Hawaii Travel Update: Breaking Down The Debate Over The October 8th Reopening Of West Maui

From grizzly bears to mountain lions to the American bison, there’s no shortage of majestic megafauna that call the United States home—yet this sprawling nation is no slouch when it comes to avifauna either. The country’s diverse ecosystems have given rise to an incredible array of birds, and as an added bonus, there’s a wealth of fascinating festivals carefully curated to showcase the splendor of the nation’s avian life. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just beginning to enter the craft, these events are perfect for an unforgettable foray into the wide world of birdwatching.

The mayor of the Hawaiian island of Maui detailed the phased reopening of West Maui set to begin this weekend following the devastating fires this summer.

In a dynamic world where technology is rapidly advancing, the hospitality industry is at the precipice of a transformative era. Embracing innovative technologies promises to elevate guest experiences, empower hospitality employees, and streamline operations. Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Türkiye ,  has recognized the potential of technology and is at the forefront of this revolution. In a recent interview with Thynk.Cloud, Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana, sheds light on the future of hospitality and emphasizes the need to break down silos to fully harness the benefits of technology.

A woman in a wheelchair crashed down the gangway of a Carnival cruise ship last year after staff failed to help her, a lawsuit filed last week alleges.

The lead story this morning on one of Oahu’s most trusted news sources, Civil Beat, is about the campaign Hawaii’s tourism executives are leading to convince residents that the return of visitors is imperative for Maui’s recovery.

Kia Karjalainen and her sister were vacationing in Greece when things took an unexpected turn. “We were in our hotel room, and I suddenly said to my sister, ‘It really, really smells of smoke. Is something burning?’”

We’ve known for some time now that West Maui would reopen to tourists on October 8th.

As TPG has previously reported, and you likely know all too well, the Maui wildfires caused significant damage to Lahaina, with more than 2,400 residences destroyed and far too many lives lost. Recovery efforts are still ongoing. And now, the community must deal with the reality of economic recovery while also rebuilding homes and businesses and managing the emotional toll.

The beauty of the River Stour and its valley has long attracted artists, not least John Constable, whose paintings gave the area its ‘Constable Country’ sobriquet. This slice of Essex and Suffolk countryside, with its mills, vineyards and walking trails, continues to inspire to this day. In Dedham, one of its most popular villages, the Art & Craft Centre has work from over 60 artisans and collectors for sale; to get involved, join a painting course at the 15th-century manor house of Dedham Hall.   

While the Caribbean is home to its fair share of wildlife-filled islands—Saint Lucia, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico, to name a few—one of the region’s most underrated ecotourism destinations measures in at just a mere thirteen square kilometers in area. Known as Saba, this dazzling Dutch overseas region holds a king-sized level of biodiversity in spite of its small size, packed full of fascinating fish, reptiles, and birds for visitors to marvel at—and when it comes to avian life in particular, the Saba Bird Fest is one of the island’s most unmissable events.

From just outside the burn zone in Lahaina, Jes Claydon can see the ruins of the rental home where she lived for 13 years and raised three children. Little remains recognizable beyond the jars of sea glass that stood outside the front door.

Stretching along an island in the St Lawrence River, Montréal has a complicated soul thanks to its blend of French and English heritage. You can explore this dichotomy and much more – art, music, dining – in its diverse neighborhoods.