Fellows mentioned in this story: Mahina Paishon

From Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is requesting that the governor declare a tourism emergency in the wake of devastating wildfires in Maui and Hawai‘i counties, and if approved it would be the first such declaration and allow the agency to tap into a $5 million special fund.

A state law allows the HTA board to request the governor to declare a tourism emergency if a recent catastrophic event “adversely affects Hawai‘i’s tourism industry by resulting in a substantial interruption in the commerce of the State and adversely affecting the welfare of its people.”

If Gov. Josh Green approves HTA’s request it would be the first time that the state law has been used to declare a tourism emergency. Green’s approval would give HTA the ability to tap into a $5 million emergency special tourism fund.

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