'Maui is open, Lahaina is not' Residents describe mixed feelings about tourism

ABC News’ Melissa Adan spoke to a Maui family frustrated with the rescue efforts while understanding the need for tourism, and the general manager of the Maui Ocean Center hoping for business.

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[PollyAlice]

When I first visited Maui in the 1970’s, they were just building the Sheraton, up the beach by Lahaina. Returning in the ‘80’s, the beach there was unrecognizable due to all of the resort hotels built up, bringing in dollars for sure, but even then, bringing frustration to native families being impacted by the overdevelopment and the draw on resources.
We wouldn’t think of going to Maui at this time. We are sending money to the Red Cross for the Maui Fire Victims and to the Maui Humane Society, and looking to see how much more we can send soon.
Please. Do not go to Lahaina and do no take pictures of what is now holy ground containing the remains of human beings. Enough pictures have been taken by the media. Offer the respect, help, and kindness that you would want shown to your family trying to survive through a tragedy like this.

[Sanity]

I just came back from Hawaii with my husband and 3 year old. I do agree that no tourists should be traveling to Lahaina right now.

[princessbuttercup]

How do you go on vacation and enjoy yourself when you know just down the road people are searching through ashes for loved ones? How can anyone be so awful??

[YishEyeYo]

Perhaps Maui needs to be less dependent on Tourism.

[raulmedina]

It’s common sense to keep tourist out of Lahaina 100% agree be but respectful, it goes both ways, it will take time but Lahaina and the people will need time to heal. Wish you guys the best we ❤ Maui and the people there

[ThePepsg]

Lahaina is one town im proud to visit and i will always remember it as a beautiful town ❤️ please respect the locals and there families

[Audiogeek-kfez]

Jason is a class act. I have so much empathy for these very proud and hard working people. The BS banning natives is unlawful. All commerce should stop. And FEMA money must make these people whole

[ChrobregoPoznan]

It's a US state. I understand people feeling emotional, but no-one has the right to tell anyone to 'keep out' except the government.

[TheOnlyZiTRO]

There is PLENTY to see on Maui without bothering people in Lahaina. Stay away from Lahaina and enjoy the rest of the island, its that simple...

[EasyEV]

This story is saying the fire was on August 9th. It was on August 8th in the afternoon.

[rubberband]

Cancelled my trip and won't be going to Maui again. Love that Jason Momoa tells everyone to stay away from Maui, yall can blame him.

[Idontcarewhatyouclaim]

😢keep TOURISTS OUT! That town needs to heal. That community is still picking up the pieces of their lives. Let them heal. Tourists need to be sent elsewhere

[jilliebean]

Why is there no one helping Lahaina rebuild I Hawaii.

[choua]

Agree, help resident first, recover body first before tourist needs. Tourist needs to give Maui time to heal and recover first

[islandboy]

It's tourism that built Lahaina town, and it's tourism that's going to build it back strong.
It's tourism that saved the Hawaiian culture. 
I remember when I was a second grader, when they were teaching the Hawaiian culture in our schools. But the following year, they removed the teaching of the Hawaiian culture from our curriculum. It wasn't until I was in my early 20s that tourism started to grow once again, and it was the tourists that wanted to know more about the Hawaiian culture and to experience the Aloha Spirit of its people. 
It's my opinion that it was tourism that saved the Hawaiian culture and helped it to thrive once again. With tourism, the economy grew, created many new jobs, and kept many of our children from moving away. 
Let's face it, Maui needs tourism to survive; otherwise, Maui will die.
I grew up on Maui in the early fifties. It was wonderful to have experienced island life back then, but times have changed. Maui is truly a tropical paradise and it will remain to be that paradise for all who live there, and visit.

[maxinewest]

Prayers for the Hawaiian people in that area, and hopefully they will find a place to live soon.

[tanemanalive]

Kia ora to Lahaina Maui Hawaiian families ...from Aotearoa, New Zealand Northland KVF...
Respect Western area of Maui, survivors of families who perished in the fires asking Tourist to stay out of these areas, dont take photos of destroyed homes, dont take photos of ocean where families died in the water trying to flee the fires, these areas shouldnt be entered, its a desecration to the spiritual connection these areas hold, & should not be disturbed until the families recover the remains of their loved ones who perished... please respect these areas, respect their families, respect their dead relatives...
❤❤❤

[icebiker]

Go to Hawaii, spent money, support the economy. Just don't be a jerkass and try to see the devastation in Lahaina. Treat people with the respect you would want, even if they are less respectful to you. You don't know what they have experienced. At least, they will have a good impression of you, and you won't be adding to the negativity that is endemic in American society now.

[bonniecollom]

Aloha 🌺
Why are we asking the tourist to not come ?
Careful what you say.
Mahalo 💕🤙

[pepepiedone]

"visit, spend, go home" - they are telling you how to spend your money - such of lack of empathy for all the work and saving to be able to reach Hawaii - and then they ask for your empathy.
Sure, I feel sorry for all the people that suffer because of the fires and I am willing to help to donate and help those people recover right until the moment when you hear the hate and the lack of empathy for your own work and life.