Following the destructive wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, residents criticized tourists for vacationing on the island while they grappled with the aftermath.
Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
On August 8, wildfires erupted in Lahaina, Maui, a town with a rich history and a population of approximately 12,000. The fires, fueled by winds from Hurricane Dora, ravaged the town and destroyed the majority of homes and businesses. The death toll from this natural disaster has exceeded 100, with thousands still reported missing, according to NBC.
In the aftermath, local residents faced the additional burden of tourists vacationing on the island. This sparked criticism as some felt that the presence of tourists hindered the recovery process.
Videos shared on TikTok, including those by @kayafromhawaii, depicted tourists snorkeling near a tour boat near Lahaina on August 11.
Maui Snorkeling, a tour company, issued an apology on its website following the circulation of the video on social media. While it has not been confirmed if Maui Snorkeling owns the boat in the footage, the company expressed regret for conducting a tour that took place “no closer than 11 miles away” from Lahaina on the morning of August 11. Furthermore, they stated that the tour was organized to raise funds for Maui Food Bank.
The statement shared by Maui Snorkeling emphasized their commitment to not further contribute to the suffering of those who have already experienced significant losses. Consequently, they have temporarily suspended their operations.
In an email to Insider, a representative for Maui Snorkeling shared a statement from Mark Elmore, President of Maui Snorkeling. Elmore clarified that their company did indeed conduct a half-day trip on August 11. However, he confirmed that the $10,000 raised from the tour was donated to the Maui Food Bank for Lahaina fire relief. Elmore acknowledged that the company received online feedback during the trip, indicating its inappropriateness.
Since then, Elmore stated that their company’s boat has been collaborating with another vessel to transport essential supplies, including water, gas, bedding, clothing, shelters, and supplies for babies and pets, to aid the affected people in Lahaina.
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