25 Aug 2023

Maui locals want to see the return of tourists

From , 6:01 am on 25 August 2023
Lots of crosses are attached by local residents to mourn the victims on a hill overlooking Lahaina, the western part of the Maui island, which has been devastated by wildfire, in Maui, Hawaii, United States on August 22, 2023.( The Yomiuri Shimbun ) (Photo by Hiroto Sekiguchi / Yomiuri / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP)

Lots of crosses are attached by local residents to mourn the victims on a hill overlooking Lahaina, the western part of the Maui island, which has been devastated by wildfire, in Maui, Hawaii, United States on 22 August, 2023. Photo: HIROTO SEKIGUCHI / YOMIURI / AFP

Locals on Maui are struggling financially from tourists cancelling their trip to the Hawaiian island.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire that engulfed Lahaina about a fortnight ago, many locals were upset at the sight of tourists snorkeling and having fun. 

But attitudes are changing, and many locals want to see visitors come back. 

RNZ Pacific's Caleb Fotheringham has more.