Hawaiʻi Job Losses, Tourism Downturn Signal Mild Recession

[TomK]

What am I missing?

The clear and concise replies...

They might be concise, but they aren't clear. Explain to me why Indian citizens need a bond and why they are limited to arriving at only three airports if they want to visit the US, including the requirements they must meet if they only want to visit Hawaii? You do know it's possible to fly from India to Hawaii without visiting the US mainland, right?

[leilanidude]

If Indians are forced to travel to the US via travel agencies, I get it. If not, and I haven't used a travel agency in decades, what is the issue? This is where I don't get it. Is there a reason Indian people can't book their own travel and arrange their own visas? If I've missed the link to that particular rule, please let me know.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/....html/visa

"Entering the United States

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website.

What am I missing? Why does an Indian citizen wishing to visit the US for a vacation need to go through a travel agency?

Comprehension - you are missing comprehension! I believe everyone else understands this?

Indians are not forced to use a travel agency although it is very customary for them to do so. There are a number of India travel agencies which are on a US "naughty list" due to past abuses of the visas that they have submitted, which basically means too many of the folks they "assisted" had no intention of returning to the US. This is why THOSE travelers must have a bond and can only enter through one of the three airports.

Any Indian who uses an otherwise approved agency or fills out their own paperwork and gets approved for a visa, can enter through any US international airport.

[TomK]

leilalanude wrote:

"Any Indian who uses an otherwise approved agency or fills out their own paperwork and gets approved for a visa, can enter through any US international airport."

Yes, I know, that's what I keep saying.

[Durian Fiend]

Apparently not just a rumor.  They will offer non-stop service three days a week beginning next August:

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airl...las-vegas/

https://bigislandnow.com/2026/08/06/sout...th-island/

The flight is on. Who's going?   

Not me.  Hilo to Seattle would be of interest.

[punikahakaiferret]

I'm in!!!

Sick of having to fly out of ITO all the way to HNL to get to the mainland ("non-stop") without driving all the way to Kona to do it...

And no more multiple layovers...first once you get to HNL, and then another layover in PDX, or SEA, SFO, or LAX (the WORST!) if there aren't any reasonable direct-to-DIA flights from HNL...they are rare.

A quick hop from LAS to DIA is close enough to non-stop for me, and so now it'll be that much easier and quicker for me to see family.

I'm stoked!

[randomq]

Nice! And a much more fun layover!

[Durian Fiend]

This route would be quite convenient for visiting Zion national park. I had to look up DIA as that was an unknown airport code to me. (DEN)

[punikahakaiferret]

I had to look up DIA as that was an unknown airport code to me. (DEN)

Very true, I erred in identifying DEN, since I'm just used to referring to it by the "common" name for the area, lol. Guess I gave away my CO roots, shoots, branches and leaves!

Hilo being ITO always struck me as odd, but of course, reasons.

Nevertheless, I hope ultimately that Southwest starting up this service somehow entices United to come back and offer non-stops, or other cities start being offered. Frustrating the way it currently is (up until these Vegas flights started).