hawaii tourism | Hawaii Public Radio

The Conversation: State Labor Director on Extention of CARES Act Program

By Catherine Cruz & Jason Ubay • Jan 14, 2021

State Labor Director; House Finance Outlook; Reality Check: Remote Learning Initiative; Outrigger Hotels

State Labor Director

Navigating Challenging Business Currents

By A. Kam Napier • Dec 11, 2020

It’s been a year of dramatic changes around the world, and that’s certainly true for the hospitality industry in Hawaii. One well-known executive has shifted her professional focus — looking to work with other business leaders in a different way.

The Conversation: Hope on the Horizon for Hawaii Air Travel

By Catherine Cruz, Lillian Tsang & Jason Ubay • Dec 9, 2020

State of Hawaii's airline industry; Checking in on Hawaii's small businesses; Addressing Hawaii's illiterate population; Public access in the time of COVID; Hawaiian Soul, a new film on George Helm

The Latest: 10 Deaths, 106 New Cases; BOE Chair Paints Grim Budget Picture For Schools

By Ashley Mizuo & Ryan Finnerty & HPR News Staff & Sandee Oshiro • Dec 4, 2020

Updated: 12/4/2020, 12:23 p.m.

The state Department of Health reported 10 deaths and 106 new COVID-19 cases today -- a startling increase in fatalities. Because of the department's two-day delay in posting new numbers, the counts represent cases from Wednesday.

Some counties are reporting more timely numbers that may differ from the state's counts.

According to the state numbers, Oahu had 73 new cases, Maui County 15, Hawaii County 11, and Kauai 3. Lanai and Molokai had none. Four more were diagnosed out of state.

The Latest: 85 New COVID Cases; Experts Say Hawaii's Tourism Economy Needs More Aid, Future Planning

By HPR News & Casey Harlow & Bill Dorman • Nov 30, 2020

Vernon Brown/Wikipedia Commons / Creative Commons 2.0 License

Updated: 11/20/2020, 12:25 p.m. The state Department of Health reported no deaths and 85 new COVID-19 cases today. Because of the department's two-day delay in posting new numbers, the counts represent cases from Saturday.

Some counties are reporting more timely numbers that may differ from the state's counts.

According to the state numbers, Oahu had 66 new cases, Maui 9, Hawaii County 4, Kauai 1, Molokai 1 and Lanai one. There were 4 new cases diagnosed out of state.

The Conversation: Travelers Take Wait and See Approach to Booking Trips

By Catherine Cruz • Nov 18, 2020

People optimistic with travel plans; Pacific Islander translators; City trying to keep public transit safe; The Long View with Neal Milner: the continuing rural and urban political divide; Water buffalo return to Kauai to work rice fields

Hawaii Island Considers 'Geofence' For Quarantined Tourists

By Associated Press • Jul 24, 2020

Gerardo Lazzari/Wikimedia Commons / Creative Commons License 2.0

Officials on the Big Island are reviewing an idea that would allow tourists to roam freely on resorts while their movements are tracked to ensure they stay inside the boundaries of the facilities.

Travelers With A COVID-19 Test May Skip Quarantine Starting In August

By Ryan Finnerty • Jun 24, 2020

As of August 1st, travelers coming to Hawaii will be exempt from the state’s mandatory 14-day quarantine if they first get tested for COVID-19 and are negative for the virus.

The Conversation: Marketing Hawaii Tourism

By Catherine Cruz • Jun 2, 2020

We're counting down to June 16. That's when interisland travel restrictions will be relaxed and Hawaii moves one step closer to reopening transpacific flights.

Today we talk marketing strategies and have invited representatives from the airline, hotels and industry trackers to our round table talk.

Locals Take Back Tourist-Free Waikiki During Pandemic

By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher • May 31, 2020

HONOLULU (AP) — Growing up in Hawaii, Amber Lethem's family avoided Waikiki, the world-famous tourist mecca.

The Conversation: Hawaii Mission House on the Road

By Catherine Cruz • Oct 3, 2019

Menehune Mystery; Mission Houses Living History; Tourism "Green Fee"; New Zealand Ohia

Chinese Tourism To Hawaii Is On The Decline, Is The Trade War To Blame?

By Ryan Finnerty • Aug 5, 2019

Recently released data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority shows that Chinese visitor arrivals dropped 25 percent in the first half of 2019. It was a on a downward trend before President Trump’s trade war.

BLS Report: Hawaii Leisure, Hospitality Industry Lost More Than Gained Jobs Last Year

By Amy Nakamura • Jun 7, 2019

The U.S. Department of Labor released its latest statistics Friday on Hawaii’s job market, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) finding that the leisure and hospitality industry lost more jobs than it gained in the third quarter of 2018.

Economist: Overtourism And Crowding Is A Pricing Problem

By Sandee Oshiro • May 27, 2019

The number of tourists coming to Hawai'i has grown in the past three decades, but their spending in real dollars has remained the same. While visitors make up the state's major industry, their presence adds to the wear and tear on the roads, parks and trails, and there's often no charge for their use.

International Students Continue To Fuel State's Economy

By Catherine Cruz • Dec 3, 2018

A new study recently released by the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism shows International students help to contribute close to a billion dollars to our state coffers.

Dennis Ling, the administrator for the department’s Development and Support Division talks about this bright spot on our horizon.

Lāna‘i 3.0

By A. Kam Napier • Aug 31, 2018

Dozens of former Lāna‘i residents have returned to the island to help chart its future, including Pulama Lānai’s COO. Pacific Business News Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier, has more.

The Conversation: Friday, June 8th, 2018

By Catherine Cruz & Chris Vandercook • Jun 8, 2018

Overtourism in Hawaii; Volcano Photographer Displaced by Flow; Examining Kamehameha’s Legacy; World Ocean’s Day