Written by: Dennis O’Donnell

In some ways, the affects from the shock of the 2020–2022 pandemic are still being felt on Maui, but the resilient worldwide popularity of this island can be seen in the latest June statistics released by the (DBEDT) Department of Business Economic Development & Tourism

Visitor spending on Maui is way up (+29.8%), while the State saw a 93.9% recovery in visitor arrivals from pre pandemic levels.

But just as important, complementing the industry’s recovery is the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s community-based destination stewardship programs, which the agency says remain an important part of ensuring a regenerative tourism model prioritizes the needs of residents.

The program’s objectives are to:

• Increase understanding of appropriate behavior and respect for Hawaiian culture, natural resources, and the surrounding communities through positive visitor-steward interactions.

• Train stewards to share place-based mo‘olelo (history), mo‘omeheu (culture) and ho‘oulu (hope for the future).

• Emphasize safety and redirect visitors from dangerous land and ocean conditions to parks and beaches that are open for visitation.

• Minimize trespassing on private and government lands.

• Encourage visitors to pick up their ‘ōpala (rubbish) and leave the area better than when they arrived.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Reinvests $2.7 Million for Natural Resource Preservation, Perpetuation of Hawaiian Culture

The HTA has awarded 53 community-based programs $2.7 million in funding through its Aloha ‘Āina ($1.35 million) and Kūkulu Ola ($1.35 million) programs this year, to help preserve Hawaii's important natural resources and culture. The organization’s Aloha ‘Āina program funds community organizations and projects that work to preserve and regenerate the state’s natural resources and cultural sites, while its Kūkulu Ola program funds community groups and cultural practitioners to strengthen and preserve Hawaiian culture.

In Maui real estate news, RAM released the June 2023 Statistics showing that the island’s median Home price was down in June, but still more than $1M, while the Condo median shot up 21.9 % to $984K. The continued strong demand for the limited inventory of vacation rental condos was a contributing factor.

Hawaiʻi Off Grid moving state towards net zero building. Congratulations to David Sellers of Hawai’i Off Grid for being named Top Small Business in Maui County! Our Romvari Realty Team often recommends Hawai’i Off Grid to our buyers wanting a Feasibility Study, to help with due diligence of specific Maui properties. David and his team offer extensive, well-rounded expertise and have provided much peace of mind for many of our buyers.

“By Water All Things Find Life” is the tag line of Maui County’s Department of Water Supply. And no truer words have been spoken. When I was a Boy Scout growing up, we learned in Wilderness Survival merit badge that “you can live 30 days without food, but only 3 days without water”. I never forgot that. And as the mainland USA sizzles and bakes in an extraordinarily hot summer & drought, we here on the Valley Isle are taking a closer look at our own water supply. Read what vision and goals John Stufflebean, director of the County of Maui Department of Water Supply, is working towards. One of the missions is to get the whole Hotel Industry onboard to be way more water conscientious about conservation and over usage.

Maui athletes take top honors at 24th Molokaʻi-to-Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships. The grueling 32-mile downwind challenge across the dangerous Ka’iwi Channel (the channel of bones!) featured 250 top watermen and women from around the world, battling the elements in solo disciplines of prone paddle-board, stand-up paddle-board (SUP), SUP foil and wing.

THINGS To Do on Maui in August:

August 16 - Jake Shimabukuro & Friends Featuring Deana Carter. Jake Shimabukuro is anOahu-born ukulele virtuoso, known around the world for his lightning-speedukulele playing.

August 27 - Celebrate Hawaiian Honeycreeper Day at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. Learn about ongoing conservation efforts on Maui for the honeycreepers and the environments they call home.

“E hele me ka pu’olo”

(Make Every Person, Place or Condition Better Than You Left It, always.)

That’s a wrap on what has, is, and will be happening here on the Valley Isle.

Until next time, from all of us at Romvari Realty. . .a hui hou!