Hawaii Volcanoes :: What’s happening on the islands?

The million dollar question; Is it safe & should we continue to Travel & Book Meetings & Incentives Business on the Islands? 

Yes, Absolutely…. Run, Swim, Paddle or Surf. Whatever you do, do it quickly & book it in Hawaii. Hawaii is hugely dependent on travelers coming to visit whether it’s for a meeting, an incentive or to just surf. And, now more than ever, they could use our support. 

It’s been two weeks after the volcanoes started flowing and it is absolutely still affecting a number of residential neighborhoods on the Big Island of Hawaii. But Hawaii tourism officials are consistently reminding travelers that the island chain is vast and the most popular island destinations are several hundred miles from the geologic activity. And even on the Big island of Hawaii, most tourism areas are unaffected. Here's what USA Today reported yesterday for travelers considering trips to the islands;   

"Should you go? 

Ross Birch, executive director of the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau, wants travelers to know that they can land on the island and still enjoy their time despite the volcanic eruption happening at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Lava flows are a normal occurrence at the park, which houses two active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Birch says a lot of damage has been done, but that it has occurred in fewer than 10 square miles on an island that has around 4,028 square miles of coverage.

“It’s a severe impact to a very, very small part of the population,” he says.

The Big Island’s economy is heavily dependent on tourism, and so far hotels and airlines are reporting few cancellations. Helicopter flights over the lava flows — always a popular tourist trip — are largely booked up days in advance.

No hotels, restaurants or other attractions have closed as a result of the volcanic eruption.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority notes the impact is limited to a remote region on the east side of the island far from Hawaii’s five other islands. The closest resort areas, in Kona and the Kohala Coast on the island’s west side, are more than 100 miles away from the lava flow. Those tourist areas are shielded by the massive mountains of Maunakea and Maunaloa, the tourism authority said. 

Other Hawaiian islands, including Oahu, Maui and Kauai, have not been affected, the authority says." 

So, I say book your trip, your helicopter ride and pack your best camera. You may not get as close as these professional photographers in the image but you should get some great photos & should absolutely feel good about spending money on the islands for your next Company Meeting, Incentive, Top Sales Production Celebration or simply just even with your family creating memories.