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☆ Tourists are flocking to a strange bubblegum-pink pond in Hawaii
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementTourists have been flocking to a bright pink pond on the island of Maui, in Hawaii, in recent weeks. The pond, called Keālia Pond, has been monitored by the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge since October 30, when its color changed. AdvertisementAdvertisementHalobacteria are "salt-loving organisms found in high salinity water bodies," according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Keālia Pond turned pink on October 30, 2023. Bret Wolfe, the refuge manager, told the AP that he's seen an increase in tourist visits since the pink pond first appeared on social media.

Persons: —, Leslie Diamond, Bret Wolfe, he's Organizations: Service, Wildlife Refuge, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wildlife Service, AP Locations: Maui, Hawaii

☆ Water at Kealia pond in Hawaii has turned pink amid drought
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Angela Fritz | Abigail Holmes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Water at the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, one of the few coastal salt marshes on the island of Maui, has been bright pink since at least October 30, officials say, after its salt content surged amid an extreme drought. While Kealia literally means “salt encrustation,” the pond’s salinity has skyrocketed well beyond normal because of Maui’s extreme drought. The entire island is in severe or worse drought, according to the US Drought Monitor. The area where the Kealia Pond refuge is located is in what’s considered an extreme drought – the second-worst on the Drought Monitor’s scale. @Traviskeahi_photo/InstagramThe Waikapu Stream, which brings water from the West Maui Mountains down into the Kealia Pond, also flows through the area of extreme drought.

Persons: Kealia Organizations: CNN, Wildlife, University of Hawaii, Fish and Wildlife Service, US Drought Monitor Locations: Hawaii, Maui, Salt, what’s, West Maui, Maui County, Lahaina

☆ Hawaii Bribery Scandal Casts a Shadow Over Lahaina’s Ruins
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Blaze Lovell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After a major contracting scandal broke out in Hawaii last year, the mayor of Maui County appeared on television to express outrage and announce a sweeping audit of contracts awarded to a corrupt businessman. But no one told the county auditor, who said he only heard about the audit on the news. In the end, the audit was never completed, and the county’s flawed system for awarding contracts — a system marred by bribery and a lack of competition — remains largely the way it was. Now, as Maui recovers from the devastating wildfires that swept across parts of the island in August and killed at least 99 people, millions of dollars will be spent on rebuilding critical infrastructure using the same flawed contract-monitoring system. The bribery case involving the businessman, Milton Choy, prompted some county officials to begin phasing out the use of sole-source contracts — which are awarded without competitive bidding when officials determine that only one vendor is able to supply a particular good or service — but the practice is still in use in the county.

Persons: Milton Choy Locations: Hawaii, Maui County, Maui

HONOLULU (AP) — All of West Maui except for burned-out sections of historic Lahaina will reopen to tourism on Nov. 1 following the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than century, the mayor of Maui County said Monday. Mayor Richard Bissen said he made the move after talking about it with his Lahaina advisory team, the Red Cross and other partners. West Maui has about 11,000 hotel rooms, or about half of Maui's total. Josh Green last month declared West Maui would officially reopen to tourism on Oct. 8 to bring back badly needed jobs and help the economy recover. Residents who have been staying in West Maui hotels and other short-term accommodations after losing their homes in the fire won't lose their lodging, the mayor said.

Persons: Richard Bissen, Josh Green, Bissen, ”, ” Bissen, “ Organizations: Travelers, Hawaii Gov Locations: HONOLULU, West Maui, Lahaina, Maui County, Maui, Hawaii

☆ Yes, Maui Is Open. But the Loss of Lahaina May Reshape Tourism.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Christine Chung | More About Christine Chung | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In Lahaina, in the weeks and months to come, increasing tourism will coexist with ongoing relief efforts. ‘We might be in the way’In the days after the fires, tourism to Maui was in a free fall. Messaging spread on social media for tourists to avoid all of Maui and paralyzed the economy, where tourism accounts for 70 percent of every dollar generated. Last year, about three million visitors spent $5.82 billion on Maui, according to state data. State and local leaders have spent the last two months pleading for tourists to visit.

Persons: who’ve, “, it’s, Josh Green Organizations: ”, CBS Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii

Most of the school burned down, but its leaders quickly got classes up and running at Sacred Hearts Mission Church 10 miles (16 kilometers) away. Sacred Hearts and other private schools across the state took in displaced public school students, such as Cuaresma, while offering a year of free tuition. Other students bused more than 45 minutes away to public schools on the other side of Maui or opted for remote classes. Debbie Tau’s two children won’t return to their Lahaina schools because she also is worried the air isn’t safe. Patrick Williams said the first time he saw his son Kupaʻa praying at Sacred Hearts reminded him of his own childhood in Mississippi.

Persons: ”, Cailee Cuaresma, “ I’m, Cuaresma, Tonata Lolesio, “, Lahaina , King Kamehameha III, Nāhiʻenaʻena, Tiffany Teruya, Puʻuwai, Debbie Tau’s, Patrick Williams, ’ ” Williams, Williams, Gabby Suzik, Suzik, ” Suzik, Charlene Ako, Ako, Maile Organizations: Lahainaluna High, Sacred Hearts School, Hearts Mission, Hearts, Workers, Assistance Dogs, Lahaina, Maui Preparatory Academy, Lahaina’s, Maui Prep Locations: LAHAINA, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, Lahaina , King, Kihei, COVID, Mississippi, Asuncion, Waiola

☆ Parts of West Maui to reopen to tourists on Sunday
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Parts of West Maui are still on track to begin a phased reopening to tourists starting Sunday, October 8 – but the action comes with some controversy. ET Friday, the phased reopening was still on schedule according to the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau and the office of Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen. Here’s where things stand for the tourism-reliant island heading into the weekend:What’s opening on MauiAreas of West Maui – including Nāpili, Kāʻanapali, Honokōwai and Kapalua – are part of the reopening, according the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau. “We advise travelers to check with the individual accommodations in West Maui for their reopening plans,” the Visitors Bureau said. Also, other Hawaiian islands – Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Lānaʻi, and Hawai‘i Island – have been welcoming visitors all along.

Persons: Josh Green, Richard Bissen, Carlton Maui, Kahana Villa Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, Hawai‘i Visitors, Convention Bureau, Visitors, Convention, Ritz, Carlton, Kahana, Hyatt, Visitors Bureau, Bureau Locations: West Maui, Lahaina, Maui County, Maui, Kapalua, Mahinahina, Royal Lahaina, ”, “ County

HONOLULU (AP) — A woman who escaped Hawaii’s Lahaina wildfire by running through a flaming field has died after spending more than seven weeks in a hospital burn unit. Laurie Allen died Friday at Straub Medical Center in Honolulu, according to a gofundme page set up for her and her husband, Perry Allen. Her heart was tired, and she was ready,” her sister-in-law, Penny Allen Hood, wrote on the website. Allen was among at least 98 people killed by the fire Aug. 8 that devastated historic Lahaina on the west coast of Maui. Allen got out of the car and fled 100 yards (91 meters) across a field of burning grass.

Persons: —, Laurie Allen, Perry Allen, “ Laurie, Penny Allen Hood, Allen, Hood, Laurie —, ” Hood Organizations: Straub Medical, PT Clinic, Authorities, Nonprofit Locations: HONOLULU, Honolulu, Lahaina, Maui, U.S

☆ 'I don't want to die:' How 14 youth advocates in Hawaii are fighting climate change by taking the state to court
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Yoonji Han | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Hawaiian youth advocates sued the state's transportation department over greenhouse-gas emissions. Amid the escalating climate crisis, Nishida and 13 other Hawaiian youth advocates sued the Hawaii Department of Transportation in 2022 over transportation-related greenhouse-gas emissions. The lawsuit, Navahine F. v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, is scheduled to go to trial next summer. Transportation emissions made up the largest share of energy-sector emissions in Hawaii in 2017, according to a 2021 report by the Hawaii Department of Health. Youth plaintiffs gather before the start of the Navahine F. v. the Hawaii Department of Transportation hearing at the First Circuit Environmental Court in Honolulu on January 26.

Persons: Taliya Nishida, Nishida, Navahine, Andrea Rodgers, Rodgers, KawahineʻIlikea, Taliya, Mesina, Kalā, Rylee, Elyse Butler Organizations: Service, Hawaii Department of Transportation, . Hawaii Department of Transportation, Transportation, Hawaii Department of Health, Trust, cocounsel, Court, Department of Transportation Locations: Hawaii, Maui, Montana, Honolulu, Waimea, United States

The PGA Tour is returning to Maui to start the new season with the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, five months after deadly wildfires destroyed nearby Lahaina and claimed at least 97 lives. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan had said last month he hoped the tournament could be a source of inspiration for Maui and Lahaina, about 10 miles away from where the PGA Tour has started its year since 1999. The tour sent a memo to players Thursday that it will be back at Kapalua for the Jan. 4-7 opener. The Bay Course at Kapalua opened on Wednesday, and the Plantation Course where the tournament is held is to open on Oct. 18. The Sentry Tournament of Champions, for years only for PGA Tour winners, now is for the top 50 from the previous year’s FedEx Cup along with any tour winner from 2023.

Persons: Jay Monahan, Josh Green, “, Tyler Dennis, ” Dennis, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm, ___ Organizations: PGA, Hawaii Gov, Green, Maui, Maui Food Bank, UH, PGA Tour, FedEx Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Kapalua, Hawaii, West Maui, . Wisconsin, Maui United, Maui County

David Minkin, an attorney for Maui County, told Reuters that only a small portion, if any, of its land was involved in the blaze. Wildfire victims have struggled over the years to hold landowners liable, even for fires ignited on their property. Rick Linkert, a California attorney who specializes in defending wildfire cases, said it may not be easy for Wells' legal team to show negligence. They would have to demonstrate there was an accepted standard for managing grasslands and that the landowners ignored it, he said. Maui County has filed its own lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, which it blames for the fire.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Harold Wells, Rebecca Rans, Wells, Bishop, David Minkin, Rans, Jim Bickerton, Bickerton, Rick Linkert, Linkert, Pauahi Paki, Kamehameha, Tom Hals, Amy Stevens, Noeleen Walder, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Kamehameha Schools, Reuters, Honolulu Star, U.S . Forest Service, Hawaiian Electric, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Rights WILMINGTON , Delaware, Harold Wells of Arizona, Maui County, Wailuku, Guinea, California, Hawaiian, Wilmington , Delaware

☆ Death toll from Hawaii wildfires drops to 97
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The shells of burned houses and buildings are left after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 15 (Reuters) - The death toll from last month's wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui has dropped to 97 and the number of people missing is now 31, Hawaii Governor Josh Green told CNN in an interview on Friday. Green said last week the death toll was 115 and 66 people were missing. "The death toll dropped because we have Department of Defense anthropologists who are able to do a lot more advanced genetics. Reporting by Eric Beech in Washington; editing by Dan Whitcomb and Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Josh Green, Green, Eric Beech, Dan Whitcomb, Sandra Maler Organizations: Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS, CNN, Department of Defense, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Washington

☆ Recognizing the rights of climate refugees is the first step to relocating the millions of vulnerable island-nation residents who could be displaced in the next 3 decades
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Christine Jean-Baptiste | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

This article is part of "Journey Toward Climate Justice," a series exploring the systemic inequities of the climate crisis. By 2050, the World Bank estimates that climate change could force 216 million people to be displaced from their homes within their own countries. Climate change is thought to be one of several contributors to the wildfires — as droughts increased in the region, vegetation dried, creating dry conditions conducive to fires. Migration and the climate crisis are inextricably linked, climate experts say. "People shouldn't be forced to leave home because of climate change," Francis said.

Persons: Peace, Ama Francis, PATRICK T, FALLON, Kaniela Ing, Ing, Adelle Thomas, ProPublica, Tamir Kalifa, Francis, Thomas, Kayly Ober, Hurricane, Scott Olson, Hurricane Dorian, Trump, Mark Morgan, Donald Trump, Biden, Ike, Hanna, Gideon Mendel, Corbis, shouldn't Organizations: Bank, Service, Institute for Economics, International Refugee Assistance, University of the, New York Times, The Washington, Getty, Refugee, US Institute of Peace, Border, Assistance Locations: Caribbean, Pacific, Maui, Hawaii, University of the Bahamas, Lahaina, Bahamas, Marsh Harbour, United States, Haiti

☆ Growing fury from Maui residents over the direction of early wildfire recovery efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Alicia Victoria Lozano | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

US President Joe Biden is embraced by Hawaii Governor Josh Green (C) after delivering remarks as he visits an area devastated by wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 21, 2023. Rebuilding hasn't even started after a deadly wildfire destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii, last month, but residents are already angry and frustrated with recent moves by Gov. Now, they say, that pattern could be repeated with the aid of an emergency proclamation signed by Green that could erode their hard-won rights, despite his reassurances that rebuilding would reflect the needs of Maui residents. "It is a real slap in the face when we still have to deal with the aftermath of this fire." Green reinstated the water rules last week, but residents are wary that future proclamations could jeopardize their efforts to restore Maui's streams and wetlands.

Persons: Joe Biden, Josh Green, hasn't, Green, Kekai Keahi, Makana McClellan, we've, McClellan, We're, Hōkūao Pellegrino, Nani Medeiros, I've, Medeiros, Marti Townsend, Townsend, Glenn Tremble, Manuel, Ed Wendt, David Henkin, Pellegrino Organizations: Hawaii, Gov, Maui Land Co, West Maui Land Co, American Civil Liberties Union, Sierra Club, Earthjustice Locations: Lahaina , Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, Hawaii, Honolulu

☆ House passes bill to improve wildfire prevention accountability after NBC News report
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Adiel Kaplan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A wildfire burns on the island of Maui near an intersection in Lahaina, Hawaii, August 9, 2023. A bill to improve how the federal government tracks wildfire prevention work passed the House in a near-unanimous 406-4 vote on Wednesday, a month after the nation's deadliest wildfire in over 100 years killed at least 115 people in Hawaii. A 2022 NBC News investigation found that the United States Forest Service had overstated how much land it treats to reduce wildfire risk by an estimated 21% over a 15-year period. Tiffany, chairman of the House Natural Resources committee's federal lands subcommittee, cited NBC News' reporting when he introduced the bill. The bill applies to hazardous fuel reduction done by federal land management agencies, which mostly work on federally owned land.

Persons: Tom Tiffany, I'm, Tiffany, Sen, Joe Manchin, John Barrasso Organizations: NBC, United States Forest Service, Natural Resources, Service, Interior Department, Senate Energy, Natural Resources Committee Locations: Maui, Lahaina , Hawaii, Hawaii, Lahaina, California, Paradise

☆ A Month After Deadly Maui Fire, 66 People Still Missing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Only 60 of those victims had been identified as of Thursday, according to the Maui Police Department. Tim Laborte's stepfather, Joseph Lara, was killed in the fire, his body found a short drive from Lara's house in his native Lahaina. Hawaii's Department of Health, which issues death certificates in the state, did not respond to questions about how officials are certifying the fire's victims. "The people of Maui must have as much time as they need to heal and recover and will begin to rebuild only when they are ready," Green said. "I want to emphasize this again: The land in the Lahaina is reserved for its people as they return and rebuild."

Persons: Jonathan Allen, Josh Green, Tim Laborte's, Joseph Lara, Laborte, Green, Stephen Coates Organizations: Reuters, Maui Police Department, Officials, Hawaii's Department of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S . Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina, U.S, Hawaiian, New York

☆ A month after deadly Maui fire, 66 people still missing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Jonathan Allen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Only 60 of those victims had been identified as of Thursday, according to the Maui Police Department. Tim Laborte's stepfather, Joseph Lara, was killed in the fire, his body found a short drive from Lara's house in his native Lahaina. [1/3]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. "The people of Maui must have as much time as they need to heal and recover and will begin to rebuild only when they are ready," Green said. "I want to emphasize this again: The land in the Lahaina is reserved for its people as they return and rebuild."

Persons: Josh Green, Tim Laborte's, Joseph Lara, Laborte, Matthew A, Foster, Handout, Green, Jonathan Allen, Stephen Coates Organizations: Maui Police Department, Officials, Force, U.S . Army National Guard, Staff, REUTERS, Hawaii's Department of Health, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S . Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Thomson Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Lahaina, Lahaina , Hawaii, U.S, Hawaiian, New York

☆ Who caused Maui’s devastating wildfire? Lawsuit adds telecom companies and landowners to the list
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Andy Rose | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The original suit claimed Hawaiian Electric was to blame for the fire, because it did not deenergize power lines that were knocked down by high winds. Shares of Hawaiian Electric have plunged 67% since the fires erupted August 8. Hawaiian Telecom is privately owned. Maui County filed a separate lawsuit late last month against Hawaiian Electric and its subsidiaries, alleging that the utility company’s negligence caused the devastating wildfires. Hawaiian Electric CEO Shelee Kimura said in a statement following Maui’s lawsuit that the company believes the complaint is factually and legally irresponsible.”

Persons: LippSmith, Graham LippSmith, “, ”, inexcusably, Shelee Kimura Organizations: CNN, Hawaiian, Lahaina, Charter Communications, Hawaiian Telecom, Hawaii Telecom, Electric, Hawaiian Electric, National Weather Service, Watch Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Kula, Olinda, Charter, West Maui, Maui County

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

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

Views from the air of the community of Lahaina after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town several days ago, in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 10, 2023. REUTERS/Marco Garcia/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc FollowSept 5 (Reuters) - The father of a woman who died during last month's wildfires in Hawaii has sued the state and the county of Maui in a “first-of-its-kind” lawsuit accusing the governments of gross negligence leading to the blazes. Filed on Monday in Hawaii state court, the lawsuit is the first stemming from the wildfires to be lodged against the state. Hawaiian Electric, meanwhile, failed to deenergize its electrical equipment during high winds, sparking the fires, the lawsuit said. Reporting by Clark Mindock, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Marco Garcia, Harold Wells, Wells, Clark Mindock, Alexia Garamfalvi, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Estate, Bishop Estate, Electric, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — He's most often associated with Boston, the hometown of his legendary rock band, but Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler has a soft spot in his heart for the Hawaiian island of Maui. The singer, who has a home on the island, wants vacationers to return to Maui to help the island's economy — devastated by wildfires last month — recover. Near the end of the opening night of the band's farewell tour in Philadelphia Saturday, Tyler urged audience members not to be afraid to travel to the island again. Josh Green told tourists to stay away during the island's recovery. Tyler's daughter, Mia, was among those initially discouraging tourists from coming to Maui shortly after the fires.

Persons: Steven Tyler, Tyler, ” Tyler, ” “, it’s, ”, Josh Green, Tyler's, Mia, Wayne Parry Organizations: PHILADELPHIA, —, Wells, Gov, Twitter Locations: Boston, Maui, Philadelphia, Lahaina, Hawaii, www.twitter.com

CNN —The Hawaii Tourism Authority announced Friday it approved more than $2 million to help rebuild Hawaii’s struggling tourism industry. The agency said West Maui accounts for 15% of Hawaii’s total tourism revenue, and since the deadly wildfires, the state has lost roughly $9 million per day because of the resulting drop in travel and tourism. Josh Green declared a “tourism emergency” as visitors to the island have dropped significantly in the wake of the devastating wildfires. While the Hawaii Tourism Authority is still trying to get a count of total job losses, Gionson said anecdotally, a small sample size of a dozen businesses informed the agency of about 200 layoffs. Gionson said if people want to help, they should keep their trips, as long as they are not staying in West Maui.

Persons: Ilihia Gionson, Josh Green, Gionson, anecdotally, Richie Olsten, they’re, ” Olsten Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Gov, Maui Locations: Hawaii, Maui, United States, West Maui

☆ Tourists Were Told to Avoid Maui. Many Workers Want Them Back.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs | More About Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Among them was Mr. Wegner’s grandmother, Lynn Manibog, who had helped raise him. Mr. Wegner has had almost no time to grieve. “Me and her are under a lot of stress,” Mr. Wegner said. In South Maui, seven of every 10 hotel rooms sit empty, compared with about two in 10 during normal times. The governor and lieutenant governor issued emergency proclamations in the first days after the fire, saying that all nonessential travel to Maui was “strongly discouraged.”

Persons: Wegner, Wegner’s, Lynn Manibog, Sabrina Kaitlyn Cuadro, That’s, Mr, ” Locations: Lahaina, “, State, South Maui, Maui

☆ Oprah and Dwayne Johnson Give $10 Million to Help Maui Wildfire Victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( Anushka Patil | More About Anushka Patil | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson have donated $10 million to help establish a fund that will give direct cash assistance to Maui residents displaced by catastrophic wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes on the island, they said on Thursday. The new effort, called the People’s Fund of Maui, is offering payments of $1,200 per month to adults whose homes were destroyed or made uninhabitable by the wildfires in Lahaina and Kula this month. The assistance is available to both homeowners and renters, but not to property owners who do not live in homes they own. “People being able to have their own agency, being able to make decisions for themselves about what they need and what their family needs — that’s our goal,” Ms. Winfrey added in a video on Instagram. She promised that the public’s donations to the fund would go directly to victims.

Persons: Oprah Winfrey, Dwayne Johnson, “, Mr, Johnson, —, ” Ms, Winfrey Organizations: People’s, of Locations: Maui, of Maui, Lahaina, Kula, Hawaii

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