Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) on Thursday announced its upcoming return to Kahului, Maui, with the guidance and encouragement of the Maui community, Hawaii State Governor Josh Green and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.
NCL’s Pride of America, which has an 18-year history of cruising the Hawaiian Islands year-round, will recommence its weekly overnight calls to Kahului beginning September 3, 2023. Earlier this month, the cruise line paused its calls to Maui, to avoid stressing local resources due to the devastating wildfires in Lāhainā on the island’s west side.
Since pausing its calls in Maui, the line donated $50,000 to Maui United Way and, alongside its partners, collected and will be donating over $150,000 in supplies such as food, clothing and mattresses.
Said Gov. Green: "We appreciate the continued partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line, and the support it has recently provided to aid the recovery of the residents of Lāhainā. While travel to West Maui is restricted to returning residents and emergency responders, we are working with our tourism partners, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, and encouraging them to make a steady return to other areas of the island and throughout the rest of the state."
"The damaging effects of the recent wildfires to the Lāhainā community has been heartbreaking," said Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, chief brand officer of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. "As recovery efforts are underway, the island of Maui is dependent now more than ever on the return of mindful, respectful visitation, which keeps our residents employed and businesses open. We are encouraging travelers and visitor industry companies, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, to make a responsible return to the island, visiting the many areas that were not impacted by the fires and are welcoming travelers back."
To learn about the latest Maui emergency management and recovery information, visit www.mauistrong.hawaii.gov. For information about the areas of Maui that remain open and are welcoming visitors, visit www.gohawaii.com/maui.
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