Category: Hawaii Tourism News

Most tourists who had traveled to the island of Maui fell in love with the small harbor tourist town of Lahaina. When the devastating wildfire tore through Lahaina, on the west side of Maui, the travel and tourism industry, tour operators, and resorts were quick to help in any way they could. Local helicopter companies from around the state stopped carrying tourists on sightseeing tours and delivered food and supplies to... Read More

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) Board of Directors took decisive action today at its monthly board meeting to approve $2.6 million in funding to launch the Maui Marketing Recovery Plan, which is centered around a new Mālama Maui campaign and prioritizes rebuilding travel demand from the United States market to Maui in the wake of the devastating Lahaina wildfires. “We extend our deepest aloha to the Lahaina and Kula communities and stand... Read More

The hospitality sector has made an initial pledge of $125,000 to help Maui recover the recent devastating wildfires. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) and the San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (SMGHA) along with Palms Casino Resort have made a contribution of $125,000 in support of the people of Hawaii as they endeavor to recover from devastating wildfires. This gift to the American Red Cross is the first... Read More

Taking a cruise ship to Maui is fun, and big business for cruise companies such as Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). A cruise line usually makes about $1.7 million after expenses on a full run. Making big money cruising in Hawaii is also good for tourism, but it does not always fully benefit the local community, local businesses, and specifically SMEs directly. It does generate tax revenue, so Hawaii Governor Green is... Read More

This removal and disposal marks the beginning of Phase 1 of clean up being done because of the wildfires that took place in Lahaina. For Phase 2 debris removal, the US Army Corps of Engineers will take over as the lead agency. Household hazardous material includes paints, cleaners, solvents, oils, batteries, and pesticides. Fuel from pressurized cylinders and tanks will be removed, and some empty containers (of fuel) will be marked... Read More

Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) has announced that it updated its flight schedule for fiscal year 2023 (FY2023) today. Beginning December 6, 2023, ANA will increase frequency on the Tokyo Narita – Honolulu, Hawaii route once again, from 10 weekly round trip flights to 14. All round trip flights on Tokyo Narita to Honolulu, Hawaii route will be operated by the specially painted “FLYING HONU” Airbus A380 super-jumbo aircraft featuring Hawaiian... Read More

Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been selected to conduct removal of debris from the Maui fires. Once the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed removal of hazardous household materials, phase 2 of the project can proceed with personal property being removed from the fire debris. More information about the debris removal process will be made available through Maui County in the coming... Read More

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) is currently installing nearly 30,000 linear feet of dust screen for the protection of highway users on Honoapiʻilani Highway (Route 30) and the Lāhainā Bypass (Route 3000). The Bypass road connects Kahului Airport, Kihei, and other main regions in Maui with the resort area after passing the destroyed city of Lahaina. If this fence is also meant to block any view of the town of... Read More

Hawaii Governor Josh Green, M.D., has announced a critical milestone in the Lāhainā wildfire response, with Tuesday’s closing of the last American Red Cross shelter temporarily housing the survivors of the deadly wildfires on Maui. On Tuesday, August 22, the last of the sheltered wildfire survivors staying in the American Red Cross shelter at South Maui Community Park Gymnasium in Kīhei, regaining privacy as they were transitioned to longer-term housing. Since... Read More

 The Hawaii Tourism Authority published the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report for July which shows revenue dipping compared to a year ago. The report indicates that revenue per available room (RevPAR) was down 6.6% when compared to July 2022. The average daily rate (ADR) was down 2% while occupancy was down nearly 4%. The survey included 155 properties representing 47,489 rooms, or 84.6% of all lodging properties with 20 rooms or more... Read More

Yesterday, US President Biden said from Nevada: My heart, my prayers, and my focus are on the victims of the Maui wildfires and their families. Jill and I are eager to meet with the brave first responders in Lahaina tomorrow, to spend time with families and community members, and to witness firsthand what will be required for the community to recover. Today the president spent 6 hours on Maui after a... Read More

FEMA continues coordinating federal response efforts in Hawaii, while also closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Hilary in the Pacific and other potential storms in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.  FEMA is coordinating closely with California and other states in the path of the storm and stands ready to provide support as needed. Those living in the path of Hurricane Hilary should take steps now to prepare for the impacts of... Read More

Hawaii has always been a little different from the rest of the United States of America. This U.S. State is known for imperfection, but it’s even more known for people who care, have a big heart, and have unspeakable beauty inside and out. The word aloha alone sells this unique travel destination that is also home to a different breed of American citizens, often setting a positive example in the rest... Read More

Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator confirmed the sirens were purposely not sounded for the Maui fires, and he’d do it again. MEMA (Maui Emergency Management Agency) Administrator Herman Andaya said: “The sirens  … are used primarily for tsunamis. And that’s the reason why many of them are found, almost all of them are found, on the coastline. The public is trained to seek higher ground in the event that the siren... Read More

In the days since President Biden declared a major disaster declaration for the state of Hawaii, FEMA has approved more than $5.6 million in assistance to nearly 2,000 households including more than $2.3 million in initial rental assistance. Search and rescue teams remain on the ground to assist with efforts and are working diligently to ensure all properties are meticulously searched and any victims and personal property are handled with the... Read More