Northstar

36 | www.travelweekly-asia.com DESTINATION Hawaii Hawaii updates and evergreen advice from a Virtuoso affi liate. The 'ohana connection By Tovin Lapan It has been a tumultuous travel year for Hawaii, mostly due to a series of natural disasters that caused extensive damage in some areas and wreaked havoc on transportation, tour schedules and access to certain attractions. The visitors keep coming, though, and 2018 has still been a strong year overall, albeit below projections, for arrivals and spending. Hawaii Island was impacted the most by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that closed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, its most visited attraction, for several months before its September 22 reopening. That was followed by Hurricane Lane at the end of August, which lashed all of the islands with high winds and heavy rains but hit Hawaii Island the hardest. The chain of natural disasters started in April, when the north shore of Kauai suffered landslides and fl ooding after a weekend of record rainfall. Chelsea Martin, owner of Austin, Texas-based Passport to Friday, an affi liate of Strong Travel Services and Virtuoso, specialises in luxury travel, and the San Diego native grew up taking regular vacations to Kauai. She recently took a trip to the Aloha State, during which she visited the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai. After she got back from her transpacifi c trip, Martin shared some general and Hawaii-specifi c vacation-planning tips plus her latest favourites and updates on where to go and what to do on all of the most visited islands. Compared to other destinations, is Hawaii an easy or hard place to work with in terms of meeting clients' expectations and the infrastructure to make bookings and get things done effi ciently? I fi nd it to be easy and consistent. The hoteliers and travel partners I have worked with in Hawaii have been extremely accommodating, knowledgeable and make you feel like a part of their 'ohana (family). What's your own dream itinerary for Hawaii? I personally would love to do a few nights at each Four Seasons property. They all offer something completely different but are the epitome of luxury. End with a couple of nights at the Travaasa Hana for some time to really slow down and relax. Where did you go and what did you do on your most recent Hawaii visit in September? My most recent trip to Hawaii was with the Maui Visitors Bureau, and we went to Maui, Molokai and Lanai. While I had been to Maui many times before, it was great to be able to experience Molokai and Lanai, two islands which are close to Maui but less frequented. The trip as a whole was benefi cial to explore two new islands as well as see a different side to the Islands with an emphasis on Hawaiian culture. What sets Hawaii apart or distinguishes it from other tropical and island destinations? The culture. I know I may sound like a broken record, but there is so much history in Hawaii that goes beyond just gorgeous beaches and nice hotels. Every time I step off the plane in Hawaii, I feel a sense of place and immediately feel at home. Did the recent natural disasters impact interest in Hawaii among your clients one way or another? It has defi nitely been a topic of concern, but my job as a travel adviser is to educate my clients on what's truly going on and advise them on how to make decisions based on that. In your opinion, are there any aspects of the tourism industry that could be improved in Hawaii? More emphasis on the true Hawaiian culture! A lot of aspects have gotten commercialised over the years, and I think it is time tourists embraced the roots of Hawaiian culture rather than just a conceptualised version. Are there certain experiences and places you fi nd yourself continually recommending in Hawaii for families? Couples? Active- outdoorsy travellers? Kauai holds a special place in my heart. I love doing a combination of north shore (Hanalei, Princeville) and south shore (Poipu) for my clients; both areas feel completely different and offer different experiences, especially for those who love to explore. I love to propose the combination of Maui and Lanai for honeymooners, to give them a balanced mix of being in the action and in seclusion. I also love the Four Seasons Hualalai on Hawaii Island for couples; it is one of my favourite hotels in the world. For families, Oahu and Maui both have an abundance of activities and great family-friendly resorts. What's your advice for travel agents who may just be getting started with Hawaii as a destination? Utilise the tourism boards. They offer extensive training that helps tremendously and are always there to assist. Secondly, go for yourself and see Hawaii. No education is better than being there in person. Hawaii Island. PHOTO CREDITS: HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

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