LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) The restaurant where Katie Austin was a server burned in the wildfire that devastated Hawaii s historic town of Lahaina this summer.
They want the economic boost tourists will bring, particularly heading into the year-end holidays. But some residents are struggling with the return of an industry requiring workers to be attentive and hospitable even though they are trying to care for themselves after losing their loved ones, friends, homes and community.
Hawaii's governor and mayor invited tourists back to the west side of Maui months after the Aug. 8 fire killed at least 100 people and destroyed more than 2,000 buildings.