What changed
In the aftermath of the August 2023 Lahaina wildfires, Maui County has taken action to convert some short-term vacation rental inventory back into long-term housing stock, given the severe housing shortage the fires created. The most significant move has targeted short-term rentals operating in buildings zoned for apartment use — a category that made up a substantial share of Maui's vacation rental supply, particularly in West Maui.
What it means for visitors booking a Maui stay
Some vacation rental inventory that was available before 2023 is no longer bookable as short-term accommodation, having been converted to long-term residential use or facing new restrictions on operating as a short-term rental. This has tightened supply in some areas and shifted more demand toward hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals in properties zoned specifically for visitor accommodation.
What this means practically
If you're booking a Maui condo or vacation rental, it's worth confirming the property is currently operating legally as a short-term rental rather than relying on an old listing — platforms don't always reflect the latest zoning enforcement in real time. See our vacation rentals guide for what to look for in a legitimate listing, and our Maui areas guide for how this affects specific neighborhoods.
The broader context
This is part of a larger, ongoing conversation in Hawaiʻi about the balance between tourism accommodation and resident housing needs, and Maui's rules have continued to evolve since 2023. For current, authoritative detail on any specific property's legal status, Maui County's own planning department is the right source — not a vacation rental platform's own claims.
Sources
- Maui County — official planning and housing policy updates