Hawaii

(Dive Travel Business - May 13, 2011) -- The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) released preliminary figures for international visitor arrivals to the Asia and Pacific region for the first quarter of 2011. The results show a year-on-year increase of 5 percent. The sharp fall in arrivals to Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, coupled with the decline in arrivals from the Middle East and North Africa, contributed to the subdued 3 percent growth seen for the whole region in March. International visitor arrivals to South Asia grew by 10 percent in March and 13 percent in the first quarter. All the leading destinations in the Indian-subcontinent -- India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka -- reported double-digit growth for the quarter.

(Dive Travel Business News -  March 18, 2011) -- Two resorts on Hawaii’s Big Island -- the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and the Kona Village Resort  -- remain closed in order to undertake repairs and clean-up caused by the  tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011, which reached the shores of Hawaii. Both properties are located on the Big Island’s Kona Coast.

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is closed until April 30 due to damage from the recent earthquake-generated tsunami. The Resort sustained damage from the storm surge, which brought water, sand and debris onto the grounds. Clean-up and repair efforts have already begun. All guests with reservations prior to April 30 are being contacted by the hotel reservations team to make alternate arrangements. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - July 9, 2010) -- Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a bill aimed at banning shark feeding in state waters, including Oahu shark cage tours operated on the island's north shore.

Violators of House Bill 2583 would have been charged $5,000 for each offense and had their vessels impounded.

Lingle said in her July 6 veto message that the proposed legislation was unconstitutional because it addressed more than one topic. HB 2583 was originally crafted to manage impoundment fees linked to vessels moored without authorization. Language related to the ban on shark feeding was included later.

See DTBN's previous background article here.

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(Dive Travel Business News - May 31, 2010) --  Governor Linda Lingle of Hawaii has signed a landmark bill that prohibits the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins, an ingredient in expensive shark fin soup served in Asian restaurants. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - May 6, 2010 ) -- A proposal to ban the trade of shark fins was introduced by Sen. Clayton Hee on April 28, 2010 in the Hawaii Legislature. Senate Bill 2169 prohibits the possession, sale and distribution of shark fins in the state of Hawaii.

State Sen. Clayton Hee is rallying support for the legislation he introduced that would make Hawaii a leader in the global fight to end shark finning. The practice involves cutting the fins off sharks, then discarding the live animals in the ocean to drown. The debate over shark finning in Hawaii is a controversial issue in the legislature. But Hee says shark fishing is insignificant when compared with the total fish take in Hawaii, and longline fishermen do not even fish for sharks. read more »

(DiveTravelBusinessNews.com -- January 16, 2010) -- Known by divers for such wonders as the humuhumu-nukunuku-a-pua’a – Hawaii’s state fish, Hawaii offers more than undersea adventures. The Telegraph provides tips for topside activities on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island in this recent article by Alexandra Ferguson. Also available are resource links.

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(April 3, 2008 - DTN) -- Hilton Hotels has added the new Dolphin Quest Village unit at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Hawaii. The three-building unit (designed to be “green” structures) will feature an “Encounter Club” and a learning center to enhance guests’ experiences with the hotel’s Dolphin Quest Learning Lagoon. read more »