Hawaii Flooding No Reason to Cancel Upcoming Trips, Says Hawaii Tourism Authority
by Briana Bonfiglio
Waikiki Beach hotels have discounted resident rates for evacuees. Photo: James Kirkikis / Shutterstock.com
Severe storms have pummeled Hawaii with flooding since Friday, causing damage to homes and evacuations of thousands of residents, some of whom are seeking shelter at hotels.
About 5,500 were evacuated on Oahu, 230 rescued, and no deaths were reported, according to AP News. In the worst flooding the state has seen in two decades, there is also damage to Maui structures and roads that could affect travelers’ itineraries.
Still, Hawaii Tourism Authority has told visitors that the flooding is “no reason to cancel or postpone upcoming trips.”
“Conditions are expected to improve gradually with more typical trade wind showers returning early this week,” the organization said in an update on March 23. “For today, however, flooding remains possible in the watch areas and visitor operations may continue to experience localized disruptions depending on rainfall, road conditions and provider-specific decisions.”
Visitors expecting to drive on roads should be aware of possible road closures and check the state’s Department of Transportation website for updates.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green has also ordered some of the most touristed hotels on Oahu to offer kamaaina (resident) rates to displaced Hawaiians starting at $191 per night. More than a dozen hotels on Waikiki Beach are offering the rates to evacuees, according to Hawaii Emergency Management.
