Kiara AlfonsecaWest Maui began reopening Sunday to visitors just two months after a wildfire devastated the town of Lahaina.
The reopening did not come without outrage from some residents, many of whom signed a petition to delay the reopening as families continue to struggle to "find shelter, provide for their children s education, and cope with emotional trauma," according to the petition.
Homes have been flattened and are completely inhabitable. Businesses have been decimated. Some loved ones remain unaccounted for and residents have been grieving the loss of 97 people who died in the tragedy.
The petition has received more than 10,000 signatures.
The fact that tourism is resuming so soon around the outskirts of a town made unrecognizable by the wildfires has reignited an ongoing debate about Hawaii s reliance on tourism.
"There is just not a lot of activities like there usually is for these people to do, so a lot of people are wondering, why do they want to come
Hawaii's 'overtourism' becomes growing debate as West Maui reopens for visitorsKiara Alfonseca wttf.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wttf.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
West Maui began reopening Sunday to visitors just two months after a wildfire devastated the town of Lahaina. The reopening did not come without outrage from some residents, many of whom signed a petition to delay the reopening as families continue to struggle to “find […]