Mayor says West Maui to reopen to tourism on Nov. 1 after fire and workers are ready to return

Maui County's mayor says all of West Maui except for burned-out sections of historic Lahaina will reopen to tourism on Nov. 1. Maui has had impassioned discussions about when to welcome travelers back to the disaster-stricken region. Some residents drafted a petition opposing the return of tourists, saying the community wasn’t ready. Mayor Richard Bissen says workers are ready to return to their jobs while acknowledging that's not true for everyone. He says those who aren’t prepared to go back to work should talk to their employers and continue to seek the help and attention that they need. He says residents who have been staying in hotels after losing their homes won’t lose their lodging because of the reopening.