On the tarmac at Lihue Airport with the ramps at Southwest Airlines in Kaua’i. This week Eye on Travel arrives from the Cliffs at Princeville on the Garden Isle in Hawaii. Peter will receive a full global travel update as well as a Hawaii reopening report for vaccinated US travelers. Peter is joined by Scott McCartney, Travel Editor for the Wall Street Journal, with an update on passenger complaints and the US Department of Transportation – some progress is being made. Kaua’i Mayor Derek Kawakami shares his challenge: How to manage the growth of tourism at a time when resources are taxed more than ever. An effort to balance the quality of life of the people of Kaua’i with the tourism industry as a double-edged sword. In terms of resources, Lei Wann, Executive Director of Limahuli Garden, talks about the importance of this garden within a garden and the fascinating story behind some of the specimens of plants brought back from other Pacific islands. And of course, Peter answers all of your travel questions. All of this and more is in this week’s special edition Eye on Travel by Aloha.
Tune on July 10th at 10 a.m. ET. You can also stream it by pressing play on the bar that appears above.
Do you have a travel question? Then ask Peter. Email him at peter@petergreenberg.com or tweet your questions to @petersgreenberg (including #AskPeter).
Scott McCartney, Travel Editor for the Wall Street Journal, is participating in the program to discuss recent actions and proposals from the Department of Transportation, which appear to be more consumer-friendly, a marked change especially when compared to the past few years of no-consumer promotions – although the jury still decides on a final judgment. Some of these measures include the DOT, which is proposing fines on airlines that do not issue refunds on flights canceled during the pandemic, including overseas airlines flying to and from the United States. He also talks about a proposal that airlines would reimburse the money a passenger paid for baggage check-in if the airline is unable to deliver the bags to them within 12 hours of the flight. When it comes to change fees, McCartney cautions against being careful when booking, as some airlines still charge change fees for basic economy tickets. According to McCartney, friends don’t let their friends fly in the basic economy. McCartney also talks about the growing concern about sick passengers on airplanes and how airlines seem to be almost encouraging sick passengers to fly when sick, as they’ll charge you the fare difference if you want to change your flight when you’re better. McCartney offers a solution where airlines allow one or two free rebookings per year to encourage people to stay home when they are sick.
Dr. Norman Estin, Founder and Medical Director of Doctors On Call Maui, comments on the roller coaster ride that the past 16 months had been in Hawaii, but the island itself felt like being transported back to the 1940s. Estin speaks of a sense of responsibility when traveling to Hawaii – and in general – of the importance of vaccinations and the current problem with the Delta variant, which is now prevalent worldwide. With more and more vaccinations, however, the rules are relaxed and he passes on his tips for traveling to the island nation.
Lei when, Executive Director of NTBG Limahuli Garden, talks about the importance of the garden within a garden and the story behind some of the plants that were brought back from other Pacific islands. Many of these plants have medicinal uses. She is engaged in research into why their Polynesian ancestors brought certain species and biosecurity with them, which is why we need to care for plants just as they care for us.
Jan TenBruggencate, Journalist, local historian, and author, talks about his story in the Hawaiian Islands, how he landed on Kaua’i, and the massive changes the place has or has not seen over the years. He talks about the influx of tourists, the transportation system, and the beautiful, empty area on the island – it’s hard to get to. TenBruggencate argues that even those who have lived here for a long time will be drawn back by the stunning geography and long film history.
Gary Leff, Founder of ViewfromtheWing.com, shares his latest experience in the air and some of the other challenges both airlines and airports are currently facing. There are some recipes for problems guided by a “low cost strategy”, such as staff shortages. And Leff explains how airlines are branding these new methods. Then he speaks to the recent passenger in a coach seat who got a sewing machine on a plane and started sewing curtains in mid-flight, and no one seemed to care. Then why do most airlines forego in-flight entertainment screens?
Derek Kawakami, Mayor of Kaua’i, talks about balancing the island’s quality of life and why the tourism industry is a double-edged sword with its challenges. The mayor feels that the scales have tipped in a direction that is making matters complex, and it’s important to work internally with the visitor industry to strike a middle ground. Kawakami speaks to the staggering number of travelers returning to Kaua’i. He also talks about educating guests about what Kaua’i is – a community based on respect.
Chandra Bertsch, STAH Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii, speaks about the concerns of overtourism and the difficulty of attracting swarms of visitors to the island in a tourism-dependent economy. Hawaii was blind when the traveling “switch” was turned off at the beginning of the pandemic, pushing the importance of tourism forward. At the same time, the community and the island are dependent on resources. So if they’re not properly managed, this can be a problem. Traveling after a pandemic can be a lesson that brings something new that works for both the economy and the ecosystem. Bertsch is working to educate visitors and locals in order to ensure sustainability and how the type of visitor has changed in the last 20 years.
Thomas Daubert, Executive Director at Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife, reports on some of Hawaii’s endemic birds. You can see them all over the island. Daubert also talks about the importance of preserving and making space for the species with whom we share the island. Daubert talks about local traditions, educates people about local animals and why cats don’t belong on the island (a complex subject). He then talks about the preservation of three shelters, the iconic lighthouse, the history of the region and, as Daubert himself put it, “the majesty of geography”.
Jim Braman, General Manager of The Cliffs at Princeville, talks about the magical place of Kaua’i and the importance of regenerative travel. Leaving the place better than found is the motto, and he argues that it was wonderful to see visitors hugging it. And the hotel itself does a lot to reduce, recycle and generate renewable energy. Braman chats about educating visitors about the local resources and shares some of the silliest questions he’s been asked about visiting the island.
Daniel Leger, President of Clarity Lab Solutions, explains the creation of a simplified in-patient approach to have people tested before their flights – especially at Los Angeles International Airport. Not every country has the same rules and regulations, and Léger speaks of a move from the infectious disease laboratory to mobile testing facilities, which are currently urgently needed.
