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☆ 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, –

☆ Maui wildfire death toll of 55 expected to rise amid search for victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Marco Garcia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

KAHULUI, Hawaii, Aug 11 (Reuters) - The death toll from a wildfire that killed at least 55 people on Hawaii's Maui island was expected to rise on Friday, as search teams prepared to comb through the charred ruins of a historic resort town for more victims. "Understand this: Lahaina Town is hallowed, sacred ground right now," Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said, referring to humans remains that have yet to be recovered. In addition to searching for the missing, officials were drafting a plan to house the newly homeless in hotels and tourist rental properties. The Lahaina fire is one of three major wildfires on Maui. There was no estimate for the Upcountry fire in the center of the eastern mass of the island, Maui County said.

Persons: John Pelletier, Poweroutage.us, Richard Bissen, NBC's, Knickerbocker, Josh Green, Green, Kamehameha III's, Gregory Knickerbocker, Nicoangelo, Brendan O'Brien, Frank McGurty, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Maui Police, Authorities, U.S . Midwest, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: KAHULUI, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, California, Washington, Maui County, Oahu, Kahului, U.S, Kingdom of Hawaii, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Europe, Canada, East Coast, Maui ., Chicago

Image The Pioneer Inn in Lahaina, Hawaii, last year. Image Shops and dining destinations along the sidewalks and streets in Lahaina, Maui. Mr. Hedani said the fabled beach areas on Oahu that Hawaii is best known for held nothing on Lahaina. “The sunset looks fake every time I see it.”Image Sunset in Lahaina, Hawaii. “What happens when you take away the most important street on Maui?” he said.

Persons: George Alan Freeland, Freeland’s, ”, Theo Morrison, Daejas, Baldwin, Ephraim Spaulding, Dwight Baldwin, Morrison, Mark Twain, “, —, Kiha Kaina, Patrick T, Kaina, Lee Anne Wong, Wong, Tony Novak, Clifford, Ronald Williams, Williams, it’s, Jared Hedani, Tommy Bahama, Hedani, “ You’re, Jim Wilson, Kamehameha the, Kaniela Ing, Ing, “ I’d, Amy Qin, David W, Chen, Mitch Smith Organizations: Lahaina Restoration Foundation, The New York Times, East Coast, ., Fallon, Agence France, French Culinary Institute, Hawaii State Archives, New York Times, Green New Deal Network Locations: Lahaina, British, Maui, Hawaii, “, United States, Lahaina , Hawaii, Massachusetts, East, Berkeley, Calif, ”, Papa’aina, New York City, Maui . Credit, Mexico City, Shaw, Paradise, Oahu, Waikiki

☆ Hawaii wildfires raze resort city on Maui island, killing dozens
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Marco Garcia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke said late on Wednesday that officials were still assessing the damage. The cause of the Maui wildfires had yet to be determined, but the National Weather Service said a mix of dry vegetation, strong winds, and low humidity fueled the fast-moving conflagration. THREE SEPARATE BLAZESFirefighters were battling three separate blazes on the island, officials said late on Wednesday night, without providing further details. An aerial view shows damage along the coast of Lahaina in the aftermath of wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 9, 2023 this screen grab obtained from social media video. More than 11,000 travelers were evacuated from Maui, Ed Sniffen of the Hawaii Department of Transportation said late on Wednesday.

Persons: Dustin Kaleiopu, Kaleiopu, Sylvia Luke, Thomas Smith, Richard Bissen, Richard Olsten, Kamehameha III's, flyovers, Julius Limbaga, Limbaga, Ed Sniffen, Rich McKay, Brendan O'Brien, Frank McGurty, Angus MacSwan, Alex Richardson, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Hawaiian Kingdom, NBC, National Weather Service, London School of Economics, Political, Reuters Graphics Reuters Graphics Maui, Air Maui Helicopters, REUTERS, Honolulu Star, U.S . Civil Air Patrol, Maui Fire Department, Coast Guard, U.S . Coast Guard, Hawaii Department of Transportation, Kahului, Thomson Locations: Maui, Europe, Canada, Hawaii, Lahaina, Hawaiian, U.S, Lahaina ., Kula, South Maui, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Hurricane Dora, Oahu, West Maui, Atlanta, Chicago

☆ These factors are making it hard to combat the deadly Maui wildfires
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Ray Sanchez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —The wildfires in Maui spread swiftly and turned deadly, stunning local officials who were quickly overwhelmed. Fueled by a combination of strong winds and dry conditions – and complicated by the island’s geography – the fires have killed at least 36 people. Moderate drought covers more than one-third of Maui, with some areas experiencing severe drought, according to the US Drought Monitor. Dried-out land and vegetation can provide fuel for wildfires, which then can swiftly turn deadly if strong winds help fan the flames toward communities. “These strong winds coupled with low humidity levels are producing dangerous fire weather conditions” through Wednesday afternoon, the weather service said.

Persons: ” Jennifer Marlon, ”, Clay Trauernicht, ” Marlon, Derek Van Dam, Abby Frazier, ” Frazier, Hurricane Dora, Niño, Frazier, Trauernicht, ” Trauernicht, –, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Yale School of, University of Hawaii, US Drought Monitor, Fourth, National Weather Service, Clark University in, El Nino, Pacific Fire Exchange, of Forestry, Wildlife Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Manoa, Santa Ana, Southern California, Oahu, Clark University in Massachusetts, “, Hurricane, Pacific, ” Hawaii, West Maui

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

☆ The world’s most shark-filled waters
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

There were just 57 confirmed unprovoked shark attacks last year, out of a global population of 8 billion, five of which were fatal. However, some places around the world have much higher rates of shark attacks than others, with the numbers rising with the passing years. Let’s take a look at the locations worldwide with the highest rates of shark attacks between 2012 and 2021 and the reasons they’ve become hot spots. South Africa (29 bites)South Africa had 29 unprovoked shark bites between 2012 and 2021, of which six were fatal. South Carolina (45 bites)None of the 45 unprovoked attacks in South Carolina in the decade-long time frame were fatal.

Persons: Let’s, ”, Gavin Naylor, Gansbaai, they’ve, ” Neil Hammerschlag, “, ” Richard Peirce, orcas, Brad Leue, Chuck Bangley, Fernando de Noronha, Katarina Zarutskie, ” Zarutskie Organizations: CNN, Discovery, Discovery Channel, Warner Bros ., ISAF, Volusia, Florida Program, Shark Research, orcas, Conservation, University of Miami Rosenstiel School, Shark Conservation Society, International, of Oceanography, Aquaculture Locations: New York, Florida, Florida’s Volusia County, ”, Smyrna Beach, Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, Hawaii, Windward Oahu, South Africa, Carolina, South Carolina, Charleston, Horry, Beaufort, ” California, San Diego, California, Brunswick County, North, North Carolina, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Brazil, Pernambuco, Bahamas, Staniel Cay

☆ This 15-year-old swam 28.5 miles around the island of Manhattan: 'I didn't know that I was breaking records'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Maya Merhige swam around the entire island of Manhattan for 28.5 miles, with the support of her crew including her kayaker, Eric. On July 15, Merhige successfully swam around the entire island of Manhattan in eight hours and 43 minutes. 'I didn't know that I was breaking records'The 20 Bridges Swim isn't Merhige's first attempt at a long-distance swim. "When I started swimming, I didn't know that I was breaking the records, at all," she says. In preparation for her long-distance swims, which fall under the category of open water swimming, Merhige usually trains for three months.

Persons: Maya Merhige, Eric, Merhige, who've, Liz Tung, she's, She's, Hamilton, Merhige's, there's, Alexander Hamilton Organizations: Berkeley Calif, Swim, CNBC, Catalina Locations: Manhattan, New York City, Molokai, Oahu, Hawaii, California

☆ I was careless and spent way too much on my Maui vacation. Here are 7 ways I could have saved money.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Jesse Collier | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Jesse Collier spent nearly $6,000 on a 10 -day vacation for two. She says she could've saved money by traveling in the off-season , and preparing some meals herself . It was our first trip since 2019, and my husband and I decided on a tropical getaway to Maui, Hawaii. I was so excited to be on vacation again after spending what felt like an eternity at home that I acted careless with money, which was very unlike me. Here's how I could have saved quite a bit of money on my trip to Hawaii.

Persons: Jesse Collier, could've, Collier, You'll, Boss, let's Organizations: Service, Maui, Coral Gardens Locations: Wall, Silicon, Maui, Hawaii, Coral, Molokini, Wailea, Honolua Bay, Oahu, Kauai, Worth

Tyler’s practice began after he started volunteering at Angola’s hospice program. In addition to gifting quilts to the families of late patients, volunteers would sell them at the prison’s rodeo for funding. “Doing my work made me realize that I have something to offer, that my greatest asset is myself,” Tyler says of revisiting quilting after his release. Also on display is a vitrine of those sourced photographs alongside memorabilia that was circulated in the fight for Tyler’s freedom. “We Are the Willing” will be on view from July 8 through Sept. 6, lscgallery.com.

Persons: Gary Tyler, Rosa Parks, Tyler’s, Tyler, “, ” Tyler, I’ve, ”, Gary, Allison Glenn Organizations: Library Street Locations: Angola, Louisiana, Detroit, Rosa

☆ Jack Johnson’s Oahu
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Celeste Moure | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Born and raised in Oahu’s North Shore, the singer-songwriter Jack Johnson can still remember a time when going surfing in Waikiki on the other side of the island was a bit of a trip. It was mostly dirt roads to get there,” Mr. Johnson said during a video chat from his farm on the island. He also remembers hearing about a local chef, Ed Kinney, who supported and promoted local agriculture. Ed was one of the first chefs, 20 years ago, who was really talking about how important it was to buy local ingredients. Not only for the local economy but also just so that when people are eating out, they’re tasting food that was grown in Hawaii.”

Persons: Jack Johnson, ” Mr, Johnson, Ed Kinney, Ed, ” Locations: Oahu’s North Shore, Waikiki, “, Hawaii

☆ Rio Waida: He grew up with the world's best waves but pioneering Indonesian found surfing success the hard way
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Aaron Hughes/World Surf LeagueDespite Indonesia’s reputation as an iconic surf destination, Waida is the first person from the southeast Asian country to compete on the Championship Tour. “In Indo, we have the best waves and every day is good waves. I lost a lot before I qualified [for the Championship Tour]. However, disappointing results in Australia at the Rip Curl Pro and the Margaret River Pro saw Waida drop down the rankings. It’s tough, surfing against the best surfers … I have to give everything, there’s no easy road.

Persons: Rio, Waida, ”, “, Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning –, Aaron Hughes, I’ve, ” Waida, Slater, Gabriel Medina, John John Florence, Lisi Niesner, Curl, Margaret River, He’s, …, Brent Bielmann, Waida prioritizes Organizations: CNN, Olympics, Surf, Waida, Indonesia –, Tokyo, Paris, Reuters, Billabong Pro Pipeline, Curl Pro, City El Salvador Pro Locations: Indonesian, Bali, Indonesia, California, Europe, Japan, Australia, Brazil, United States, Hawaii, Curl Pro Portugal, Oahu

☆ Travel news: Summer flights, best beaches and tourist-deterring fences
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —In travel news this week, why this summer could be a record-breaking one for air travel, America’s best beaches and Asian-American fusion cuisine – plus an Austrian village takes an unusual approach to combating unwelcome tourist behavior. Celebrating Asian American heritageGrowing up in North Carolina in the 1980s and ’90s, Kevin Lambert always felt different from his White peers. The United States has long been described as a “melting pot,” and it sure is delicious. 1 beach in the United States, which is on the Gulf of Mexico, has miles of pristine sand. nobleIMAGES/Alamy Stock Photo The best beaches in the United States in 2023 Prev NextHalf of the top 10 beaches in the United States for 2023 are in Florida and Hawaii, according to the latest annual report from coastal scientist “Dr.

☆ A drug company abandoned a treatment for ‘bubble boy disease.’ After a 5-year fight, this little girl is about to get it
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Elizabeth Cohen Lauren Mascarenhas | Elizabeth Cohen | Lauren Mascarenhas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +29 min

The Sulacks weighed their options: Have a transplant with a match that was less than ideal – far less – or wait for gene therapy to become available. The news release didn’t say anything else about the SCID gene therapy. Or was the company abandoning its plans for SCID gene therapy altogether? In February, 2021, the parents of more than 20 children who were waiting for the gene therapy treatment, including the Sulacks, wrote a letter to Gaspar. Insurance companies have sometimes balked at paying for gene therapy, which is typically given in one treatment.

☆ 'Lilo & Stitch' live-action remake raises concerns about colorism
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( Harmeet Kaur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Disney’s animated hit “Lilo & Stitch” is getting the live-action treatment, but a reported casting decision has set off a new conversation about colorism in Hollywood. Why some feel Nani’s skin color is relevantThe new “Lilo & Stitch” is based on an animated film and Nani is a fictional, animated character. But unlike “The Little Mermaid,” which is rooted in mythology despite receiving racist backlash over Halle Bailey’s casting in the live-action remake, “Lilo & Stitch” draws from a very real culture and people. The live-action “Lilo & Stitch” is only the latest in a long line of projects that have faced accusations of colorism. Though Connor is disappointed, she hopes the “Lilo & Stitch” remake will otherwise stay true to the original, which she loved so much growing up.

☆ A week in Hawaii on vacation with my toddler cost $4,500, and she'll never remember it. Here's why I'm glad we went anyway.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( Emily Hochberg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

I ruled out my first island choice, Maui, and decided on Oahu as it was more affordable. Emily Hochberg/InsiderI've spent time on Maui before and love it for the variety of activities and ample natural beauty. But a standard room in a four-star hotel cost nearly $1,000 per night when I searched on Google a few months in advance. On Oahu, in Honolulu, on the other hand, I found standard hotel rooms for around $250 to $300 per night on Google. I could book a one-bedroom suite there for the same price as a standard room on Maui.

☆ A Tesla buyer says she effectively lost $10,810 overnight after the carmaker slashed prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tesla has slashed the prices of its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in recent weeks. One said she was pressured to take delivery of her Model Y the day before prices were slashed. Later in December, Tesla deepened the discount on both models, to $7,500, and two weeks into 2023 it cut prices further. A buyer who didn't want to be named for privacy reasons paid $69,000 for a Model Y and took delivery on October 1 after waiting for a year. Following the recent price cuts, the car now starts at $52,990, down from its previous base price of $65,990.

☆ Hawaii surf contest The Eddie returns with women competing alongside men for the first time
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

And this year female surfers will be competing alongside the men for the first time in the 39-year history of The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational. But author Stuart Coleman says The Eddie is distinguished by how it honors Eddie Aikau, a legendary Native Hawaiian waterman, for his selflessness, courage and sacrifice. Coleman said The Eddie is about the best of big wave surfing and the best of Hawaiian culture. “To see women — not only women surfing Waimea but women and men sharing the same event together, with mutual respect and equality — I’m just really thrilled at the thought,” Pennybacker said. Kathleen Pahinui, the chairperson of the North Shore Neighborhood Board, said it will be good for businesses, restaurants and shops.

☆ How China planted an FBI mole who was discovered only after gutting the CIA's vast spy network
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( James Bamford | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +25 min

At the time, four years after the handover from Britain to China, much of Hong Kong remained a world of neon and noise. "Five years ago, everyone looked down on you if you spoke Mandarin," said a Beijing executive living in Hong Kong. As soon as the Hong Kong Arts Festival ended, the Hong Kong International Film Festival began. In February 2006, Alex Ma, China's mole in the FBI, sent David photos he received from his handlers of five suspected human sources. Born in Hong Kong like Alex, Lee grew up in Hawaii and became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

☆ Moving species emerges as last resort as climate warms
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Moving species to save them — once considered taboo — is quickly gaining traction as climate change upends habitats. Concerns persist that the novel practice could cause unintended harm the same way invasive plants and animals have wreaked havoc on native species. “Climate change is causing a greater need for this — for taking a species outside its known historical range.”A pending change to the U.S. “In the future, some species’ ranges may shift due to climate change, or their current habitats might become unsuitable due to invasive species encroachment,” Armstrong said in an email. Humanity has been moving species around for centuries, often inadvertently and sometimes causing great harm.

☆ Macy's is closing another batch of stores in 2023 — here's the full list
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Macy's will close four additional stores across the country in the first quarter of 2023. Macy's has been experimenting with opening smaller concept stores outside of suburban malls. A Macy's spokesperson told Insider that employees at the affected stores would be offered roles at nearby stores or severance packages. Macy's closed stores in 2020, 2021, and 2022, including seven locations in January of last year. The department store chain has been experimenting with opening smaller, trendier concept stores known as Market by Macy's, which are located outside of suburban shopping malls.

☆ I'm a florist for a hotel in Hawaii. My job involves figuring out what's 'trendy' — and yes, flowers do go out of style.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( Molly O'Brien | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Joseph Reyes, 51, is the head florist at Halekulani, a hotel on the beach in Honolulu. His floral team consists of four members with a combined experience of more than 40 years. My small but mighty floral team consists of four members with a combined experience of more than 40 years. All of the arrangements I've posted on our Instagram page (I do our social media, too!). As the hotel gets busier, I hope to get more people on our floral team so we can expand our event offerings.

☆ Turbulent Hawaiian Airlines flight seriously injures 11 people
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

In all, 36 people received medical treatment following Sunday's turbulent Hawaiian Airlines flight for bumps, bruises, cuts and nausea, said Jim Ireland, director of Honolulu Emergency Medical Services. Passenger Kaylee Reyes told Hawaii News Now that her mother had just sat down when the turbulence hit and had not had a chance to buckle her safety belt. There was some internal damage to the aircraft during the turbulence, Snook said. In 2019, 37 passengers and flight crew members were injured when an Air Canada flight from Vancouver to Sydney hit intense turbulence about two hours past Hawaii. Over the Atlantic, a 2017 American Airlines flight from Athens hit severe turbulence along the New York coastline.

In the early 2010s, Mr. Mellow set out for still more distant shores, traveling to many famous surf breaks in the South Pacific. Mr. Abdul-Rashed and Mr. Danian traveled to Hawaii to connect with Mr. Mellow, their spiritual guide and Pacific expedition leader. Mr. Mellow posted an ad on Facebook and Craigslist offering $10,000 for passage to the South Pacific. Mr. Schmidt was in sync with the young seekers when it came to fear of Big Brother and vaccines, but dreading port officials brandishing nasal swabs struck even Mr. Schmidt as a little unhinged. When asked if he was at all responsible for what had happened to Mr. Danian and Mr. Abdul-Rashed, Mr. Mellow looked genuinely confused.

☆ Millions of fire ants threaten to 'rain down' on Hawaii residents and sting them in their sleep, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kauai's most extensive infestation of fire ants poses a health risk to Hawaii's residents and tourists, officials say. Welts caused by fire ants stings can "last for weeks," according to the Kauai Invasive Species Committee. Welts caused by the stings can "last for weeks," the Kauai Invasive Species Committee said, per SFGATE. The Kauai Invasive Species Committee has launched a significant media campaign to alert residents of the free-at-home test kits available to help them detect the presence of the invasive species, SFGATE reported. The Wailua River cuts through the lush tropical vegetation on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Hawaii.

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