Come to Maui to Support Locals (P.S. flights are cheap right now)

If you saw my post the other day, locals of Maui are in need of your visits. Your dollars go toward helping people pay the bills, keep the lights on, put food on their tables, and pay the mortgage to keep their families rooted in Maui.

So in the interest of helping you get here ASAP, I've got a few helpful tips.

UPDATE: Alaska, Hawaiian, and Southwest offering deals right now!

Alaska is offering 40% off flights to Maui with the code MAUI40 until Oct 18. Southwest is offering a FREE companion pass for a flight between Jan 8-Mar 8, 2024 IF you buy a roundtrip flight to Maui for Sept. Hawaiian Airlines is offering one-way flights starting at $82 dollars. I've NEVER seen flights this cheap to Maui. EVER.

So please come visit and please consider staying at my condo! I've lowered the prices well beyond their normal price; on average, a nighly stay is $337, but right now there are nightly stays as low as $157. And most of September is $203/night.

You could come to Maui, get your accomodations, and a rental car for under $1000 right now. That's INSANE. Okay, now back to the original article.

How to Get the Cheapest Flights

Don't just use Google Flights. Check with Southwest Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, the two most competitive airlines out of OGG, Maui's international airport. Hawaiian Airlines has it's secondary hub out of OGG, which means it offers more flights (and therefore the ability to charge less) in and out of Maui. And while Southwest doesn't have a hub out of Maui, it recently positioned itself as a main competitor due to their business strategy of creating more flights in and out of less-popular airports.

Here's what Google's flights are costing now.

And here's what Southwest and Hawaiian are charging for flights during the same time period. Southwest is cheapest with their Low Fare Calendar coming in at under $300 one-way. At the time of this writing, my total including taxes and fees came out to $575.60 roundtrip from Seattle to Maui. Hawaiian is next cheapest with prices as low as $557 roundtrip, plus the fees and taxes on top of that (roughly $71). Google's total came to roughly $702 on the cheapest plus about that same $71 fee and tax add-on. These price differences carry over to September and October on average too. But as flight costs are always changing, verify that before purchasing. BONUS: Hawaiian and Southwest currently offer no change fees if you have change your flight.

Now, because you're reading my blog at the time of this posting, I'll offer you a 15% discount to stay at my condo between now and November. Just inquire or instant book on VRBO. My desire is to get visitors visiting for the benefit of all who work in the tourism industry as well as others (as Maui's economy is officially roughly 40% visitor-generated!) Of course, it benefits me, too, to have you stay at my vacation rental.

But, I'll also point you to other reputable places to rent. All of the listings on Tropical Bound Condos are reputable with lots of reviews for you to read in case you want to check out other places. I have no affiliation with Tropical Bound, and they actually are a competitor, but I wanted to give you other options. Also, you can either book through AirBnb or VRBO (but make sure the listing has the proper licenses like mine does and good reviews so you don't end up having the host cancel your booking on you a week before you arrive. See the highlighted licenses below for my condo.

Where to Get Accomodations

Finally, you can book through one of the many resorts or hotels on the island which employ locals, of course.

Where to Book Your Rental Car

Hands down, I'm going to recommend Kihei Renta Car, because it isn't a huge chain like Alamo, Hertz, Sixt, etc, but stricly a Maui family-owned business. And they are highly reputable and very affordable, though they won't have luxury cars. For that, see the airport chains. But, even if you do rent with the usual airport rental agencies, they employ local islanders. Just be sure you check the reviews. Also, there's a third option: Turo, the car sharing site. These cars will all be owned by locals, and while Turo takes a small percent of the booking fee, the meat of the rental price will go to a Maui family business. Again, read the reviews.

Where to Book Experiences

There are so many businesses trying to get bookings because visitor rates have dropped off. Pay attention to the pink line in the graph below. That's the current domestic passenger count, also known as how many visitors are coming in daily from the mainland. Big yikes.

As a result of this rate drop off, there are so many businesses trying to get bookings. Check out this list of experiences. Or do a driving tour yourself. That one is all of Maui, including a tour for Hana, Haleakala, South Maui, and more. Just remember that West Maui is closed (including Lahaina, Kaanapali, Napili, etc.) You won't be able to access it, unfortunately.

The other experience I highly recommend is service. Check out this running list/table of ways you can volunteer and donate while on island. Give back to Maui, and I promise it'll be a trip unlike any other. You will never forget serving Maui's people while you are on vacation. Service will bond you to this place and its people stronger than money can.

If Can't Come to Maui in the Near Future...

I'm going to be doing a series where I feature local and Kanaka Maoli (native Hawaiian) family businesses, some of which will sell merchandise you can get online. Look for that running list here.

However you turn out to support us (in-person or otherwise), I want to say mahalo nui on behalf of all my friends and family on the island of Maui. The Lahaina fires were devastating and will be for a long time to come. Likewise, we'll be feeling its economic repercussions for a long time, too. Your dollars and support really help to keep us going.

#MauiStrong always,

Jason Akinaka