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Hawaii Floods: What Tourists Should Know About Kauai
April 18, 2018
•
3 min read
Hawaii Floods: What Tourists Should Know About Kauai
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The past few days have been a disaster for residents in Kauai after heavy rains caused flooding and landslides over the weekend. The weather has left many stranded and caused major damage to roads, bridges and homes across the island. The U.S. Army and National Guard reportedly airlifted more than 340 people from the Hā‘ena and Wainiha area since Monday.
Photos from Hanalei Kauai, where more than 27 inches of rain fell within 24-hour period, according to the National Weather Service officials, show feet of standing water and even flipped cars.
Kauai is a major tourist destination with a mix of luxe hotels and resorts. As of now, Lihue Airport (LIH), the island's main airport, is open. However, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction in the northernmost regions of Kauai, specifically the Hanalei and Wainiha area. Hawaiian Airlines is currently offering travel waivers to those who booked flights to/from (LIH) between April 14, 2018, and April 18, 2018.
The executive director for the Kauai Visitors Bureau, Sue Kanoho, said in a statement that the main focus is to assist those people and areas affected:
"Right now our focus is really helping that area, making sure residents are fine, visitors are fine." But as for those with planned trips to The Garden Island, "We’re trying to make sure everyone understands which side of the island is challenged," says Kanoho.
TPG reached out to Marriott, and they said that all five of their Marriott resorts — Marriott Kaua’i Beach Club, Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons, Kaua’i Marriott Resort, Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club, and Courtyard by Marriott Kaua'i at Coconut Beach—have sustained no damage and are operated as normal.
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“As the hotels continue to monitor the weather, they are taking appropriate precautions to ensure smooth operations as well as the safety and wellbeing of our guests and associates throughout the week and beyond,” a Marriott spokesperson said.
Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort is also open and safe from the flooding with all roadways leading from Lihue Airport (LIH) to the property maintained and clear.
Those who have trips planned with other hotels should contact their hotels directly.
For visitors and residents in the area, the Hawaii Department of Health advises that everyone stays out of and limit exposure to flood waters. The Department also reminds all residents and visitors a brown water advisory for Kauai and the shores of Eastern Oahu is in effect.
For information and weather-related updates for the island of Kauai, travelers can visit the Hawaii Tourism Authority website.
Featured image by AP
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.