Latest on Hurricane Lane: Airline Waivers, Tourist Attractions Close

by Jessica Montevago August 23, 2018

Hawaii is bracing for what could be the first major hurricane to make landfall there in 26 years.

Hurricane Lane is continuing to move closer to the Hawaiian islands with sustained winds of 145 mph. Forecasters say it’s “on course to pass very close” to the islands or make landfall from Thursday through Friday. The Category 4 storm will bring dangerous winds, landslides and heavy rain causing major flooding.

Hurricane Lane Strengthens, Threatening Hawaiian Islands

Gov. David Ige urged residents on Wednesday to “be prepared to shelter in place with 14 days of food supplies and water and any other necessities.”

Hurricane warnings are in effect for the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Hurricane watches have been posted for Oahu, including the popular Waikiki Beach, and Kauai.

“Visitors planning to travel to or who are already here in the Hawaiian Islands should contact their airlines, accommodations and activity providers for information on being prepared and make adjustments to travel plans as needed,” the Hawaii Tourism Authority said in an advisory.

Across the state, major tourist attractions are closing to visitors. All state parks on Hawaii Island and Maui are closed as of Wednesday; and park closures for Oahu go into effect Thursday morning, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Closures for Kauai will be announced depending on storm track. On Maui, Haleakala National Park will remain closed through Friday evening.

All beach parks on Hawaii Island, from South Point north to Kohala, will be closed until further notice.

The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Honolulu closed the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center until further notice. In addition, USS Arizona Memorial boat tours have been suspended.

Airlines issue travel waivers for passengers
The 15 airports throughout the state will remain open as long they do not suffer damage to their infrastructure or the debris “makes flight operations unsafe,” the Hawaii Department of Transportation said in a statement.

Hawaiian Airlines is issuing a one-time reservation change with a change-fee waiver for passengers with tickets through Aug. 26, on Hawaiian or the airline’s codeshare flights. Changes must be rebooked to new flights no later than Sept. 9 for any difference in fares to be waived, provided that the change is from coach to coach or first class to first class, and there is no change in origin and destination. For changes made to new flights after Sept. 9, the change fee will be waived but the applicable difference in fares will be collected.

United Airlines has also waived fees for travelers in Hawaii through Sunday, for new flights departing on or before Sept. 9.

Delta has issued waivers for travel on Thursday and Friday for customers traveling through Honolulu, Kona, Lihue, and Maui to make a one-time change to their travel itinerary without incurring a fee.

Alaska Airlines will waive the change fees through Saturday and the difference in the price of the ticket if the new travel is booked to or from the affected cities in the same cabin and travel is completed on or before Aug. 30, 2018.

Air Canada, WestJet, and American Airlines have also issued similar waivers.