The Hawaiian Islands are famous for the “aloha spirit,” a concept that is rooted in native Hawaiian culture. But aloha has been commodified by businesses and resorts, which cater to tourists. Now, as locals on Maui recover from the devastation and trauma of the 2023 Hawaii fires, some are saying that they are fresh out of aloha for tourists. LA Times national correspondent Jenny Jarvie joined Lisa McRee on “LA Times Today” with the story.

Jarvie visited Lahaina recently, and she gave an update on the town’s recovery.

“The town is still really just rubble. Residents aren’t allowed back in and the National Guard are blocking roads. The schools have just reopened because they were higher up, sort of in the north of town. Even that is controversial with many parents and not sending their kids to schools because they’re worried about toxic fumes blowing up into the schools,” Jarvie said. “More than 6,500 people are living in hotels with Red Cross assistance outside the burn zone. And these are hotels that used to cater to tourists. So the whole question of tourists coming back is a sensitive one.”

The word “aloha” is used to say hello, goodbye or to show affection. Tourists may associate it with hospitality, but, Jarvie said, many locals only have enough aloha for their own families right now.

“The idea of pouring champagne and mixing Mai Tais with tourists at this time just didn’t seem right,” Jarvie said, adding that she spoke to a woman who’s a reservation agent for vacation rental companies that said “the idea of organizing or suggesting lomi lomi massages, snorkel cruises was just too much when she’s struggling to find an apartment.”

Still, some of the people Jarvie met are eager for tourists to come back to the island.

“I spoke to a Filipino immigrant that they know who runs a small kiosk selling puka shell necklaces, and she just said that she was thankful for the money. She wanted people to talk to, and she wanted to come back. Another woman I spoke to, another Filipino immigrant, works at the Ritz-Carlton, and she says, ‘We can’t survive without tourists, without business,’” said Jarvie. 

Jarvie shared that while rebuilding is underway, locals need more time to get their lives in order and figure out their next steps as they seek new homes.

Click the arrow above to watch the full interview.

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