It’s been a rough go for Hawaii of late. Visits from Canada are down, and they’ve struggled to regain their once super-strong Japanese market. There’s also, of course, the devastating fire that destroyed most of the lovely, funky town of Lahaina. Maui in 2023.
On top of all that, the state suffered a series of devastating rainstorms over the past couple weeks when a Kona low, an unusual low-pressure weather system, parked itself over the island for days on end. There was some damage to roads and infrastructure, but I’m happy to report that the skies are sunny again and things have pretty much returned to normal.
“Weather conditions are improving, and flood alerts have expired across all islands. Conditions vary by island and neighborhood. Most of the state is open and operating” the Hawaii Tourism Authority said in a statement I received by email. “It is encouraged that all reservations, especially activity and excursion bookings, be confirmed directly with the provider before departure.”
The delightful town of Haleiwa on the north shore of O’ahu was damaged in the storms, but officials said they’re welcoming visitors and that the vast majority of businesses have reopened.
A top front office worker at a major resort on Maui told they suffered only minimal damage. There was some brown water from runoff at the resort’s beach, but the weather has been perfect the past few days and that’s no longer an issue, she said.
“The guests that are here now are loving it because the weather is so beautiful,” the official said.
The resort, however, lost some bookings during the storm and some bookings for later, as potential customers weren’t sure when things would return to normal.
Ka’anapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii. Pexels photo by upgraded points.
The authority said visitors should observe restricted areas and respect all posted signage as some remain closed for assessment and active recovery.
The HTA said the recent Kona low weather system brought heavy rainfall and flooding to parts of the Hawaiian Islands. But it said things are better now.
“Recovery is underway, and visitors can have a meaningful role in that path forward. Tourism supports a significant number of jobs statewide — when travelers choose to come, they help sustain local families, small businesses, and communities working to rebuild,” officials said.
For island-specific updates on conditions and attractions, visit gohawaii.com.
For the latest weather updates, visit weather.gov/hfo.
NFL GOING DOWN UNDER
Date and ticket details have officially been announced for the first-ever NFL regular season game in Australia, set to take place in Melbourne this September.
The blockbuster season opener will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds on Sept. 11 and feature two NFC West rivals; the San Francisco 49ers (yay) and The Los Angeles Rams (mixed reaction).
This September, Melbourne is set to make global sporting history by becoming the first city in the world to host an international tennis Grand Slam, a Formula One Grand Prix and an NFL Regular Season game. Pretty cool.
Melbourne, Australia. Pexels/Tiff Ng photo
The football game will kick off at approximately 10:35 AEST Melbourne time, and air live in primetime in the US and Canada at approximately 5:35 PM PST on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
More than 151,000 people have registered their interest in the game, with that number jumping by more than 50,000 since the 49ers were announced as the Rams’ opponent.
In other NFL news, it appears as if the 2029 Super Bowl (Super Bowl LXIII) will be played in Las Vegas. Published reports say the deal will be announced next week.
Vegas also hosted the Super Bowl in 2024.
A FINE STORY ABOUT DUNEDIN, FLORIDA
It was great to see my friend and former Toronto Star colleague Rosie DiManno writing about Dunedin, Florida the other day. Rosie was in town for a week or so to write about the Blue Jays and spring training, but she took the time (as she always does) to delve into other matters while she was there. This time, she provided a nice look at the history of Dunedin as a gay-friendly city, which it’s been for years.
Main Street in Dunedin, Florida. JIM BYERS PHOTO
I first started going to spring training in 1993, and soon discovered a bar on Main Street that catered to the LGBTQ+ crowd. I hadn’t stepped foot inside until a few years ago, when I went in for a drink on Drag Queen Bingo night and had a laugh and a beer. I also stayed across the street at the Meranova Inn, a small, attractive BnB that’s run by a pair of great guys.
Dunedin is a great, walkable town with terrific food and shopping. I love that it’s also so warm and welcoming. A lot of Canadians aren’t visiting Florida these days, and I understand if you want to skip it for now. If you do visit, please know that you’ll be greeted like an old friend in Dunedin.
CRUISE NEWS AND VIEWS
ROUND THE WORLD WITH REGENT SEVEN SEAS
I don’t know about you, but I’m super intrigued by the idea of one of these super-long, multiple continent cruises that have been growing in popularity. I honestly don’t know how I would handle six months at sea, but with regular port visits and a suitably large on-board room I think I’d enjoy it. I read this week about how Regent Seven Seas is now offering a seven-continent cruise that will last for 150 days. The cruise will stop in 70 ports with 13 overnight stays in destinations such as Bali, Lima (Callao), Singapore, and Sydney. The Robb Report says at least 10 major cruise lines offer months-long itineraries that circle the globe, “and the routes continue to get longer, more luxurious, and, yes, more expensive.” Fares for the 150-night voyage start from $99,999 USD per guest for a Deluxe Veranda Suite, up to $344,999 per guest for a Signature Suite. On the other hand, maybe I’ll skip it.
The Sultan Mosque in bustling Singapore. Jim Byers Photo
SEABOURN OPENS BOOKINGS FOR 2027-2029
Luxury and expedition cruise line Seabourn has opened its 2027-2029 itineraries for booking, offering journeys across four continents and cruises ranging from 7 to 40 days. TravelPulse reports the new itineraries align with the brand’s 40th anniversary year in 2028, which it’s calling its “Ruby Jubilee,” which every guest onboard that year will be able to celebrate with special onboard experiences, along with new Ruby Collection Voyages. Ruby Collection Voyages is a group of 40 ocean voyages specially curated to honor the cruise line’s heritage. These range from Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings to the 2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise, as well as new itineraries in Southeast Asia.
SEA CLOUD TALL SHIP LINEUP PUBLISHED
Sea Cloud Cruises has released its 2027 brochure featuring an expanded lineup of tall-ship voyages including new itineraries to Ireland and the British Isles. The new 2027 through March 2028 season includes itineraries in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, a well as Northern Europe, including select voyages that begin in Dublin and explore Ireland, Scotland, and the Channel Islands. Additional routes explore the French Atlantic, the islands of Sardinia, Corsica and Elba as well as a course from Malta along the Amalfi Coast to the Côte d’Azur. Spring 2028 itineraries from Barbados to Antigua round out the season.
The lovely town of Doolin, Ireland. Jim Byers Photo
BOURBON AGING AT SEA WITH HOLLAND AMERICA
I know we Canadians are supposed to be boycotting bourbon, but my dislike of Donald Trump only goes so far. If I can find bourbon these days, I’ll buy it! To celebrate International Whiskey Day today, Holland America Line and Jefferson’s Bourbon are announcing a partnership for a first-of-its-kind collaboration in which Jefferson’s Ocean Bourbon is aged at sea across the cruise line’s fleet. Beginning this month, Jefferson’s began loading one barrel aboard each Holland America Line ship. By the end of April 2026, all 11 ships will carry their own exclusive barrel. Each barrel will sail for a minimum of six months and experience shifting climates, rolling waves, ocean air and the constant motion of the ship. These natural elements will shape the bourbon’s flavor, depth, character and finish, reinforcing the idea that every bottle has a story influenced by its journey.
