Economic Activity Loses 12 Billion Won a Day... Hawaii Wildfires "Please Visit Us Now"

High Dependence on Tourism Leads to Livelihood Difficulties as Visitors Stop Coming
Self-Employed Say "Feels Like the COVID-19 Crisis Has Returned"
However, Severely Affected Areas Continue to Urge "Avoid Visits"

Residents of Maui Island in Hawaii, who suffered massive damage from the worst wildfires, appealed for tourists to visit the island again as the flow of visitors has stopped.

On the 30th (local time), according to local media, DJ Forest, who broadcasts locally in Wailuku on Maui Island, recently urged tourists to visit the island during a streaming show aimed at listeners outside the island.

He said, "Another way to help Maui" and urged, "Please come here." He added, "The Maui economy depends on tourism," emphasizing, "Staying far away now only worsens the problem."

Forest added that although the tragic scenes in the Lahaina area, which suffered concentrated damage from the wildfire, were widely reported in the news, other beautiful parts of the island were not burned and remain open for tourists.

Tourists Stop Visiting After Large Wildfire... "Feels Like the COVID-19 Crisis Has Returned"

In Lahaina, Hawaii, USA, which was ravaged by a large wildfire, houses and cars that were completely burned down on the 15th (local time) are marked with orange X signs. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

As tourists sharply decreased after the large wildfire, some self-employed business owners expressed economic difficulties. Sne Patel, who operates vacation rental accommodations in the resort-dense area around Lahaina, said, "It feels like the COVID-19 crisis has returned," adding, "No one is making money; everyone is just struggling to survive."

In fact, Maui relies heavily on tourism for most of its economy. The annual average number of visitors reaches 3 million, and last year, tourists spent a total of 5.5 billion dollars (approximately 7.271 trillion won) in Maui.

The Hawaii state authorities have not been able to determine how many tourists have visited Maui Island since the fire. However, residents estimate that the number is at best only a few thousand.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority estimated that economic activity losses in the West Maui area, including Lahaina, exceed 1 million dollars (about 132 million won) per day since the wildfire, and the total loss for the entire state amounts to 9 million dollars (about 1.19 billion won) per day.

"Do Not Go to Lahaina, the Major Damage Area"

On the 8th (local time), a large wildfire broke out on the island of Maui, Hawaii, USA, engulfing church and missionary buildings in flames. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Earlier, right after the wildfire, local residents urged tourists to refrain from visiting as tourists were seen enjoying nightlife near the damage sites.

At that time, a resident said, "Our people were dying in the sea, and the very next day tourists were swimming in the same waters," adding, "Local residents do not try to swim, snorkel, or surf here. No resident finds fun in this tragedy." However, it seems that local residents are now encouraging tourists to visit again as their livelihoods have become difficult.

Residents and authorities still emphasize not to approach Lahaina, the major damage area. Patel, a lodging owner in Lahaina, said, "Do not stay at the damage site; go directly to the resort you booked and stay only around the beach right next to the resort."

Meanwhile, multiple wildfires broke out simultaneously on the west coast of Maui Island on the 8th. More than 100 people died due to the wildfires, and the cost required for reconstruction is estimated to exceed 7 trillion won. Some claim that the large wildfire started due to a power line short circuit.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.