Maui Mayor Wants to Limit Tourists Arriving by Plane

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino says over-congestion at the airports, beaches and popular tourist destinations like the Road to Hana are troubling and creating a negative quality of life for Maui residents, so he’s requesting airlines send fewer travelers.

Mayor Victorino says the island has not had enough time to prepare for the tourism rebound, and in turn, those that work in tourism are suffering and unable to provide a high quality of customer service. He added that overcrowding at beaches is also starting to negatively affect Maui residents.

At least one Maui County Council Member, Kelly King, supports the mayor. She says there are so many cars on the Road to Hana and pulled over on the side of the road that it could become a problem if there is an emergency. They call it the “road” to Hana for a reason, there’s just one.

If the Mayor gets his way at a meeting with State airport officials later today, the available seats available to book to Maui could be restricted, therefore creating demand and causing ticket prices to skyrocket.

It’s not clear how Maui would handle travelers arriving in Honolulu or another island and flying inter-island to Maui.