The Hawaii Traveler

In what was already a grim atmosphere in the financial sector, Lehman Brothers filed for  Chapter 11 Bankruptcy yesterday.  One of the markets hardest hit in the shuffle is tourism. So it stands to reason that the year’s shakeup and yesterday’s collapse of an economic giant continues to weaken Hawai’i’s already tremulous  visitor industry as people hold off on vacations and other large purchases.But with visitor counts down, and retailers slashing prices, and tourism packages upping the ante with a free night’s stay, free meals, and other complimentary offerings, the time is right for less financially anxious visitors to make …read more

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News from the This Oil Crisis Sucks files: the Moloka’i ferry I’ve mentioned here at The Hawaii Traveler raised its rates today by adding a temporary fuel surcharge.  The regular $40 one-way fare to/from Maui and Moloka’i will now cost you $66.  Work commuters are certainly going to be the most hard-hit from the hike, but Sea Link, the ferry operator is appealing to the PUC for a special concession to avoid shutting down.Unlike other operators like the Superferry, Sea Link  receives no subsidies, loan guarantees or other special considerations from government; gas prices combined with declining tourist turn-out in …read more

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