It’s not just people who live on the East Coast who are being affected. Visitors who are trying to get back to other parts of the Mainland are also impacted.
Superstorm Sandy is forcing Lori Strocchia to extend her Hawaiian vacation.
"With all the mess that’s going on with the East Coast and in the middle of the country, the flights have all been doubled up and I can’t get on a flight to get out of here," Strocchia said.
She wants to get back to Denver. Since the retired flight attendant flew standby, she isn’t high on the priority list for travelers.
"That’s my goal, is to get to the West Coast and then I will deal with the next step once I get to the West Coast," she said.
Fortunately, she has been able to remain at this Outrigger property for an extra two days.
"It’s only been probably a couple hundred guests that are looking for an extra day or two and it really hasn’t been that difficult because we’ve had some cancellations on the way in," said Barry Wallace with Outrigger Enterprises Group.
Tourism officials say all of the hotel chains have accommodated the 1,300 visitors who have been stranded here by lengthening trips at a discounted rate.
"Obviously if we have one stranded visitor, that’s one too many," said George Szigeti with the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association.
The industry is also working with those on the East Coast who planned to come here.
"They couldn’t get out, their flights were canceled and they’re trying to rebook, the hotels are working closely with them as well as the airlines," Szigeti said.
Hawaiian and United Airlines canceled flights to the East Coast again today. If the weather improves, the carriers expect to resume flights tomorrow. Hawaiian also plans an additional flight to New York on Thursday. For many visitors in Hawaii, the flight cancellations simply mean, more time in paradise.
"It’s not bothering me at all. I think I’m the lucky one," Strocchia said.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
