It was 6:30 a.m. and I was heading out on a sunrise jog on the West Maui coast with Brad Kukral, the running ambassador for the Westin Maui Kaanapali resort. Our group of early birds included casual runners like me and a few others who were more serious about the sport. Fortunately Kukral, a seasoned marathoner and a resort bartender, set an easy pace on the paved beach path that traces this scenic coastline.

As we ran steadily north from the resort, the morning light caught the mountaintops of neighboring Lanai and Molokai islands across the Pailolo and Auau channels to the west. Lacy ocean waves gently lapped the shore and a few moored excursion catamarans bobbed placidly in the calm, windless conditions.

To the east, the West Maui mountains were draped in mist and low-lying clouds, backlit by a rising sun. It was Maui’s morning magic at its best: quiet, serene and breathtakingly beautiful.

Reaching the Sheraton Maui Resort, set on the jagged, volcanic Puu Kekaa (aka Black Rock) promontory, we maneuvered around a few buildings to transition from South Kaanapali Beach to North Kaanapali (aka Airport) Beach. Just past the historic Kekaa landing pier, I watched a family of sea turtles surface just offshore, raising their heads above the water as they commuted to their favorite feeding spot.

The most extraordinary thing about this morning jaunt along the beach was the emptiness of it all. Just a handful of people passed us on the path, and the long expanse of Kaanapali sand was almost devoid of strollers, beachgoers and swimmers.

Since I visited West Maui post-pandemic and about eight months before the fires, and busy Wailea in South Maui in February, this emptiness was indeed a strange sight: Kaanapali beaches and pathways are almost always busy with walkers and runners enjoying morning wellness rituals and fresh air.

But not today and, most likely, not in the near future, as the impact of the devastating fires that destroyed much of the nearby town of Lahaina last summer continues to affect the West Maui region and the island as a whole.

The fires dealt a serious blow to Maui’s economy, and thousands of Lahaina locals lost their homes, businesses and jobs. Almost 100 residents lost their lives. “When is the right time to visit Maui again? What is the best way to help?” Hawaii travelers asked themselves as tourism slowed to a crawl.

In March, the go-ahead signal came from Hawaii’s state and Maui’s county governments, and from the islanders, too. Spread the word, they said: “Makaukau Maui,” or “Maui is ready” in the Hawaiian language.

And while the physical, economic and emotional recovery of Lahaina and its community will take many years, perhaps decades, there really couldn’t be a better time to visit West Maui, where most resorts and hotels are open again and welcoming visitors with the aloha spirit. Better yet: Most Kaanapali resorts are offering discount pricing and enticing packages — a rarity in the islands, especially on Maui.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa Kaanapali >> My deluxe digs were high up in the fabulous, 217-room Hokupaa tower. The recently remodeled Hokupaa rooms provide wide ocean views and exclusive access to a club level called The Lanai, a great place to enjoy a drink. The club’s shallow pool with in-water chaise lounges is a dreamy place to enjoy a sunset and drinks crafted by expert mixologists. Breakfast and dinner pupus are included, and all-day snacks and nonalcoholic drinks are also provided.

The Westin Maui is putting the finishing touches on a propertywide, multimillion-dollar makeover that includes the redesigned Kukahi Tower and the debut of Hana Hou by Westin — a 10,000-square-foot social center with arcade games, two Topgolf swing suites, and a bar and lounge. It’s the first amenity of its kind at a Hawaiian resort and is slated to open this month. The Westin Maui also recently launched Ulu Kitchen — a breakfast, lunch and dinner spot in partnership with acclaimed Hawaiian chef Peter Merriman (be sure to check out the monkeypod mai tai flapjacks with Kula rum butter syrup, honey lilikoi foam and the saimin-style “Cure” for breakfast, the ahi poke bowl for lunch and the delicious grilled macadamia nut mahimahi for dinner.)

The Westin also boasts one the best oceanfront pool complexes in Kaanapali, with a large kids pool with two open-air slides, and several quieter pools, one with a waterfall and two others for adults only. A small infinity pool has a sandy bottom to wiggle your toes in while soaking in the view. Numerous poolside cabanas offer waterside privacy for an extra charge. The resort offers a unique RunWestin program for runners as well as a daily yoga sessions for those who love to stretch and pose.

Details >> marriott.com

The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa >> In a spectacular location at the far northern end of Kaanapali Beach, the Sheraton is committed to supporting its associates and neighbors who are still healing, and to providing travelers a myriad of ways to support the Maui economy by buying local, volunteering, and donating to those affected. In pursuit of these goals, Sheraton Maui Resort launched three new offerings, including a “Return to Maui” package with a donation earmarked for each stay, a “Malama at Your LEI-sure” fundraising initiative in collaboration with a local artist, and “Discover More of Maui” with enhanced programming about local artisans and island destinations. Stroll the Kaanapali path to the Sheraton around sunset to enjoy the hotels’ Hawaiian music and hula shows and the traditional Lele Kawa cliff-diving ceremony at Puu Kekaa every evening.

Details >> marriott.com

Outrigger Kaanapali Beach Resort >> Newly acquired by Outrigger Resorts & Hotels, and with a recently remodeled wing of premium rooms, the property formerly known as the Kaanapali Beach Hotel offers one of the best values in the area.

A team of cultural practitioners provides guests with Hawaiian cultural experiences, including kukui nut lei-making, hula, and bamboo stamp-making workshops, and classes in Olelo, the Hawaiian language. Class are held at the Kawenaokeao Cultural Center in the lobby, and sizes are limited.

Facing the beach and ocean, the breezy space that once housed the resort’s Hui Hui restaurant is now an outlet of the family-friendly Maui Brewing Co., a great place to enjoy a few cold, locally made brews and pub fare like fish tacos and seared ahi tuna salad, and, of course, take in the unforgettable West Maui sunsets.

Details >> outrigger.com

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa >> A huge resort with 779 rooms and 31 suites at the far south end of the Kaanapali Beach path. The resort’s six pool areas and a swim-up grotto bar are closed for renovations. The resort has launched Nashville Nights, a songwriters series featuring a stellar lineup of talented artists from the Music City, once a month for the next five months. The inaugural show took place April 27 with Gracee Shriver and Noel Bisesti.

A “Tour of the Stars” is led by astronomy director Eddie Mahoney and allows guests to experience Maui’s clear skies with a night of stargazing and a rooftop astronomy program, held nightly at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. Astrophotography workshops are available by request.

Details >> hyatt.com

Westin Maui Resort & Spa Kaanapali >> The resort’s Wailele Luau takes you on a journey through Hawaiian history as the performers chant and dance hula while you have a traditional island-style dinner with dishes such as lomi lomi salmon, ahi poke and slow-roasted kalua pig, plus unlimited drinks. When the sun sets, the performance culminates in an awe-inspiring fire knife dance.

Details >> westinmauiluau.com

Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa >> Maui Nui Luau: You can discover the stories, history and culture of the Valley Isle and Kaanapali through the songs and dances of Maui and the Pacific. Situated on the beach, the Maui Nui Lu’au shares the music, dance and history of the islands right here at the foot of the famous cliff diving point, Black Rock.

Details >> sheratonmauiluau.com

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa >> “Drums of the Pacific”: A beautiful oceanside venue offers traditional song and dance, an authentic imu ceremony, a three-course dinner and open bar featuring island cuisine and local spirits, and a three-man Samoan fire knife dance finale.

Details >> drumsofthepacificmaui.com

Royal Lahaina Resort >> The “Myths of Maui” immerses guests in captivating moolelo, or legends, of Hawaiian mythology through a colorful array of song, dance, traditions and cuisine. It starts with a buffet of Hawaiian dishes, including Kalua puaa slow-roasted pig in an imu, or underground oven. Hula dancers take the stage, sharing the stories of the demigod Maui and his heroic feats. A journey across Polynesia is told through traditional song and chants, concluding with a fire knife performance.

Details >> mythsofmaui.com

The Kaanapali Golf Courses offer 36 holes, including a limited time nine-hole Kai course option with views of the Pacific and the West Maui Mountains. The nine-hole course features holes 1, 4-6 and 14-18. After Saturday, the Kai course will resume operations as an 18-hole course.

Details >> kaanapaligolfcourses.com