Maui beckons tourists, and their dollars, to stave off economic disaster after wildfires

Richie Olsten has been in Maui's helicopter tour business for a half century, so long he's developed a barometer for the tourism-dependent economy: rental cars parked at the island's airport. There are so many since wildfires killed 115 people in the historic town of Lahaina that Olsten is worried about a full-blown economic catastrophe. State tourism officials, after initially urging travelers to stay away, are now asking them to come back, avoid the burn zone and help Maui recover by spending their money.

Related Keywords

Hawaii ,United States ,Haliimaile ,Kahului ,University Of Hawaii At Manoa ,Honolulu ,Kaanapali ,Hollywood ,California ,San Diego ,Hawaiian ,Richard Bissen ,Jason Momoa ,Mufi Hannemann ,Gemma Alvior ,Graeme Swain ,Carl Bonham ,Richie Olsten ,Hawaii Tourism Authority ,Hawaii Lodging Tourism Association ,Council On Revenues ,University Of Hawaii ,Instagram ,Paycheck Protection Program ,Air Maui Helicopters ,Air Maui ,Hawaii Lodging ,South Maui ,Hali Imaile General Store ,West Maui ,Native Hawaiian ,Lahaina ,Aui ,