VRMA Administrator
More than 90% of housing for residents displaced by the wildfires in Maui is being provided by the island's lodging industry thus far. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green disclosed on Aug. 14 that 1,962 housing units are now available to move residents out of shelters, including 402 hotel rooms and 1,400 Airbnb vacation rental units. Hawaii Hotel Alliance President Jerry Gibson reported that about 50 shelter guests were transferred to hotel rooms in West Maui on Aug. 13, which would reach about 300 the following evening. He added that West Maui hotels are hosting more than 700 hotel team members and their families free of charge. Although West Maui hotels have over 3,500 hotel rooms altogether, Gibson said they cannot operate at full occupancy because of worker shortages. Keith Vieira with KV & Associates, Hospitality Consulting, noted that Maui hotels already are seeing significant cancellations through year's end.
Honolulu Star-Advertiser (08/15/23) Allison Schaefers
