Maui travel now: what to know two years later

Published on Aug 20, 2025, 2:22 pm CDT

7 min read

Maui is welcoming visitors again, with a clear request to come respectfully. Tourism leaders say travel supports local jobs and recovery, while parts of Lahaina remain off limits as rebuilding continues. Resorts used the slowdown to refresh rooms and public spaces, and value deals are surfacing, especially beyond peak holiday weeks. Travelers will find volunteer options that give back, and a few new mid priced hotels in central Maui that stretch budgets further. Here is the state of Maui travel in August 2025, and how to visit thoughtfully.

Key Points

Why it matters: Visitor spending fuels jobs and recovery across Maui's communities.
Travel impact: Most of the island welcomes visitors, but restricted Lahaina zones remain closed.
What's next: Debris hauling and shoreline access are progressing, with longer term Front Street plans still in discussion.
Wailea resorts have completed renovations, adding refreshed rooms, lobbies, and cultural spaces.
Volunteer opportunities through Mālama Hawaiʻi connect travelers with conservation work.
Central Maui hotels offer new, more affordable options compared with peak resort areas.

Snapshot

Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority continues to encourage respectful visitation to Maui and the other islands, noting that only fire affected areas remain restricted. County updates show limited shoreline access restored near Lahaina Harbor, while clearly marked burn zone areas are still closed. Debris transfer from Lahaina to central Maui began in mid June, a milestone on the road to rebuilding. Wailea properties leaned into upgrades, including a completed lobby and cultural center transformation at Fairmont Kea Lani, and a 2024 guestroom refresh at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. Deals are easier to find outside the Thanksgiving to New Year window, with island wide offers aggregated by visitor bureaus. Most arrivals use Kahului Airport (OGG), the island's primary gateway, which recently expanded waiting areas for departing passengers. See our airport primer for practical details at Kahului Airport (OGG).

Background

After the August 2023 wildfires, respectful travelers paused plans as hotels housed displaced residents and local agencies focused on recovery. Messaging evolved over 2024 and 2025 as Maui reopened widely, with officials clarifying that visitors are welcome when they avoid restricted areas and support local businesses. State and county partners launched new marketing to restore demand, pointing to travel as a key pillar of Maui's economy. At the same time, the recovery in Lahaina continues, including care for the 151 year old banyan tree, a symbol of hope that remains in recovery. With arrivals still below 2019 levels, destination leaders paired promotions with Mālama volunteer opportunities, inviting visitors to participate in conservation, beach cleanups, and cultural stewardship. Resort districts such as Wailea refreshed guest offerings, while central Maui added capacity at lower price points.

Latest Developments

Resorts refresh Wailea stays, with cultural centers and room upgrades

Fairmont Kea Lani completed a multi year transformation that redesigned suites and villas, and reimagined its open air lobby with gardens and waterfalls. The resort also opened Hale Kukuna, a Hawaiian cultural center that brings classes and activities into the arrival experience. Nearby, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort finished a 2024 guestroom refresh timed to the property's tenth anniversary, updating lighting, furnishings, and finishes for a lighter, brighter look that reflects the coast. The resort continues to expand its villa inventory, including Hema villas described in Hyatt materials, bringing the complex to 320 rooms, 35 suites, and 30 villas. Together, these upgrades strengthen Wailea's position for high season while offering more flexible layouts for families and small groups.

Recovery milestones in Lahaina, with cautious reopening steps

Maui officials report steady recovery progress. Limited shoreline access reopened on the north and south ends of Lahaina Harbor on May 24, 2025, with barricaded zones still off limits and trespass laws enforced. County notices outline debris transfer operations that began June 16, 2025, moving material from Lahaina to central Maui for processing. The Lahaina banyan continues to recover under expert care, with community groups maintaining the grounds and adding seating. Visitors should avoid restricted areas, follow posted signage, and use the Lahaina Bypass when traveling to West Maui resorts. These steps illustrate forward motion, even as longer horizon decisions about Front Street and surrounding historic blocks continue.

Deals, timing, and new mid priced stays in central Maui

With arrivals still below pre pandemic peaks, visitor bureaus launched a special offers push and a $6 million campaign to restore demand. Offers range from free nights to waived fees, available across hotels and activities, with additional Mālama packages that pair volunteer work with discounts. For value seekers, central Maui adds options like the newly opened Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore in Kahului, joining long running staples such as Maui Seaside Hotel. Pricing is most favorable outside peak periods, so travelers chasing budget rates should avoid Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, then look to spring or late summer shoulder weeks.

Analysis

The throughline in Maui's 2025 visitor strategy is balance. Officials are explicit that most of the island is open and eager to host, yet they keep restrictions in place where safety demands it. That clarity matters, because traveler hesitation often stems from uncertainty rather than a lack of goodwill. By pairing welcome messages with practical guidance, the island reduces friction, shortens the decision window, and channels visitation where it does the most good. The supply side is also adapting. Wailea's premium resorts now sell a stronger story, blending refreshed rooms with interpretive cultural spaces that deepen connection. Meanwhile, central Maui's new mid priced rooms absorb demand from cost conscious travelers who might otherwise skip the trip. Add in Mālama Hawaiʻi opportunities, and you get a blueprint for responsible travel that contributes time, dollars, and respect. The remaining variable is pace. Recovery work in Lahaina will take years, so consistent messaging, on island wayfinding, and continued investment in community priorities will determine how quickly Maui closes the gap with 2019. Travelers who follow posted restrictions, tip generously, and buy local help speed that curve.

Final Thoughts

If you have been waiting for a sign, this is it. Plan your trip with intention, avoid restricted areas around Lahaina, and choose locally owned tours, shops, and restaurants when you can. Consider a Mālama activity to give back, then unwind at a refreshed Wailea resort or a budget friendly base in central Maui. Fly into Kahului Airport (OGG), check offers before you book, and steer clear of peak holiday weeks if savings matter. Done thoughtfully, your visit supports families, accelerates recovery, and reconnects you with an island that still delivers magic. It is the right time for Maui travel.