Tourism

...In the middle of this process, sometimes a letter from the Governor arrives saying, “We need to make some adjustments...."

...Air Service to Hawai‘i Increased 9.7 percent in January....

...the court held they could be held liable, even though it is their home, first concluding that renting out a room in your home qualifies as offering a public accommodation, even though it is your residence....

...HTA’s autonomy, which includes permanent funding and an exemption from the State Procurement Code, has facilitated lax oversight, deficient internal controls, and, ultimately, less accountability....

...In other cases, incidents first reported as drone collisions turned out to involve a bat, an internal malfunction and a plastic bag....

...the Mayor acknowledged the need to overhaul the permit rules, to support competitive opportunities....

...Construction is scheduled to begin in five years....

...American Samoa is not in compliance with the REAL ID Act and Federal agencies will not accept driver's licenses and identification cards from American Samoa as of February 5, 2018....

...$16.78 Billion in Visitor Spending; $1.96 Billion in Generated Tax Revenue; 9.38 Million Visitor Arrivals; 12.23 Million Air Seats Serving Hawai‘i; 204,000 Jobs Supported Statewide....

...the cost only adds more stress, with the average couple shelling out over $35,000 for their big day....

....more money and less accountability....

...More than 100 Trails in Na Ala Hele Trail & Access Program Featured....

“...The state has a responsibility to ensure its natural resources are managed in a scientifically credible way for the benefit of all its citizens. We look forward to being partners in this important work....”

...Statewide Average Daily Rate Rose to $319 in December -- Highest of Any Month in 2017....

...the vessel is already in service and hosting tours along the West side of Oahu....

..."This means there are way more than suspected filers actually paying their transient accommodation taxes than originally estimated"....

...Hawaii Visitor Accommodation Units Surpassed 80,000 Statewide in 2017....

...“They were virtually unheard of in the U.S. 10 years ago”....

...Visitors to the Hawaiian Islands spent a total of $1.29 billion in November 2017, an increase of 4.5 percent compared to a year ago....

...Tourists are attracted to places with well-known Rat Lungworm infestations.  it is a selling point.  Really....

...Improving global conditions provide a favorable environment for continued expansion in the Islands....

...Top HTA Exec solicited thousands of dollars in travel perks from Hawaiian, JAL, Starwood, China Air, and others.... 

...four alternatives proposed for the facility....

...The pilot program requires the rideshare drivers to pay 7 percent of each fare to the state Airports Division....

Should they re-evaluate their tax filings now that the Department’s litigation position is out in the public for all to see?

"...air seats will increase by 8.5 percent during the first three quarters of 2018....”

...This report evaluates twelve publicly released agreements that Airbnb has entered with state or local governments....

...the report concludes that Hawaii is not yet at the stage of overtourism....

“The Airports Division expects near-term traffic results will be better than projected due to Island Air expanding interisland traffic...." -- Fitch Ratings, October 26, 2017

Vacation house rules in works: Regulating ‘unhosted’ rentals seen as way to preserve housing for residents....

...Upgrades provide easier navigation and more information....

...DLNR continues to believe that existing aquarium fishing practices are sustainable and environmentally sound....

...Visitor Spending Rose 7.1 Percent to $12.56 Billion in First Three Quarters of 2017--Arrivals Increased 4.9 Percent to 7 Million Visitors....

...Impact Also Includes 31,727 Jobs and $263 Million in State & Local Taxes....

...bills passed by the Honolulu City Council last week create and authorize the Waikīkī Transportation Management Special Improvement District....

Total visitor arrivals rose 4.8 percent to 818,581....

...The TAT, when it was enacted in 1986, was primarily meant to fund the Hawaii Convention Center....

...Visitor spending statewide increased through the first seven months of 2017 (+8.9% to $9.95 billion)....

...Visitor Arrivals Increased 4.3 Percent to 4.6 Million....

...American Samoa seeks federal avaition cabotage waiver....

One of the legislative bills that is now being considered by Gov. David Ige is a curious bill, HB 735, involving the car rental industry.... 

...In addition, total visitor arrivals rose 4.5 percent to 751,191....

...prepare for a new phase of de-vitalization of Banyan Drive....

...state lawmakers are eager to capture $26 million dollars in tax money every year from short-term vacation rentals....

...Four Largest Visitor Markets Reported Growth in Spending and Arrivals....

...the home sharing economy helps locals deal with Hawaii’s cost of living....

Prospects are good for continued growth in each of Hawaii’s four counties, if at a slower pace than in recent years....

It's easier than ever before to rent space in your house, but a movement to crack down on home-sharing may threaten this new and evolving industry....

...Japan Market Led the Growth in Spending and Arrivals....

...Shifting Burden to Hotels Will Hurt Tourism and Employment....