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There are so many since wildfires killed 115 people in the historic town of Lahaina that Olsten is worried about a full-blown economic catastrophe. The day after the fire, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, a quasi-state agency, said visitors on “non-essential travel are being asked to leave Maui” and that "non-essential travel to Maui is strongly discouraged." People shouldn't go to Lahaina or the surrounding West Maui area — “It’s not a place to stare," Bissen said — but the rest of Maui needs tourists. The Hawaii Tourism Authority drafted and publicized a map showing Lahaina and West Maui in relation to the rest of the island, highlighting just how much was still open. It's not clear, however, when travel to West Maui will resume.

Persons: — Richie Olsten, Olsten, Mufi Hannemann, ”, Graeme Swain, Mara, Swain, Hali'imaile, —, Gemma Alvior, they’re, “ Maui’s, Richard Bissen, shouldn't, Bissen, Jason Momoa, “, Carl Bonham, It's, Bonham, ___ McAvoy Organizations: Airlines, Maui Helicopters, Air, Pilots, Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, University of Hawaii, Hollywood, Hawaii Tourism Authority, ”, Revenues Locations: KAHULUI, Hawaii, Lahaina, State, Maui, South Maui, San Diego, U.S, West Maui, Hollywood, ”, Manoa, Kaanapali, Honolulu

☆ Venice entry fee will start next year
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Venice has finally revealed the details for its entrance fee, making it the first city in the world to charge daytripper visitors. But this isn’t a permanent move yet – the Venice authorities have committed to a 30-day “experiment,” according to mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who shared the news on Twitter/X. Daytrippers over the age of 14 entering the “old city” of Venice – the entirety of the lagoon city – will have to pay. Andrea Merola/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesPreviously, Venturini had announced that the entrance fee – which has been discussed since 2019 – would start in January 2023. Venice may be the first city to introduce a fee, but already one village in Italy has introduced a charge for daytrippers.

Persons: we’ll, Stanley Tucci, CNN —, they’re, Luigi Brugnaro, accesso, –, Simone Venturini, ”, Stefano Mazzola, Michele Zuin, Andrea Merola, Venturini, “ Covid, ” Venturini, it’s Ferragosto, Civita, Bagnoregio, Francesco Bigiotti, Venice’s Organizations: CNN, intel, “, Bloomberg, Getty, RAI, UNESCO Locations: CNN — Venice, Venice, Murano, Veneto, Tourism, Italy, ”

Lawsuits are piling up in court over liability for the inferno, and businesses across the island are fretting about the loss of tourism. Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier has repeatedly pleaded for patience as authorities try to verify who is missing, who has been accounted for and who has died. Among the lawsuits is one by Maui County accusing the utility of negligently failing to shut off power despite exceptionally high winds and dry conditions. On Monday the father of a 57-year-old woman who died while trying to escape the fire filed suit against defendants including Maui County, the state and Hawaiian Electric. The state said it was reviewing it, and Hawaiian Electric declined to comment.

Persons: Richard Bissen, Joe Biden, John Pelletier, Josh Green, “, ” ___, Sen, Brian Schatz, ”, Schatz, Green, Oprah Winfrey, Dwayne Johnson, ___, Jason Momoa, Steven Tyler, ” Tyler, ___ Johnson Organizations: Maui County Police, Police, FBI, Gov, Twitter, Hawaii Electric Company, Hawaii Electric, Electric, Representatives, Hawaiian Electric, Lawyers, Hawaii U.S, Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, . Environmental Protection Agency, Officials Locations: HONOLULU, Maui, Maui County, Lahaina, Hawaii, MAUI, Philadelphia, Seattle

☆ Airbnb listings in NYC to shrink as city cracks down on short-term rentals
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Marnie Hunter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Travelers looking to rent an apartment for a few days in New York City will find slimmer pickings now that city officials have started enforcing new rules cracking down on short-term rentals. Airbnb has called the rules a “de facto ban” on short-term rentals (STRs) that will hurt hosts and the tourism economy. The requirements for approval are strict and follow laws that pre-date the new registration rules. Hanson said that long-term average hotel occupancy in New York City is between 80% and 85%, well above the national average between 62% and 67%. Thousands of listings across various booking sites will be affected as the new registration rules are enforced.

Persons: Airbnb, ”, Christian Klossner, Andrew Lichtenstein, ” Theo Yedinsky, Bjorn Hanson, Jonathan M, Hanson, ” Hanson, ” Airbnb Organizations: CNN, Travelers, NYC’s, Special, Expedia, New York, Tisch Center of Hospitality, New York University, isn’t, Marriott, Hilton, CNN Travel, Local Locations: New York, “, York, New York City, “ New York

☆ Two people have been accused of using an excavator to destroy part of the Great Wall of China to create a shortcut
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Two people have been accused of destroying part of the Great Wall of China with an excavator. The pair reportedly wanted to create a path cutting through the Ming-dynasty portion of the wall as a shortcut, according to CNN. The damage has affected the structural integrity of that portion of the Great Wall, and it was "beyond repair," state-owned newspaper China Daily reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe earliest segments of the Great Wall, which stretches for over 4,000 miles across China, were first created in the third century BC. The damage to the Great Wall is this summer's latest example of a world-historical landmark facing purposeful damage.

Persons: Vespasian Organizations: CNN, Service, China . Police, China Daily, UNESCO, Smithsonian Magazine Locations: China, Wall, Silicon, Shanxi, Northeastern China

☆ Tesla shows off restyled Model 3 sedan at Beijing trade fair
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Tesla's new Model 3 sedan is seen displayed at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, China September 2, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Tesla (TSLA.O) showed off its restyled, China-made Model 3 sedan for the first time to the public at a trade fair in Beijing, after launching it a day before in several countries. The U.S. automaker displayed a flame red version of the car - marking the first change to its mass-market car line-up since it launched its global best-seller, the Model Y, in 2020 - at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). At the fair, Tesla sales staff answered questions from interested buyers. Tesla has also said it will show the new model at the Munich auto show, which opens on Tuesday.

Persons: Florence Lo, Guo, Tesla, Hu, Xiaoyu Yin, Jing Xu, Brenda Goh, Ros Russell Organizations: Fair for Trade, Services, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, United States, Shanghai, Asia, Europe, Munich

But five months later, the overall number of people filing refugee claims in Canada has risen instead of falling. But it has sought to discourage those applying for asylum, chiefly through an agreement with the U.S. under which each country turns back asylum seekers. Asylum seekers are drawn by Canada's reputation for swifter processing and greater acceptance of asylum applications compared to the U.S. But overall, the number of asylum seekers entering Canada has surged. People applying at airports comprised about a third of all refugee claims made in July, up from about 16% in March.

Persons: Shauna Labman, Joe Biden's, Craig Damian Smith, Remi Lariviere, Lariviere, Abdulla Daoud, Loly Rico, Hana Bakhit, Maureen Silcoff, Silcoff, Grace Nanziri, Anna Mehler, Denny Thomas, Deepa Babington Organizations: Reuters, Human, University of Winnipeg, U.S, European Union, Centre for Refugee Studies, York University, FCJ Refugee, REUTERS, Refugee Centre, FCJ, Thomson Locations: Canada, U.S, Toronto, Quebec, New York, United States, Mexico, Haiti, Turkey, Colombia, India, Rwanda, Montreal, Canada's, Sudan, Uganda

☆ Jimmy Buffett, legendary 'Margaritaville' singer, dies at 76
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Henry Austin | Phil Helsel | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Jimmy Buffett of Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band performs during the 2022 New Orleans & Jazz festival at Fair Grounds Race Course on May 08, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Jimmy Buffett, the singer-songwriter who drew millions of fans with his folksy tales of living and loving on tropical sandy beaches, frozen concoction in hand, died Friday night. But it was in Key West, Florida, in the 1970s that Buffett "found his true voice," according to his website. As time went on, Buffett also appeared on TV, movies and his work became a musical. There was also a Broadway show based on Buffett's music, " Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville," which debuted in 2017.

Persons: Jimmy Buffett, Jimmy, Buffett, Hank Williams, Alan Jackson, —, Jerry Jeff Walker, margarita, Tom Selleck, Jimmy Buffett's, Joe Merchant, Jane Slagsvol, Cameron, — Christopher Cichiello Organizations: Reefer, Orleans & Jazz, Forbes, Alabama's Auburn University, University of Southern, Billboard Magazine, Key West, University of Miami, Men's, Associated Press Locations: Orleans, New Orleans , Louisiana, Pascagoula , Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi, New Orleans, Nashville , Tennessee, Key West , Florida, South Florida, Margaritaville, Pitcairn, Savannah

☆ 4 Days, 690 Miles, Countless Stalls: Behold the ‘World’s Longest Yard Sale’
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Kendall Waldman | Photo Essay | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

To the visitor driving in from out of state, the 127 Yard Sale seems like a kind of Ironman for thrifters. The “world’s longest yard sale” is a test of endurance and attention. Spanning six states, 690 miles and thousands of stalls, it traverses dramatic landscapes, delicate cultural terrain and two time zones. The 127 Yard Sale is fluid, kinetic, alive. Driving down 127, I started to see “yard sale” signs long before reaching its northernmost point in Addison, Mich. We asked some guys at a gas station where they thought it started.

Persons: Mike Walker Organizations: thrifters Locations: Jamestown, Tenn, Covington, Ky, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio, Michigan, Addison, Mich

☆ It’s not just crime: What’s really going on with San Francisco’s shrinking retail district
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Mapping the exodusUnion Square has historically been a major commercial hub in the heart of San Francisco’s downtown. A complicated decline in downtownThe reasons for downtown San Francisco’s economic troubles are multi-faceted. In addition, San Francisco’s downtown has experienced a rise in its unhoused population. As San Francisco’s downtown area has emptied over the last three years, property crimes and retail thefts have risen, according to San Francisco Police Department data. Travel to San Francisco has yet to recover fully to pre-pandemic levels, according to data from San Francisco International Airport.

Persons: —, ”, Elon Musk, Tesla, Francisco, “, Lori Lincoln, San Francisco —, Lincoln, Breed, Alexander Quinn, Breed’s, Sarang Peruri Organizations: Los Angeles CNN, Lease, Google, city’s, Nordstrom, CNN, Westfield, San Francisco Centre, KGO, University of California, San Francisco Police Department, San Francisco International, San Francisco Travel, Tourism, San, Oxford Economics, Asia hasn’t, San Francisco Mayor London, Francisco’s, Oxford Capital Group, Ikea, IKEA Locations: Francisco’s, United States, San Francisco’s, Union, Westfield, San Francisco, San, California, Redfin, Palo Alto, Asia, Americas, Europe, Pacific, San Mateo, Lincoln, China, Downtown, Chicago

☆ Why Marcia Gay Harden Spends Her Time Off in Upstate New York
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Anna Kodé | More About Anna Kodé | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

“My mother said to always plant forsythia where people can see it, so it greets you, because it’ll be the first thing in bloom,” Ms. Harden said. Last fall, Ms. Harden, 64, wrapped filming on “Knox Goes Away,” a thriller with Michael Keaton and Al Pacino that will make its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. This fall, she is reprising her role as the acerbic reporter Maggie Brener in the third season of Apple TV’s “The Morning Show,” alongside Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. But while Ms. Harden, who won a best supporting actress Oscar for her role as Lee Krasner in the 2000 film “Pollock,” also has a home in Los Angeles, she spends most of her time off here in upstate New York. (This interview was conducted before the continuing strike by the SAG-AFTRA union.)

Persons: Marcia Gay Harden, “, it’ll, Ms, Harden, ’, “ Knox, Michael Keaton, Al Pacino, Maggie Brener, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Oscar, Lee Krasner, “ Pollock, ” Organizations: ATV, Toronto, Apple, SAG Locations: New York City, Mountaindale, Los Angeles, New York

AQUIFERS AQUIFERS AQUIFERS WASH. MAINE MONT. MONITORING WELLS MONITORING WELLS MONITORING WELLS WASH. MAINE MONT. FLA. DECLINING WELLS DECLINING WELLS DECLINING WELLS WASH. MAINE MONT. FLA. UNCHARTED WATERS America Is Using Up Its Groundwater Like There’s No Tomorrow Overuse is draining and damaging aquifers nationwide, a New York Times data investigation revealed. Groundwater level trends Rising Declining Groundwater level trends Rising Declining Groundwater level trends Rising Declining Groundwater level trends Rising Declining Note: Colors depict the median trend for each site over the previous 20 years.

☆ Maui business owners need tourism to survive, but say visitors should rethink how they use resources: 'It's not Disneyland'
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | Juliana Kaplan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Now, businesses say they need tourism to stay afloat and keep their workers employed. Kawakami said in the short term, though, local businesses need visitors to come back. But right now, local businesses need tourists in the short run to survive, and some told Insider that residents urging tourists to stay away were misguided. What locals say relief should look likeOn Thursday, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii said on Twitter that South Maui resorts "NEED visitors," adding "now we have housed virtually everyone, temporarily." AdvertisementAdvertisement"It was through the efforts of local community, not the government," Nakoa said.

Persons: Garrett Marrero, Marrero, Kyle Kawakami, Kawakami, COVID, we're, Kaniela Ing, " Marrero, Sen, Brian Schatz, Josh Green of, Green, Ing, Julia Tallman, Leonard Junya Nakoa, Nakoa, Tallman, She's, she's Organizations: Service, Maui Brewing Company, Maui Brewing, —, Green New Deal Network, Hawaii, Twitter, Maui Economic Development Board, New Deal Locations: Maui, Wall, Silicon, Lahaina, West Maui, Josh Green of Hawaii

☆ Bhutan cuts daily tourist fee by half to lure more visitors
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-26 | by ( Gopal Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"This is in view of the important role of the tourism sector in generating employment, earning foreign exchange ... and in boosting overall economic growth," it said. Isolated for generations, Bhutan opened to tourists in 1974 when it received 300 visitors. The tourist fee has limited arrivals to bigger spenders who make up a fraction of the numbers that visit nearby Nepal. Nevertheless, Bhutan hopes to raise the contribution of tourism to its $3 billion economy 20%, from about 5%. In June, the government eased rules on length of stay and fees for tourists but numbers have not picked up as expected.

Persons: Dorji Dhradhul, Dhradhul, Gopal Sharma, Robert Birsel Organizations: Department of Tourism, Thomson Locations: KATHMANDU, Bhutan, COVID, Nepal

☆ ETIAS and Europe's city taxes explained: When, who pays and how much?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Julia Buckley | Who Needs Etias Authorization | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The ETIAS visa waiver program will allow entry into EU countries from $7.70. And, of course, citizens of many countries need “real” visas to EU countries – which is not only a costly process, but a time-consuming one, too. ETIAS will join the myriad accommodation and “tourist taxes” that are already charged around Europe. What other tourist taxes are there in Europe? If your ship docks at Barcelona for 12 hours or more you’ll pay 4.75 euros (3 euros regional fee and 1.75 euros city surcharge).

Persons: ETIAS, you’re, They’re, Pretty, Armando Oliveira, iStockphoto, –, you’ll, Vila Real de Santo António, it’s, doesn’t Organizations: CNN, UAE, EU, United States ’, Manchester, Edinburgh, Vila Real de Santo Locations: Europe, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, EU, Amsterdam, Wales, Barcelona, Italy, Portugal, Catalonia, Vienna, it’s, Algarve, Faro, Vila, Rome, Venice, Paris, France, Greece, Caribbean, New Zealand

[1/2] A police officer holds up crime scene tape to allow people to leave after a shooting incident at the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kyaw Soe Oo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 22 (Reuters) - Three people suffered serious injuries in a shooting incident at a mall in Edmonton, the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta, city police said on Monday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The victims of Monday's incident at the West Edmonton mall have been taken to hospital for treatment, although the injuries are not life-threatening, the police said. Other staff asked people to gather in a safe area away from doors and windows, another mall visitor said. Reporting by Anirudh Saligrama and Kyaw Soe Oo; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and Clarence FernandezOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Anirudh Saligrama, Soe, Christian Schmollinger, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: West Edmonton Mall, REUTERS, Twitter, West, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Edmonton , Alberta, Canada, Edmonton, Canadian, Alberta, West Edmonton

[1/2] A worker cleans an electric-powered car Neta V, that is displayed during the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in Tangerang, near Jakarta, Indonesia, August 10, 2023. Dody Hartono, a visitor at the auto show who plans to buy his first EV by 2024, said he wants a better deal. Indonesia has ambitious EV growth plans as it races Thailand and India to build out an EV industry as an alternative to China, the world's largest producer. CONFIDENCE ISSUESToyota (7203.T), its affiliate Daihatsu, and Honda (7267.T) account for two-thirds of auto sales in Indonesia but have been slow to pivot to EVs. Toyota has said it has no plans yet to build an EV in Indonesia.

Persons: Willy Kurniawan, Dody, EVs, Hartono, China's, Hendra Pratama, Hendra Budi, –, Johan Purnomo, Stefanno Sulaiman, Kevin Krolicki, Himani Organizations: REUTERS, Hyundai, HK, Air EV Lite, Daihatsu, Huawei, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi Motors, Thomson Locations: Indonesia, Tangerang, Jakarta, Thailand, India, China, Southeast Asia

A sign at the site of the destroyed Pioneer Hotel and Pioneer Theater is seen after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 10, 2023. The wildfires incinerated the town of Lahaina on Aug. 8, destroying 2,200 homes and businesses and leaving hundreds unaccounted for. Biden has faced criticism from Republicans for not speaking publicly about the tragedy until five days after it occurred. Criswell said she was in communication in the days that followed the wildfires, helping Biden understand the magnitude of the situation and what resources were needed. Some will be too traumatized to attend when their schools in Lahaina reopen while some parents will opt to move rather than rebuild.

Persons: Deanne Criswell, Joe Biden, Criswell, Biden, Jonathan Allen, Brendan O'Brien, David Morgan, Mary Milliken, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Pioneer, Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS Acquire, . Federal Emergency Management Agency, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Kihei, Chicago, Washington

☆ From cocktails to free rides, World Cup co-hosts fight to woo back tourists
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In 2022, there were only about 1.4 million visitors, according to data provided by the government, still considerably below pre-pandemic levels. That’s why events like the Women’s World Cup are so important. Cities like Wellington and Auckland have catered to World Cup tourists by making public transportation free on game days for anyone with a match ticket. The extra effort has not gone unnoticed by tourists, especially those who have traveled to other World Cup events. Compared to the last Women’s World Cup in France, more businesses seem excited to welcome tourists, said US fan Carly Andler.

Persons: James Johnson, “, ” Johnson, ”, Monchy, CNN’s Richard Quest, Iain Walker, Chow Tory, Chow Tory's, Tara Subramaniam, Carly Andler, Andler, we’ve Organizations: Wellington CNN — Soccer, Football Australia, Tourism, Zealand’s Ministry of Business Innovation, New Zealand, Air New Zealand, FIFA, CNN, New Zealand’s Football Ferns, Wellington Chocolate Factory, Wellington City Council Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand, New, Tourism Australia, Cities, Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin, Hamilton, United States, Costa Rica, Spanish, Swedish, Italy, Japan, Rosebud, Bundaberg, Zealand, France

☆ Biden pledges U.S. support for Maui through wildfire recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

During his remarks, Biden highlighted the efforts of first responders - many of whom have been personally affected by the wildfires. Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Hawaii on Monday to survey the devastation and meet with first responders, survivors and federal, state and local officials. Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics-- Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for as the death toll rose to 110. Maui officials have identified three others, but their names have been withheld pending family notification, Maui County said. Reuters Graphics-- Residents have been outraged by the tourists enjoying Maui's tropical beaches while search-and-rescue teams trawl ruins and ocean waters for victims of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin, Biden, Jill Biden, Herman Andaya, Andaya, Josh Green, Robert Dyckman, Buddy Jantoc, Laurie Allen, shouldn't, Jonathan Allen, Brendan O'Brien, Julia Harte, Eric Beech, Daniel Trotta, Frank McGurty, Alistair Bell Organizations: Ingeteam Inc, REUTERS, America, Local, Emergency Management Agency, Officials, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: Hawaii, Milwaukee, Milwaukee , Wisconsin, U.S, LAHAINA, Maui, Lahaina, Maui County, Oahu, Chicago, New York, Washington, Carlsbad , California

CNN —A video of a tourist climbing into Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain to fill her water bottle has circulated online. After filling her bottle from a spout of the fountain, she attempts to walk away, before a guard blows a whistle and paces towards her. It remains unclear what happened to the tourist after the incident, and whether she was arrested or fined. Tourists can be fined up to 500 euros for entering the fountain, which is widely considered one of the city’s best known landmarks. Around 3,000 euros ($3,200) a day are thrown into the fountain during busy tourist months, according to Rome’s tourism board.

Persons: Trevi, Rome skyrockets, surfed Organizations: CNN, Catholic, Caritas, Maserati, Vatican Museum Locations: Rome, Covid, Saudi, Italy, Australian, American

☆ Maui officials defend decision not to sound sirens during wildfire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

LAHAINA, Hawaii, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Maui's emergency management chief on Wednesday defended his agency's decision against sounding sirens during last week's deadly wildfire amid questions about whether doing so might have saved lives. Herman Andaya, administrator of the Maui County Emergency Management Agency, said sirens in Hawaii are used to alert people to tsunamis. Because the sirens are primarily located on the waterfront, they would have been useless to people on higher ground, he said. Hawaii Governor Josh Green also defended the decision not to sound sirens. In other developments:[1/5]A Combined Joint Task Force 50 (CJTF-50) search, rescue and recovery member conducts search operations of areas damaged by Maui wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, U.S. August 15, 2023.

Persons: Herman Andaya, Andaya, Josh Green, Green, Matthew A, Foster, Handout, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Robert Dyckman, Buddy Jantoc, Laurie Allen, shouldn't, Allen, Jonathan Allen, Jorge Garcia, Sandra Stojanovic, Brendan O'Brien, Julia Harte, Eric Beech, Daniel Trotta, Colleen Jenkins, Stephen Coates Organizations: Emergency Management Agency, Force, U.S . Army National Guard, Staff, REUTERS Acquire, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: LAHAINA, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, Lahaina , Hawaii, U.S, Maui County, Oahu, Chicago, New York, Washington, Carlsbad , California

[1/5] Yadira Ulloa, 55, sits outside her daughter's home in Lahaina after her home was destroyed during the Lahaina fire on the island of Maui in Hawaii, U.S., August 15, 2023. "God guided me," she said as she recalled the day last Tuesday when a wildfire ripped apart her community. The gas station, she later learned, exploded when the wildfire reached it, and the apartment building burned to the ground. The inferno killed at least 101 people after racing from grasslands outside town into Lahaina. Ulloa, who works as a housekeeper, and her daughter found refuge with an older daughter in the village of Olowalu.

Persons: Yadira Ulloa, Mike Blake, incinerate, Ulloa, Kiet Ma, Daisy Luu, Luu, it's, Jorge Garcia, Sandra Stojanovic, Sharon Bernstein, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Taxi, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Olowalu

The industry is Maui's "economic engine," generating 80% of its wealth, according to the island's economic development board. Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings. Many are housing their employees and preparing to house evacuees and first-responders working on disaster recovery, according to the tourism authority. "Maui is not closed," Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said at the weekend press conference alongside the governor. Tour operators who continued to offer services in or around West Maui after the fires faced a flood of criticism.

Persons: Mike Blake, Jason Momoa, Maui, Josh Green, Green, Ilihia Gionson, Richard Bissen, Jack Richards, Rich McKay, Doyinsola Oladipo, Julia Harte, Colleen Jenkins, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Hawaii, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic, Tourism, U.S . Census, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hotels, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Los, Thomson Locations: Wahikuli, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, West Maui, Maui County, Wailea, South Maui, Los Angeles

☆ West Maui highway reopens but 'destruction zone' remains off limits
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

LAHAINA, Hawaii, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Hawaii officials on Wednesday reopened a highway into West Maui to all motorists for the first time since last week's deadly wildfire, but the devastated town of Lahaina remained closed as the painstaking search for hundreds of missing dragged on. [1/2]Vehicles are seen in traffic on Honoapiilani Hwy after officials allowed residents and tourists back into West Maui after a wildfire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, in Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. Maui Fresh Streatery, a local business, urged people in a Facebook post to refrain from using the highway into town for sightseeing. "Let us allow this time for our Lahaina residents." As officials work to identify the deceased, stories about those who perished have emerged from loved ones.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Biden, Deanne Criswell, Criswell, Josh Green, Marco Garcia, Ma, Daisy, Daisy Ma, Kevin, Saane Tanaka, Jorge Garcia, Sandra Stojanovic, Brendan O'Brien, Jonathan Oatis, Sandra Maler Organizations: Twitter, Wednesday Biden, U.S . Federal Emergency Management Administration, White, FEMA, REUTERS, New York Times, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAHAINA, Hawaii, West Maui, Lahaina, Washington, Maui, charring, U.S, Chicago

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