Tourism

A lot has changed in Waikīkī over the past 100 years as it's grown to become the center of Hawaiʻi tourism. But what hasn't changed is the ownership of land under many hotels. We get more on that story from Pacific Business News Editor-in-Chief Janis Magin.

A Native Hawaiian nonprofit has successfully preserved Hawaiʻi Island land for generations to come. ‘Anaeho‘omalu Kapalaoa, a 27-acre plot of land in Waikoloa Resort, will now be permanently protected by Nā ‘Ōiwi O Pu‘uanahulu, a Native Hawaiian descendant-led nonprofit.

Kapalua Golf Resort has been without irrigation water for seven days as it grows worried about keeping the Plantation course in shape for the PGA Tour season opener. Kapalua decided to shut down the golf course Tuesday to use what little water was available to the resort.

Honolulu Marathon President Jim Barahal spoke to The Conversation’s Catherine Cruz about the huge increase in the number of runners in all categories: international, U.S. and local.

A lawsuit challenges Hawaiʻi's new tourist tax on cruise ship passengers, claiming it is unconstitutional. Gov. Josh Green signed the legislation in May. It boosts taxes to address climate change issues like eroding shorelines and wildfires. Starting next year, an 11% tax will be levied on cruise ship bills.

Problems with a water delivery system on Maui are raising concerns about whether the PGA Tour can start at Kapalua in January. Kapalua general manager Alex Nakajima says the resort's courses are closing for 60 days starting next Tuesday. He says the goal is for Kapalua to save the water-starved courses and save The Sentry tournament.

Atmos Rewards, the new loyalty program from Hawaiian and Alaska airlines, has officially taken off as the singular way for flyers using either airline to earn points, benefits and status. HPR's Emma Caires breaks it down.

A project to add new resort homes on Oʻahu's North Shore is moving forward after some lengthy delays. The developer Areté Collective says it's working with the community on its next steps. We get more on that story from Pacific Business News Editor in Chief Janis Magin.

Recent improvements at Hawaiʻi airports aim to make the experience more convenient for travelers, like a dedicated security lane for families. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

Hawaiʻi is expecting to collect $100 million a year from the new "Green Fee" tax on hotels and cruise ships that starts next year. The 0.75 percentage point increase to the state’s visitor tax — bringing it to 11% — will be spent on climate resilience. But what types of projects need the funding most? Care for ʻĀina Now, a group that advocated for the Green Fee, wants community input.