TRAVEL NEWS:

Travel Weekly reports that Hawaii's legislature recently convened a special committee to study the effects that vog (volcanic gases) are having on its residents and tourists.
The Big Island's Kiluaea Volcano opened a second vent in March causing the release of double the usual amount of toxic gases into the air. Complaints of eye and throat irritation and damage to local crops have increased.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports "Sulfur dioxide, a pollutant that is also generated by burning coal and oil, can lead to asthma and other respiratory illnesses and aggravate lung and heart disease. When combined with dust and sunlight, it makes vog. Mixed with atmospheric moisture, it produces acid rain."
Still tourism to the Big Island to see the new vent and lava remains unaffected. Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism reports that new visitors to Hawaii is up 2.8% in the first quarter of 2008.

Honolulu International Airport is expanding its food concession area. The $20 million renovation to the airport's food facilities area will be located within the passenger security area.
California Pizza Kitchen, Jamba Juice, Cold Stone Creamery and Samurai Sushi are some of the restaurants that are set to open.

Another airline serving Hawaii suspended services today. American Trans Air, better known as ATA, "discontinued all operations" today after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 2, 2008.
The 35-year-old airline states that it is discontinuing services because it has lost a key contract for its military charter business.
ATA operated passenger services on the US mainland and Hawaii. A link on its website provides a list of other airlines that provide service to its destinations. The airline's shutdown will affect 2,200 employees.

Aloha Airlines announced today that it will "shut down passenger operations after March 31, 2008."
The 61-year-old airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 21, 2008.
The airline states that they are shutting down operations because they could not find a "qualified buyer" for their passenger service.
David A. Banmiller, Aloha Airlines' president and chief executive officer, stated that the airline's shutdown was because of "unfair competition." The airline's shutdown will affect 1,900 employees.

Aloha Airlines filed for and received Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection on March 21, 2008. The airline offers the following advice for its customers:

Q: Will tickets, coupons and reservations for future Aloha flights be honored throughout the reorganization process?
A: We will be asking the Bankruptcy Court to allow us to continue operations so that we can honor existing reservations, accept new reservations, and carry on our cargo and contract services businesses. As long as the Court accepts our financial plan to continue operating, it should be business as usual.
Q: Does the Chapter 11 filing affect the AlohaPass frequent flyer program?
A: As long as the Court allows us to keep operating there should be no change to the AlohaPass program.
Q: What if I am holding a reservation and will be traveling in the next 48 hours, can I still expect my Aloha flight to operate?
A: Yes as long as the Court allows us to operate.
Q: Will this affect the safety of Aloha Airlines operations?
A: Safety will always remain Aloha’s top priority.
Q: Will this mean a reduction in inter-island or transpacific flight schedules?
A: At this time we are not anticipating any reduction.
Q: Can passengers request a refund for unused unrestricted refundable tickets?
A: YES. There are no changes to Aloha’s refund and ticketing policies.

In cases of this kind, experts advise consumers to use credit cards if they choose to conduct business with companies in bankruptcy. The Fair Credit Billing Act states that credit card customers have the right to refuse to pay charges for services not rendered.

Hawaii will attempt to be the first state in the country to establish a wave energy project. Initially, the wave energy project will convert wave power to electricity for 3000 homes on Maui. The project is expected to be operational by the end of 2009.
Through the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, Hawaii has set a goal of having at least 70 percent of its power come from clean energy by 2030.
Governor Linda Lingle stated that Hawaii will be a "testbed" for solar, wind, wave, geothermal and bioenergy projects.
A press release from her office adds, "Hawaii is the most oil dependent state in America, with 90 percent of our energy supply derived from imported fossil fuels. The unconnected power grids of our islands and our location as the world’s most isolated archipelago add to the challenges. As a result, we pay the highest utility rates and transportation fuel costs in the nation."

Michelle Wie finished tied for last place in the Fields Open Golf Tournament on Oahu, Hawaii, on Sunday. The Fields Open was the first golf tournament of the year for the 18-year-old. Last year she made the cut twice in eight golf tournament tries. She stated that this year her goals are to "stay in the present" and "not to think about last year." Wie stated that she has not made any decisions yet on her next golf tournament.

The Kona International Airport, on the Big Island, will receive $3,000,000. for construction upgrades. The state funded project will make improvements to disabled passengers' access gates, security checkpoint lanes and shelters protecting passengers during inclement weather. The contruction improvements will start in March and last for seven months.

Oahu's Waimea Valley will close for one week starting February 1, 2008, and re-open February 8, 2008, to facilitate the management change-over from the National Audubon Society to Hiilei Aloha, a non-profit private company. Waimea Valley is a park that is known for its botanical and ecological resources for the general public.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), who are directing the park's transition, states that there will be more cultural events and a park fee increase because the Waimea Valley had been losing half a million dollars a year in recent years. The OHA states that during the closure, personnel will get additional training to prepare them for the changes and there will be structural improvements, such as, new signs.

Today the Hawaii Superferry resumed passenger service to Maui from Oahu and was met by a crowd of environmental and community protestors at the Maui Kahului Harbor. The protestors were on surf boards, in a canoe, and on land. Passengers were met with shouts of, "We don't want you here." The Coast Guard and other law enforcement officers were on-hand to ensure the safety of protestors and passengers.
The Hawaii Superferry had been banned from using the Maui Kahului Harbor through an injuction by Maui Circuit Court Judge Joseph Cordoza in October. Because of the injuction the ferry service had to shutdown until an environmental assessment of the harbor had been completed.
Through a special session of the Hawaii Legislature and a bill signed into law by Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle, the ferry service has been allowed to continue while the environmental assessment is being completed.