We're entering into the shoulder season of Hawaii tourism, as summer vacations end and before the holidays begin! Live celebrations and events are back in full swing, like the Festivals of Aloha taking place throughout September and October. Overall, travel enthusiasm remains high for American travelers.

We're excited to see unemployment continue to drop on Maui! As of July, Maui is at a 4.2% unemployment rate, which is a 3% decrease from 2021. The largest sector making hires right now is Leisure & Hospitality, primarily in Food and Beverage establishments. This ignites hope that those long restaurant lines and issues with service will lessen more and more as local eateries work towards staffing up to meet the high demand. 

On that note, it is worth mentioning that Hawaii is trying to ensure that the islands continue to be a destination where the local population can benefit from the tourism industry just as much as visitors do. Hawaii Tourism Authority launched their Mālama Hawaii campaign in 2020 in an effort to balance the impacts of tourism in Hawaii's communities through the principles of regenerative tourism. You will now likely see these efforts from the very start of your travel experience through confirmation emails from your hotel, videos shown on the airplane, and signage throughout the airport. We fully support this move towards mindful travel and giving back to the land you visit.  Please educate yourself and your loved ones and understand that when you visit our islands you are visiting someone's home -- a home with a rich culture and sacred ancestral history -- not a theme park. Please help us spread aloha with respect for this beautiful island that we're blessed to call home.
 

We've had an eventful August!

• We set 7 records in August alone for the highest temperatures in Central Maui since 1996
  • Due to extreme drought conditions in Central and South Maui, Maui County’s Department of Water Supply is asking residents and visitors to conserve water.
• We had 2 big fires, one in Kahului destroying 9 acres and one in Ka'anapali/Honokowai destroying 80 acres! We need some rain.
• Electrical power went out across the entire island on August 22nd for 7 hours caused by a high-voltage short circuit in Maʻalaea. Most schools got cancelled that day. Like a snow day but Maui-style.
• An illegal animal was discovered... a skunk was found in Central Maui! Skunks are prohibited in Hawaii as they are a primary rabies carrier (Hawaii is rabies-free) and a species not yet introduced into our fragile eco-system.
• And possibly the most exciting of all -- we are celebrating National Mai Tai Day on Tuesday, August 30th. Mahalo for the many submissions of your favorite Maui Mai Tais via Instagram. We'll be sharing a reel with many of your submissions on Tuesday!