The return of tourists to Maui is welcome for an island who relied on them for 70 per cent of every dollar it generated. But in their absence, local people rediscovered their home for themselves.
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.In Maalaea Harbour, Captain Dani Kleinhenz stood on the bow of a 55-foot catamaran and greeted her passengers with an exuberant “Aloha!” In a race against the setting sun, she quickly launched into her pre-departure briefing. She shared the itinerary for the two-hour sail, described the drink specials and explained the inner workings of the onboard toilet. Then she paused, and her tone shifted.
“We’re taking heed of the warnings and staying in the appropriate places,” said Valerie Ramsey, a Californian on her honeymoon. “We definitely made this choice thoughtfully. We didn’t want to be jerks.” “Everyone is so affected and traumatised by the fires that it’s going to be very difficult to show that aloha spirit to tourists,” said Paula Martinez, the volunteer co-ordinator at Hua Momona Farms who was housing friends. “I think a lot of people come here with the expectation that the people in Hawaii are so nice. They’re so full of aloha. It won’t be shown like it was before.”
Some environmentalists are advocating for an annual “green fee” similar to the tax levied by Ecuador’s Galapagos National Park and the Republic of Palau. Nonresidents would pay $50 to access state parks and trails in addition to any preexisting reservation or user fees. Legislators failed to advance the measure this year, but many remain hopeful that the bill will be revived.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Indonesia’s fresh warning to Aussie tourists in BaliIndonesia is encouraging Aussie tourists to go beyond their usual Bali haunts in a new push to redirect tourists away from Bali and onto the country’s other islands.
Read more »
Matildas make keenly anticipated return with Paris Olympics on their mindsTony Gustavsson’s team are back in Australia for a round-robin tournament expected to attract sell-out crowds in Perth
Read more »
Plea to Aussies amid Bali tourism crackdownIndonesia is pleading with Australian tourists to not only respect local customs but explore beyond Bali.
Read more »
‘There’s still beauty’: a national park bounces back after California’s biggest single fireThe recovering ecosystem of Lassen Volcanic national park offers lessons on how to protect public lands in a climate crisis era
Read more »
Rare eastern osprey chick hatches on Tumby Island, outwitting egg-eating foxesThe new Tumby Island resident has been named Blythe
Read more »