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☆ A woman whose husband died snorkeling in Hawaii is suing its tourism board, saying it failed to warn them of the risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Patricia and Ray Johnson arrived at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui on February 23, 2022, marking the couple's sixth visit to Hawaii. AdvertisementA July 2010 Snorkel Safety Study, conducted in collaboration with the Hawaii State Department of Health and the Hawaii Tourism Authority, distinguishes drowning by ROPE from drowning by aspirating water. Related storiesPatricia Johnson told ABC 7 Eyewitness News that Ray had kept his head above water before appearing disorientated. According to the lawsuit, Ray Johnson eventually lost consciousness before reaching the shore. He added: "If even one life is saved by this message, then Ray Johnson will not have died in vain."

Persons: —, Patricia, Ray Johnson, Ray, Ray Johnson's, Patricia Johnson, Johnson, KITV, Ray wasn't, Jay Stuemke, we'd Organizations: Service, Business, Mayo Clinic, Hawaii State Department of Health, Hawaii Tourism Authority, ABC, Hawaiian Tourism Authority, Hawaii Visitors Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Wailea, Lani

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

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

☆ Hawaii calls for tourists to visit Maui as unemployment claims surge after deadly wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Supplies for Lahaina fire victims are gathered and delivered by Hawaiians sailing on a large catamaran who often sail around the world together to Lahaina neighborhoods. Officials in Hawaii are encouraging tourists to visit Maui to help support the economy as unemployment claims surge on the island in the wake of deadly wildfires in the western region. But the governor and the Hawaii Tourism Authority are encouraging tourists to visit all other areas of Maui to help support a local economy that is suffering in the wake of the blaze. Sen. Brian Schatz said furloughs and layoffs are starting to pick up because people think the whole island is closed. Unemployment claims in Maui have skyrocketed from 130 shortly before the blaze to 4,449 as of last week, according to data from the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Persons: Josh Green's, Sen, Brian Schatz, furloughs Organizations: Gov, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic, Tourism Locations: Lahaina, Hawaii, Maui, West Maui

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

☆ Tourists lost their summer vacations. Maui’s locals lost everything
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

In an aerial view, homes and businesses are seen that were destroyed by a wildfire on August 11, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. In an aerial view, homes and businesses are seen that were destroyed by a wildfire on August 11, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. CNN Business Writer Catherine Thorbecke (center) with her late grandparents in Lahaina, Hawaii, circa 2013. People looking down to downtown Lahaina from Lahaina Bypass in Lahaina, Hawaii on August 13, 2023. A woman digs through rubble of a home destroyed by a wildfire on Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii.

Persons: Rick Avila, ”, –, ” Avila, Avila, Justin Sullivan, Mike Cicchino, “, Cicchino, Catherine Thorbecke, Josh Green’s, Mengshin Lin, ALICE, Rick Bowmer, it’s, ” Gionson, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, Lahaina, ”, Washington Post, “, Aloha United Way, Bank of Hawaii, Hawaii’s Department of Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Tourism Authority Locations: Lahaina , Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, Kingdom of Hawaii, Okinawa, Japan, Hawaii, Maui County, Las Vegas, Oahu, –

☆ A United Airlines pilot on vacation in Hawaii volunteered to fly a plane from Maui to mainland US to help 300 people escape the fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A United Airlines pilot helped evacuate 300 people from Maui to the mainland US, per CBS Colorado. While on vacation, he volunteered to fly a plane that was left without a pilot. A United Airlines pilot volunteered to help about 300 people escape Maui's raging wildfires, working during his vacation to pilot a plane out, according to CBS Colorado. This was when Eckelkamp volunteered, making it clear that he was ready and available to fly, the news outlet said. Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesAccording to CBS Colorado, Eckelkamp ultimately flew the plane to the mainland US, helping some 300 people escape the fires.

Persons: Vince Eckelkamp, Kathy Eckelkamp, Eckelkamp, Justin Sullivan Organizations: United Airlines, CBS, Morning, CBS Colorado, Kahului, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Associated Press, Airlines Locations: Maui, CBS Colorado, Hawaii, Kula , Hawaii

Smoke billows from flames near Lahaina as wildfires driven by high winds destroy a large part of the historic town of Lahaina, Hawaii, U.S. August 9, 2023. The database includes names collected from "missing persons" notices posted at shelters as well as information submitted by loved ones. About 46,000 people had flown out of Kahului Airport, Maui's main airport, between Wednesday and Saturday, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. "50% of our visitor economy still exists and is thriving in South Maui," the Maui Fresh Streatery food truck posted on Facebook. Bar chart shows visitor spending share of GDP to Maui and Hawaii which are much higher than that for the entire U.S.

Persons: Dustin Johnson, Handout, Josh Green, We've, Green, We're, Chris Loeffler, Deanne Criswell, Criswell, Jeremy Greenberg, Greenberg, Chris Young, Young, Basil Spring, Jorge Garcia, Mike Blake, Brendan O'Brien, Rich McKay, Andrew Hay, Brad Brooks, Sharon Bernstein, Doyinsola Oladipo, Dan Whitcomb, Joseph Ax, Daniel Trotta, Jonathan Oatis, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Monday, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Cross, Hawaiian Electric Industries, CNN, Kahului, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Reuters Graphics, Facebook, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Lahaina , Hawaii, U.S, Hawaii, Maui, Minnesota, West Maui, Maui's, South Maui

☆ Maui wildfires: Crews still working to identify 93 victims found so far in deadliest US fire in over a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Matthew Thayer/The Maui News/AP Volunteers unload supplies from trucks before loading them onto boats for people in need at Kihei Ramp in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, August 12. Rick Bowmer/AP Grace Hurt, right, embraces someone while loading supplies for those in need at Kihei Ramp in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/AP Burnt boats sit in waters off of Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images In an aerial view, search and rescue crews walk through a neighborhood, continuing to search for missing people in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife, and their five children were caught in the Lahaina wildfires and survived by exiting their car and spending four hours in the ocean as the west Maui wildfires raged around them.

Persons: Josh Green, “ It’s, Dora, We’ve, ” Green, ”, John Pelletier, Deanne Criswell, Green, Brad Ventura, Kihei –, •, Anne Lopez, ” Lopez, Matthew Thayer, Evelio Contreras, Rick Bowmer, Grace Hurt, Hurt, Justin Sullivan, Mike Blake, Zoltan Balogh, Zeran Harris, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Patrick T, Fallon, Dustin Johnson, “, who’ve, Ilihia Gionson, Gionson, –, Steven, Giulietta Daiker, ” Steven, ” Giulietta, “ We’re, Richard Bissen Jr Organizations: CNN, National Fire Protection Association, ”, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Maui Police, FEMA, Maui County Fire, • Cell, Maui News, AP Volunteers, Hawaii Department of Land, Natural Resources, Reuters, . Hawaii Department of Land, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Fire Department, Kahului, Technologies, AP Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Getty, National Guard, Department of Health, Human Services, Pacific Whale Foundation, Ritz, Carlton, Hawaii Department, Transportation, Saturday, Volunteers, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Lahaina Residents Locations: Maui, ” Hawaii, Maui County, Lahaina, Kihei, Upcountry, Hawaii, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Lahaina , Hawaii, Wailuku, Kula, Waiola, Kula , Hawaii, Maalaea, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, AFP, Kapalua, Lahaina –, Hawaiian

☆ Lahaina’s historic 150-year-old banyan tree was badly scorched by wildfires, but it’s still standing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Alisha Ebrahimji | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Now, Lahaina’s historic 150-year-old banyan tree has been charred by the wildfires and is dull in color – but still alive. “Banyan Tree in Lahaina smoldering at the base, but still standing,” Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz wrote accompanying a video he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. That history includes the oft-visited banyan tree, which was enjoying its sesquicentennial anniversary this year until the fire broke out. Banyan tree branches produce roots that spawn additional, accessory trunks such that the trees grow up as well as out. The 150-year-old banyan tree, as seen amid the ruins of the wildfires Marco Garcia/ReutersWhile the tree remains standing, it’s unclear how healthy it is after surviving the wildfires that all but destroyed parts of Lahaina.

Persons: Hawaii Sen, Brian Schatz, “, Hawaii Jennifer McDermott, Maui Patrick T, Fallon, Marco Garcia, ”, Bill Weir Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Getty, Foundation, Maui County Arborist, Reuters Locations: Lahaina, Hawaii, Maui, India, United States, Maui County, “

New York CNN —The catastrophic wildfires in Maui have destroyed homes, churches, businesses and key cultural sites on Hawaii’s second-largest island. Maui authorities have asked tourists to leave the island and strongly discouraged nonessential travel to Maui. That means $4 of every $5 the island generates comes directly or indirectly from tourism, according to the Maui Economic Development Board. In 2019, 3.1 million people visited Maui. But that figure plunged to 793,000 during the height of the pandemic in 2020, according to the Maui Economic Development Board.

Organizations: New, New York CNN, Hawaii Tourism, Maui Economic Development Board, Tourism, Hawaii . Local, Maui Economic Development, Hawaii Tourism Authority Locations: New York, Maui, United States, Japan, Canada, Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii ., Tourism, Lahaina

☆ Lahaina fires: One of the largest banyan trees in the US among the beloved landmarks imperiled by Maui's wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Alisha Ebrahimji | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Baldwin Home MuseumThe Baldwin House Museum is seen in this image taken before the Lahaina wildfires. Waiola ChurchFlames engulf the hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission on Tuesday along Wainee Street. Wo Hing Temple MuseumThe Wo Hing Temple Museum is seen on Front Street, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii before the wildfires blazed through the area. It later was restored and housed the Wo Hing Museum. Lahaina Heritage MuseumSmoke obscures the Old Lahaina Courthouse on Wednesday as wildfires destroy a large part of the historic town.

Persons: Josh Green, It’s, Jennifer McDermott, Baldwin, Dwight Baldwin, Ian Rutherford, Alamy, Maui –, Theo Morrison, Morrison, Ephraim Spaulding, Matthew Thayer, David Cathell, Dustin Johnson Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, National Park Service, Historic Landmark, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Foundation, Maui County Arborist, Baldwin Home Museum, Baldwin House Museum, Waiola, Flames, Maui News, Hing Temple, Hing, Hing Society, Lahaina Heritage Museum Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Hawaii, United States, Hawaiian, India, Maui County, Waiola, Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, ”

☆ This 28-year-old spent $8,000 setting up an Airbnb tent near a Hawaiian volcano–now it earns her $28,000 per year
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-29 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

When Kehau Hall set up her Airbnb glamping tent in 2014, she didn't think twice about it being roughly 10 minutes away from volcanos. She spent less than $300 on the tent and roughly $8,000 on amenities like a kitchen, an outdoor shower and a king-sized mattress. Those earnings represent a sliver of a highly competitive tourism industry: In 2019, visitor spending on all of Hawaii's islands amassed $17.75 billion, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The main island, where Hall's tent is located, brought in $22.4 million daily, on average. Hall's tent, by comparison is modest: It costs visitors about $70 per night.

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