, HHA, and several of Maui’s largest hotel owners. “As an industry, we are leaning into this and doing everything we can to support Maui Nui and our ‘Ohana dealing with this crisis.”