Locals are reimagining the Hawaiian island’s travel industry.
But volunteering was a whole new experience, and one I had not considered until then.
On my trip, I met locals keen to reboot even reimagine the islands travel industry.
A coastal walk with Ambassadors of the Environment at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.Credit:Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Tourism is big business in Maui, where nearly 3 million annual visitors drive 40 percent of the economy.
By taking part in cultural experiences, we hope that visitors will gain a deeper appreciation for our island.
The significant goodwill that voluntourism generates belies the short hours typically required for any given session.
Kamahiwa Kawa’a, the director of Hawaiian Culture at Fairmont Kea Lani, shows guests how to pick ginger flowers for a lei.Trevor Clark/Courtesy of Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
Still, volunteering on vacation is not for everyone no judgment here.
(Damages are still mounting as the clean-up estimated to take a decade or longer continues.)
This has created an awkward clash in the West Maui resort enclave of Kaanapali.
Dancers perform “Tales of the Kapa Moe Lū‘au” at the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.Melia Lucida/Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Those really mean a lot.
Fellow passengers echoed their enthusiastic refrain, and even the crew joined in.
Thanks for being here, for being cool, and for hanging out with us, he said.
A carving demonstration at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua; guests participate in a hula demonstration at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.Randy Jay Braun/Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua; Tanveer Badal/Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
If you want to know how to support Maui right now, youre doing it.
The restaurants exterior and “Just like oxtail soup” at Tiffany’s Maui.Kevin J. Miyazaki/Courtesy of Tiffany’s (2)
