Maui County to Offer Coupons for Feet Shots?

Responding to criticism that the county's response to the pandemic so far has been reactionary, officials are considering new ways to keep people from gathering together, without being punitive.

Atop the list of several new concepts is offering discount coupons to Maui attractions for visitors who take only "feet shots," an angle for landscape and sunset photos that are gaining in popularity.

"We need to entice visitors to enjoy the Valley Isle on their own, and if possible avoid getting too close to other people even if that includes their family or friends," said Chuck Escuela, a public health official with the County of Maui.

"A lot of feet shots go viral on social media, so they are becoming quite popular," Escuela said. "And, most importantly, they can be taken alone."

Local photographers applauded the idea.

"Feet shots are underrated, man," said Sony Cherboten, a professional photographer on the island for 30 years, based in Paia. "You don't have to ask someone else to take a picture of you in front of a beautiful backdrop. And making the Maui scenery the dominant feature in photos is much better than group shots of drunk people draped all over each other."

The coupons would be good for discounts to attractions like Mama's Fish House, Haleakala sunrise summit reservations, or at hot social spots like Fleetwood's on Front Street in Lahaina.

"The program can be as big and as popular as the quality of coupons we can provide," Escuela said. "The more restaurants, hotels, and businesses that offer them, the more feet shots we'll see, which should help the island finally rid this formidable foe."

Another idea is to offer tourists "Get Out of Ticket Free" cards, in case they get caught in any of the numerous quota-driven speed traps by Maui Police Department around the island.