The Hawaii Tourism Authority issued a news release over the weekend announcing that all of the Hawaiian Islands remain unaffected by recent volcanic activity, except for a remote area on the east side of Hawaii Island.
In response to increased volcanic activity and a new flow of lava that began on May 3 from Kilauea volcano on Hawaii Island, state and county government agencies are keeping residents safe, while assuring travelers the impact is limited to a remote region on the east side, far away from the rest of the Hawaiian Islands, according the HTA news release.
"We are allocating all necessary state resources to keep our residents safe in this rural area on the island of Hawaii where the volcanic activity is occurring,” said Hawaii Governor David Ige. “We have heard from people around the world concerned about Hawaii's welfare and want to reassure everyone that this is limited to a remote region on the slopes of Kilauea volcano. Everywhere else in the Hawaiian Islands is not affected."
George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the HTA, said that the safety of residents and visitors is always the tourism industry's top priority, while adding that travelers with a trip already booked to the Hawaiian Islands or in the planning stages can be put at ease knowing their vacation experience will be unaffected.
"No flights into airports anywhere in Hawaii are being impacted by Kilauea volcano and the area where the lava is coming to the surface is very far from resort areas throughout the Hawaiian Islands where visitor accommodations are located,” said Szigeti.
According to the HTA, the closest resort areas, in Kona and the Kohala Coast on the Hawaii Island's west side, are more than 100 miles away from where the lava flow is occurring and shielded by the massive mountains of Maunakea and Maunaloa. Resort areas located on Oahu and Kauai, and in Maui County, are located hundreds of miles from Kilauea volcano, according to the HTA.
Kilauea has been an active volcano since 1983 and is one of Hawaii's most popular attractions. Due to the volcanic activity there is a no-fly zone over Kilauea volcano, according to the HTA.
Visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org
Related Stories
Stats: Hawaii on the Rise for Summer Travel This Year
Alaska Airlines Begins Removing Virgin America Presence