Hawaii tourism industry keeps Pearl Harbor centre open

HONOLULU – Hawaii tour companies, hotels and airlines are pitching in more than $50,000 to keep the USS Arizona Memorial visitors’ centre open during the federal government shutdown.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the money will keep the National Park Service facility staffed, its bathrooms open and its programs running for at least another week.

Pacific Historic Parks CEO Aileen Utterdyke called the gesture “excellent.”

She runs a non-profit organization that supports the operations of the memorial and the Park Service.

Earlier during the shutdown, Pearl Harbor nonprofits and Hawaii’s state tourism agency provided funds to keep the visitors centre open.

Tourism industry officials worry travellers will cancel their Hawaii vacations if the Pearl Harbor visitors’ centre closes.

Utterdyke says that would affect airlines and hotels and have a trickle-down effect.