I've only been to Maui a few times, but I really love it there. The human and economic toll will likely not be estimable for weeks, but with the current macroeconomic conditions, I wouldn't be surprised if their entire economy in serious trouble for years.
Sorry Matt, I am not clear what you mean by this. It appears to me that the hospitality sector is booming like never before. Hotel prices are extremely high everywhere. What do you mean by "current macroeconomic conditions"? High interest rates?
I do mean rising interest rates. Rebuilding will be much more expensive than it would have been two years ago.
While the main row of resorts seems to have been spared, Lahaina was the beating heart of that area. Where will the employees from move when there is already a housing crisis? Will tourists want to vacation in what will almost certainly be a gigantic construction zone? Many of the reasons people go to that area (the harbor, excursions, and dining) are now gone.
There are other parts of the island, but Lahaina is the center of their tourist sector, and it’s obviously going to take years just to rebuild.