Hawaii Travel Made Easy Podcast—Hawaii travel tips, Things to do in Hawaii, Hawaii vacation planning
Hawaii Travel Made Easy is the ultimate Hawaii travel podcast for families and first-time Hawaii visitors looking to plan a stress-free and unforgettable Hawaii vacation. Hosted by a seasoned Hawaii travel expert, this show delivers essential Hawaii travel tips, Hawaii vacation planning advice, and insider insights to help you navigate the Hawaiian Islands with confidence.
Marcie Cheung is a certified Hawaii destination expert by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, runs the popular Hawaii family travel site Hawaii Travel with Kids, and has visited Hawaii more than 40 times.
Whether you're dreaming of your first trip to paradise or planning your return visit, each episode provides budget-friendly recommendations, cultural insights, and must-know Hawaii travel guide information to make your Hawaii vacation planning simple and stress-free. From choosing the right island to finding hidden gems, we'll help you create the perfect Hawaii experience!
New episodes drop every Monday & Wednesday!
Hawaii Travel Made Easy Podcast—Hawaii travel tips, Things to do in Hawaii, Hawaii vacation planning
What Maui Locals Want You to Know: Post-Fire, Post-Storm, and Why You Should Still Go— Ep 94
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Should You Still Visit Maui? A Local’s Take After the Lahaina Fire and Kona Storm
Host Marcie addresses listener concerns about whether it’s a good time to visit Maui after the August 2023 Lahaina wildfire and March Kona storm flooding and road damage by interviewing longtime Maui resident blogger and Maui Life Podcast co-host Liza Pierce. Pierce shares what locals want visitors to understand: learn basic Hawaiian values such as aloha as a way of life, malama the land (including packing out trash), respecting wildlife like turtles and nēnē, honoring kupuna, and practicing kōkua through helping and giving. She notes common visitor missteps like driving too slowly, forcing pidgin, and seeking “hidden” or kapu spots. She encourages supporting local businesses and explains Lahaina’s Front Street remains closed while surrounding areas, restaurants, and Old Lahaina Luau are open; visitors should not tour the burn zone. Pierce says most areas have recovered from the Kona storm, with detours and reopened roads.
00:00 Maui's Recent Challenges
01:10 Meeting Liza Pierce
02:24 Liza's Maui Journey
04:30 From Mommy Blogs to Hawaii
06:08 Understanding Hawaiian Culture
10:49 Tourist Mistakes to Avoid
16:05 How to Be a Good Visitor
18:20 Supporting Local Businesses
18:58 Lahaina Today
22:03 Skip the Burn Zone
22:37 Kona Storm Damage Update
23:57 Road Closures and Detours
26:08 Should You Cancel Your Trip
26:43 Birthday Trip Storm Gamble
30:53 Resilience and Real Help
34:08 Social Media Info Overload
36:04 Leave Maui With Gratitude
37:48 Where to Find Lisa
41:02 Planning Resources and Wrap
Guest: Liza Pierce, A Maui Blog / Maui Life Podcast
Who this episode is for: Anyone with an upcoming Maui trip who's unsure whether it's the right time to visit, given the 2023 Lahaina fire and the more recent Kona storm.
What you'll learn: What longtime Maui residents want visitors to understand about respectful travel, the current status of Lahaina and Front Street, Kona storm recovery, and how to decide whether to still go.
Places discussed:
- Lahaina (Front Street remains closed; surrounding areas, restaurants, and Old Lahaina Luau are open)
- Maui (general storm/road recovery status)
Activities discussed:
- Practicing malama (caring for the land, including packing out trash)
- Respecting wildlife (turtles, nēnē)
- Supporting local businesses
- Avoiding the Lahaina burn zone
- Navigating current road closures and detours from Kona storm damage
Guest recommendations (Liza Pierce):
- Learn basic Hawaiian values before visiting: aloha as a way of life, malama (caring for the land), respecting kupuna (elders), and kōkua (helping others)
- Pack out your trash and respect wildlife like turtles and nēnē
- Avoid common visitor missteps: driving too slowly, forcing pidgin language, and seeking out "hidden" or kapu (forbidden/sacred) spots
- Support local businesses actively during your visit
- Front Street in Lahaina remains closed, but surrounding areas, restaurants, and Old Lahaina Luau are open and welcoming visitors
- Do not tour or seek out the burn zone — this is disrespectful and not appropriate tourism
- Most areas have recovered from the Kona storm, with detours and reopened roads in place
- Don't rely solely on social media for current conditions — it can create information overload and outdated impressions
- Leave Maui with gratitude, mindful of what the community has been through
Related Hawaii Travel Made Easy episodes:
- February Maui Trip Report (Ep 92)
- How to Plan a Trip to Maui (Ep 47)
- What You Need to Know About the Road to Hana (Ep 31)
Guest links:
About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories.
Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com
Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation
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