Staycations offered for Hawaii healthcare heroes

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Tourism officials are trying to turn empty hotel rooms into something positive.

The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association announced a new program that will provide two-night staycations for local doctors, nurses and clinical staff.

HLTA president Mufi Hannemann said the Hotels For Healthcare Heroes (HFHH) program is a way to show appreciation to the group of medical professionals who have been working day and night throughout the pandemic.

“Let’s show our aloha, let’s show our mahalo,” Hannemann said. “Let’s make sure that we can provide some needed rest and relaxation for our healthcare professionals to recharge their batteries to be able to decompress so that they are rested and they’ll be at their best when they’re working in the hospitals and clinics.”

According to HTLA, the HFHH program will begin on the weekend of Friday, Sept. 17, and will run every weekend through the end of October.

Hospital administrators will choose participants and will work with the HLTA and Healthcare Association of Hawaii to make reservations.