#Property Management System for Hotels

[trayoungvis]

6 ways to improve front desk operations in a hotel

Implement a User-Friendly Property Management System (PMS)

Investing in a robust, user-friendly PMS can streamline many front desk functions, allowing for quicker guest check-ins and check-outs, and simplifying task management for staff. The right PMS can also automate functions like billing, housekeeping updates, and guest profile management, ensuring that information is centralized and accessible. With integrated technology, front desk staff can access real-time data and focus more on engaging with guests rather than juggling paperwork.

Example: Hotels can use cloud-based PMS solutions that integrate with mobile devices, enabling staff to manage bookings, room assignments, and other guest requests on-the-go. This type of flexibility can enhance the guest experience and make the front desk operation more agile.

Enhance Staff Training and Development

A knowledgeable and friendly front desk team is essential for smooth operations and creating positive guest experiences. Training programs should include customer service techniques, conflict resolution, cultural sensitivity, and technology skills to ensure that staff can handle a wide range of scenarios. By investing in ongoing training and development, hotels can empower front desk agents to respond confidently and professionally to any guest need.

Example: Implementing customer service role-playing sessions or workshops on handling difficult situations helps front desk staff feel more prepared and confident in high-pressure situations. This leads to quicker resolution of guest issues and enhances the overall service quality.

Leverage Mobile Check-In and Check-Out Options

Offering mobile check-in and check-out options can greatly improve convenience for guests, especially those who value minimal contact or are on tight schedules. With these digital options, guests can skip the line, access their room with digital keys, and receive important information directly on their mobile devices. This not only speeds up the process but also reduces wait times at the front desk, allowing staff to focus on more personalized interactions with guests.

Example: Hotels that allow guests to check in through an app or kiosk help reduce lobby congestion during peak hours, providing a smoother arrival experience. Mobile check-out also enables guests to settle their bills quickly and leave feedback immediately, fostering a positive and seamless end to their stay.

Create a Well-Organized and Efficient Workspace

Organization is key to smooth front desk operations. A clutter-free, well-designed workspace helps front desk staff access essential tools and information quickly, allowing them to serve guests efficiently. Organized storage, a clear filing system, and ergonomic workstation setups can reduce unnecessary steps and help staff focus on guest engagement rather than searching for items.

Example: Organizing desk drawers with labeled sections for different forms, supplies, and guest essentials can speed up routine tasks. Hotels could also use digital filing systems to eliminate paperwork, making it easier to retrieve guest data and reducing physical clutter.

Use Data Analytics for Forecasting and Staff Allocation

Data analytics can play a significant role in optimizing front desk operations. By analyzing guest flow patterns, seasonal demand, and peak hours, hotels can better predict staffing needs and ensure that they have adequate coverage. This approach prevents both overstaffing and understaffing, ensuring that guests receive timely service without additional operational costs.

Example: With data insights, front desk managers can allocate more staff during weekends, holidays, or major events when guest traffic is higher. During low-occupancy periods, they can redistribute front desk staff to other areas of the hotel, optimizing labor costs and efficiency.

Encourage Personalized Service and Attention to Detail

Personalized service can leave a lasting impression on guests and set a hotel apart from its competitors. Simple gestures, like addressing guests by name, remembering their preferences, or accommodating special requests, can enhance guest satisfaction. Front desk teams can leverage guest data from CRM systems to tailor their service approach, creating an experience that feels unique and memorable.

Example: If a guest is a returning visitor who previously requested extra pillows or specific room amenities, front desk staff can proactively arrange these before their arrival. Such attention to detail shows the guest that their preferences are valued and remembered.

Conclusion An efficient front desk operation is essential for a hotel’s success and guest satisfaction. By adopting advanced technology, continuously training staff, organizing the workspace, using data analytics for decision-making, and personalizing guest interactions, hotels can significantly enhance their front desk operations. These improvements lead to smoother guest experiences, higher retention rates, and a stronger brand reputation.

Additional Tips for Optimizing Front Desk Operations

Offer Multi-language Support: Having multilingual staff or digital translation tools can enhance communication with international guests.

Automate Routine Tasks: Automated notifications for housekeeping, maintenance, or guest requests can streamline coordination among departments.

Implement Guest Feedback Systems: Encourage guests to provide feedback during check-out, which can help the hotel address issues immediately and improve service.

[bookingjini]

Hotel Management Software in India | Bookingjini

Bookingjini is a leading hotel management software provider in India, offering comprehensive solutions to streamline operations, boost revenue, and elevate guest satisfaction for hotels nationwide. Elevate your hospitality business with Bookingjini.

For More Visit - https://bookingjini.com/

For Latest updates Visit - https://blog.bookingjini.com/

[bookingmaster2016]

[futurevision23454]

Best Hotel Management Software

What is Hotel Management Software?

Hotel management software is a tool designed specifically for hotels and similar establishments to efficiently manage reservations, room assignments, check-ins, check-outs, and many other daily operations. By consolidating all hotel operations into one unified system, it helps hotel staff stay organized and provides seamless interaction with guests. The software generally includes features like a front desk module, reservation system, payment processing, room service, and analytics, making it an essential component for any hotel.

Why You Need Hotel Management Software?

The days of maintaining a hotel’s operations through paper records and manual methods are long gone. As hotels grow and guest expectations increase, it becomes nearly impossible to keep track of everything manually. Here are some reasons why the best hotel management software is crucial:

Centralized Operations Hotel management software :- brings all your operations into a single platform. From booking rooms to managing guest requests, everything is stored and managed electronically. This centralization reduces errors, miscommunication, and helps staff be more efficient.

Increase Efficiency :- Hotel management software automates many tedious tasks such as confirming bookings, updating room availability, or processing payments. This not only reduces workload but also frees up staff to focus on more important tasks like guest interactions and enhancing the guest experience.

Streamline Reservations :-Booking rooms manually can often lead to overbooking or booking errors. With hotel management software, you can have real-time visibility into your reservations and room availability. This minimizes the risk of errors and makes it easier to manage bookings and cancellations.

Enhance Guest Experience :- A seamless guest experience is the cornerstone of any successful hotel. With hotel management software, check-ins and check-outs are faster, room service requests can be handled more promptly, and guests are offered personalized services. This leads to happier guests and positive reviews, encouraging repeat business.

Features to Look for in the Best Hotel Management Software

When selecting hotel management software, it’s essential to choose the one that meets your specific needs. Here are some important features to consider:

Reservation Management Look for software that offers real-time booking updates, automated confirmations, and the ability to easily modify bookings and cancellations.

Front Desk Management Check if the software includes tools for managing check-ins, check-outs, guest information, billing, and room assignments. A good front desk module is an essential part of managing operations smoothly.

Reporting and Analytics The best hotel management software comes with robust reporting and analytics tools to track revenue, occupancy rates, guest satisfaction, and more. These insights are critical to making informed business decisions.

Mobile Accessibility In today’s mobile-first world, you’ll want hotel management software that can be accessed through smartphones and tablets. This allows your staff to work on the go and manage operations from anywhere.

Payment Processing Look for software that supports a variety of payment options, from credit card processing to mobile wallets. Simplified payment methods help enhance the guest experience while improving cash flow management for your business.

Top Benefits of Hotel Management Software

Faster Check-In/Check-Out Simplify guest check-ins and check-outs through efficient processes, ensuring that guests can start or end their stays without hassle.

Inventory Control Monitor room availability, supplies, and amenities in real time, ensuring that you never run out of stock or accidentally overbook rooms.

Staff Management Hotel management software helps schedule, assign tasks, and manage your staff better. You’ll know exactly which team members are responsible for certain duties and can track performance.

Improved Communication With communication tools integrated within hotel management software, you can easily interact with team members, guests, and vendors, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Conclusion

Choosing the best hotel management software is a game-changer for hoteliers. With the right software in place, hotel owners and staff can streamline their day-to-day operations, improve guest satisfaction, and boost efficiency. From booking and check-ins to payment processing and staff management, hotel management software is designed to simplify every aspect of hotel management. It helps hotel managers stay on top of their business and enables them to provide a superior experience for every guest who walks through their doors.

If you’re still relying on traditional methods for managing your hotel, it might be time to invest in the best hotel management software. It’s an investment that promises long-term growth, operational excellence, and a more seamless guest experience.

[phonesuitedirect]

Property Experience Management Systems (PEMS) streamline operations, personalize guest experiences, and ultimately cultivate exceptional stays. In this article, we will explore the impact and benefits of PEMS in transforming the hospitality landscape. Read More...

[posease-software]

How to Find the Best PMS Hotel Management Software for Your Property?

This blog serves as a comprehensive guide for hotel owners navigating the process of choosing the right Property Management System (PMS) for their property. It tackles essential questions that hoteliers might have, including what a PMS is and the various benefits it offers. The blog dives into different PMS pricing models, empowering hoteliers to make informed financial decisions. Additionally, it explores key features to consider when selecting a PMS, ensuring that the chosen system aligns with the hotel's specific needs. Finally, the blog outlines a step-by-step approach to guide hoteliers through the PMS selection process, making it easier to find the perfect fit for their property. Read More 👇

[exploretechio]

Are you looking for a hotel property management system? You are at right place as ExploreTECH offers innovative and technology and hospitality solutions. Elevate guest experience with these comprehensive hospitality management systems.

[bookingjini]

Booking Engine for Hotels | Bookingjini

Bookingjini offers a cutting-edge hotel booking engine that empowers hotels to streamline reservations, maximize occupancy, and enhance guest experiences. Simplify bookings with Bookingjini's innovative technology.

For More Visit - https://bookingjini.com/

For Latest updates Visit - https://blog.bookingjini.com/

[bookingmaster2016]

How a Property Management System Transforms Hotel Operations

Introduction

Managing a hotel is complex. From handling reservations to managing housekeeping, every process needs efficiency. A Hotel Property Management System (PMS) simplifies operations and enhances guest experiences. In India, many hotels are upgrading to Hotel Software India to streamline their processes and increase profitability.

A PMS automates tasks, reduces errors, and improves customer satisfaction. This article explores how a PMS transforms hotel operations.

1. Automating Reservations and Front Desk Operations

A PMS centralizes bookings from multiple sources—website, OTAs, and direct calls. This automation eliminates manual errors and prevents double bookings.

Seamless Check-ins and Check-outs: Guests can check in using digital kiosks or mobile apps.

Real-time Availability Updates: The system updates room status instantly, ensuring accurate inventory.

Automated Payment Processing: Guests can pay securely, reducing front desk workload.

2. Enhancing Guest Experience with Personalization

A PMS stores guest data, helping hotels offer personalized services.

Guest Preferences Tracking: Favorite room type, dining choices, and special requests are saved.

Loyalty Programs & Offers: Hotels can offer tailored promotions and discounts.

Automated Communication: Pre-arrival emails, in-stay messages, and post-stay feedback requests improve engagement.

3. Optimizing Housekeeping and Maintenance

Keeping rooms clean and well-maintained is crucial for guest satisfaction. A PMS streamlines these tasks:

Task Assignments & Tracking: Housekeeping staff gets automatic room cleaning assignments.

Real-time Room Status Updates: The front desk knows when rooms are ready for new guests.

Maintenance Alerts: Staff receives automated notifications about repair needs.

4. Boosting Revenue with Smart Pricing and Reporting

A PMS provides data-driven insights to help hotels maximize revenue.

Dynamic Pricing: Adjusts room rates based on demand, seasonality, and competitor pricing.

Revenue & Occupancy Reports: Helps managers track financial performance.

Integration with Online Booking Platforms: Expands reach and maximizes direct bookings.

5. Seamless Departmental Coordination and Integration

A PMS acts as a central hub for all hotel operations, ensuring smooth communication between departments.

Integration with POS Systems: Tracks restaurant, spa, and bar expenses.

Centralized Guest Profiles: Ensures consistent service across all hotel facilities.

Multi-property Management: Ideal for hotel chains managing multiple locations from one system.

Conclusion

A Hotel Property Management System is essential for modern hotels. It streamlines operations, enhances guest experiences, and increases revenue. Booking Master, a leading hotel management software provider, offers advanced PMS solutions for hotels in India and worldwide.

By adopting a PMS, hotels can stay competitive, improve efficiency, and provide an unforgettable experience for guests.

[homewoodsuites02]

Explore Shelby Farms Park and Sail Along the Mississippi River This Summer

Hilton Hotel - As the sun shines brightly and the days grow longer, summer beckons us to venture outdoors and indulge in nature's wonders. If you're seeking a perfect blend of scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, and a touch of history, look no further than Shelby Farms Park and the Mississippi River. In this blog, we'll take you on a delightful summer journey, exploring the magnificent Shelby Farms Park and embarking on a riverboat cruise along the iconic Mississippi River. 

Shelby Farms Park: Nature's Playground 

As the summer season arrives, Shelby Farms becomes a vibrant oasis, offering a plethora of exciting activities and opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor, this guide will inspire you to make the most of your summer days in Shelby Farms. Stay near Shelby Farms Park at Homewood Suites hotel for convenient access to all the fun. To know more about Homewood Suites visit Hilton Hotel's website.

From exploring nature trails to cooling off in the lakes, and from enjoying picnics to engaging in recreational sports, get ready to embrace the beauty and serenity of this remarkable park. Let's delve into a world of summer adventures and discover how to create lasting memories in Shelby Farms!

What To Do in Shelby Farms Park?

Immersed in greenery: Discover the sprawling 4,500-acre oasis that is Shelby Farms Park, where vibrant forests, open meadows, and shimmering lakes await your exploration. 

Trails for all: Lace up your hiking boots or rent a bike to traverse the park's extensive network of trails, catering to all skill levels. From leisurely strolls to exhilarating adventures, there's something for everyone. 

Wildlife encounters: Encounter a variety of wildlife, from majestic deer to colorful birds, as you wander through the park's serene habitats. 

Water activities: Cool off by indulging in water activities such as paddleboarding, kayaking, or fishing in one of the park's tranquil lakes. 

The Magnificent Mississippi River: 

Mississippi River, a legendary waterway that flows through multiple states, shaping the landscape and culture along its path. As the summer season arrives, the Mississippi River becomes an even more alluring destination, offering a multitude of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, and nature lovers alike. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor, this guide will help you unlock the secrets of the Magnificent Mississippi River and make the most of your summer adventures.  

From scenic river cruises to thrilling water sports, and from exploring charming riverfront towns to witnessing breathtaking sunsets, prepare to immerse yourself in the beauty and grandeur of this iconic river. Let's embark on a journey along the Magnificent Mississippi and discover the wonders it holds in store for us this summer! 

The lifeline of the South: Discover the historical and cultural significance of the mighty Mississippi River, which has shaped the region for centuries. 

Riverboat cruise experience: Step aboard an elegant riverboat and embark on a leisurely cruise along the Mississippi. Relax on the deck, enjoy the gentle breeze, and take in breathtaking views of the river's majestic expanse. 

Captivating river views: Marvel at the panoramic vistas of lush green riverbanks, charming waterfront towns, and iconic landmarks as you glide along the river's current. 

Historical commentary: Learn about the river's rich history, from its role in transportation and trade to its cultural importance in shaping music and literature. 

The Perfect Summer Combination

A day at Shelby Farms Park: Start your day at Shelby Farms Park, engaging in outdoor activities, picnicking under shade trees, or simply unwinding in the midst of nature's serenity. 

Preparing for the riverboat cruise: After a fulfilling day at the park, make your way to the riverboat dock, where you'll board your vessel and embark on an enchanting river journey. 

Sunset cruise magic: Opt for a sunset cruise to witness the river bathed in golden hues as the day comes to a close. The tranquil ambiance and stunning views make for an unforgettable experience. 

Dining and entertainment: Many riverboat cruises offer onboard dining options and live entertainment, allowing you to savor delicious cuisine while enjoying music or even dancing the night away. 

Final Words 

Summer is a time of exploration and adventure, and Shelby Farms Park combined with a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi River offers the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories. From the serene beauty of the park to the captivating allure of the river, this summer delight promises an unforgettable experience. So, pack your bags, embrace the warmth of the season, and embark on an incredible journey through nature's playground and the timeless waterways of the Mississippi River.

[xcrino1]

India's Leading Hotel Management Software System | Streamline Operations and Boost Profits

Experience seamless hotel management with our state-of-the-art software system in India. From front desk to back office, we've got you covered. Contact us today

[vague-humanoid]

An 18-year-old hacker who leaked clips of a forthcoming Grand Theft Auto (GTA) game has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order.

Arion Kurtaj from Oxford, who has autism, was a key member of international gang Lapsus$.

The gang's attacks on tech giants including Uber, Nvidia and Rockstar Games cost the firms nearly $10m.

The judge said Kurtaj's skills and desire to commit cyber crime meant he remained a high risk to the public.

He will remain at a secure hospital for life unless doctors deem him no longer a danger.

The court heard that Kurtaj had been violent while in custody with dozens of reports of injury or property damage.

Doctors deemed Kurtaj unfit to stand trial due to his acute autism so the jury was asked to determine whether or not he committed the alleged acts - not if he did so with criminal intent.

A mental health assessment used as part of the sentencing hearing said he "continued to express the intent to return to cybercrime as soon as possible. He is highly motivated."

The jury was told that while he was on bail for hacking Nvidia and BT/EE and in police protection at a Travelodge hotel, he continued hacking and carried out his most infamous hack.

Despite having his laptop confiscated, Kurtaj managed to breach Rockstar, the company behind GTA, using an Amazon Firestick, his hotel TV and a mobile phone.

Kurtaj stole 90 clips of the unreleased and hugely anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6.

He broke into the company's internal Slack messaging system to declare "if Rockstar does not contact me on Telegram within 24 hours I will start releasing the source code".

He then posted the clips and source code on a forum under the username TeaPotUberHacker.

He was re-arrested and detained until his trial.

[maxwellatoms]

Hello Mr. Atoms, I'm an animation student in college and fan of your work. I got this assignment in which I need to ask questions to a professional in the area. Could you pretty please answer them? It'd mean a lot to me.

1- Are you happy with your career? How it's going.

2- What are your opinions, expectations and hopes about the independent animation industry that's developing?

3- What do you think about the advent of artificial intelligence? Do you fear for the future of animators?

4- If money wasn't a problem, would you still do what you do?

5- Any animators you admire and would like to mention?

Okey dokey.

1- Are you happy with your career? How it's going.

Not really, in that there seems to be no career left.

The animation industry swelled its numbers greatly before 2020. Almost immediately after that, corporate greed synergized with a pandemic to reduce animated programs and the number of people working on them to almost zero. It takes almost a year from beginning to end to make a single episode of an animated show (by the modern standard). There was nothing being made in 2020 and four years later, we''re not in a much better spot. It's going to be a long drought for (especially) Kid's TV Animation.

Recently, many of my former co-workers have hit the financial wall and can't continue, moving away after (sometimes) 20 years in the industry. I begin to wonder if I'm very far behind.

A "bounce back" a year from now would need to start today. There are still some animated shows being made now, but those are almost universally "library" properties. That means it's an existing I.P. (Intellectual Properties like Garfield/Mario/Batman/Star Wars) so as an artist you're immediately in that box. Depending on the property and the studio, it can be an unpleasantly tight box. I grew used to holding and maintaining the vision for a show, but it's less fun when it's not my vision. It's even less fun when you can't inspire someone to follow your vision because they've been so ruthlessly abused.

I'm pretty sick of how big media corporations treat their employees. If I inherit one more burnt out crew due to mismanagement, I'm gonna lose it.

Over a decade ago I fought hard to get board artists story credit for the episodes they were actually writing, and felt like I'd won a big victory for everyone. The second my back was turned, it all reverted.

Mostly... what is the point now? My career is/was developing ideas, crafting those ideas into a workable show, then managing teams of thirty to seventy people to produce a couple of dozen episodes per year. Studios actively do not want new ideas right now, and are actively searching for ways to eliminate what artists from the process. I'm not sure what my job would be under this new system, but it feels like they decided to hang onto the anxiety-inducing deadlines while removing anything remotely pleasurable from the experience.

2- What are your opinions, expectations and hopes about the independent animation industry that's developing?

It's the only way to get anything done, currently.

The current state of the industry is not sustainable. I (along with a lot of other animators I know) are trying to decide what's next, and pretty much everyone agrees that "you just have to make something".

It is (in that very specific way) a great time to be a young animator. The system was never going to treat you well anyway. If you can get something like a Hazbin Hotel happening without studio help, you can currently write your own ticket. I'm super proud of Vivsie, because that's a LOT of stuff to handle. I never had to handle my own marketing or drum up money to make Billy & Mandy happen.

There are opportunities there, but it's definitely "Hard Mode". The best idea is probably to team up with a few other people you like and like to work with.

Hopes? I hope that the young animators take over and make something new on top of the bones of the old industry, rather than just allowing that industry to patch its rotting hide with their collected works.

3- What do you think about the advent of artificial intelligence? Do you fear for the future of animators?

I suspect true AI might just peace-out like ScarJo in "Her", but we're not there yet. What we have now isn't Artificial Intelligence at all (though I do believe it may be the underpinnings of the Artificial Suconscious of what may one day become an actual Artificial Intelligence.)

The LLMs and "Generative AI" are (so far) a big dumb waste. They consume tons of energy and aren't great for doing anything creative. If you've sat down with Chat GPT for a creative writing session, you've probably run into the "out of the box" limitations which prevent it from talking about sex or violence-- which happen to be a major component of most stories.

Still, the technology has come incredibly far in an incredibly short amount of time. I imagine we're going to hit the point where we're being hazed by artificially generated political ads way before Generative AI can produce a consistent and usable character turnaround, so that'll be the test. Whatever the legal fallout is from this stuff over the next few years will set the tone.

Still, studios have a vested interest in pleasing their shareholders. Generative AI potentially has the capability of not only replacing swaths of money-eating artists, but handing that control directly to the billionaire studio heads. Mark my words: We're headed straight for billionaire-generated content.

I don't think the public at large will want to watch Elon Musk's fever dreams, so there's that. So law and general distaste might stave it off for a while, but I think there's just too much impetus for studios to continue to try to please their investors. "AI Art" is here to stay.

Eventually that will lead to millions and millions of bots generating millions and millions of songs and paintings and movies all day every day. Most of it will be utter trash. Right now (so I'm told) viewers are already burnt out, and will generally only click on what they already know. On Netflix, where there are twenty things you've never heard of and one you have, you're more likely to pick the thing that gives you comfort and gives you a guarantee you're not wasting your time. With exponentially more A.I. trash, how would you even begin to filter it out?

You'd need absolute control of an already existing distribution system. We currently have a few of those, and all of the media companies are desperately trying to merge with them to insure their own survival.

To me, the post-Gen-AI landscape looks a lot like old-school Cable, but with endless I.P. and fewer masters.

4- If money wasn't a problem, would you still do what you do?

The real question is, maybe, "What am I even doing?" These days I try to do a lot of gardening. I'm trying to learn new art skills, because suddenly twenty five years of experience managing, drawing, and writing isn't worth much. I recently worked on Jellystone until Zaslav lost 2.5 billion in the wash and had to find justification for his new yacht. The show before that? Also culled midway through to save money. The days of multi-year gigs seem to be over, and if I'm going to scrape by doing freelance, maybe I can do that somewhere else.

I'll always make art. I can't seem to help it. Ideas aren't my problem-- it's executing those ideas without the help of a structured pre-existing system. I honestly don't know if I'll ever be able to pull that off. My strengths are great, but were always supported by friends I worked with.

Can I start an indie cartoon with all of these cool friends? Sure, maybe. Most of those people have gone on to have other careers of their own and got used to being paid. Now nobody is getting paid and no one can pay anyone else. My immediate circle are all now middle-aged people with families and no jobs. Convincing them to give up a large chunk of their day for an idea that's not guaranteed to pay off is going to take some real effort.

I technically have fifteen years until I can claim my "retirement", assuming that still exists by then. That's a pretty big hole to fill with... I don't know what.

The difficult "What comes next" discussions at home are really just starting.

5- Any animators you admire and would like to mention?

There are a lot of cool animation people out there. I already mentioned I was proud of Vivsie. I was also reminded recently just how great C.H. Greenblatt and Mr. Warburton are. I know they're my friends. They're both just really upstanding, creative people who take good care of their crews.

The treatment of animation industry professionals by the studio system has been one of the most demoralizing and heartbreaking parts of this demoralizing and heartbreaking time.

---

So there ya go. If you want to look for someone whose attitude is a little more upbeat, I won't blame you a bit.

Wherever you are, I wish you the best of luck. For me, just climb up there and crush it. I would very much like to add you to #5 someday.

[lambentplume]

Maui Fires & How to Support Relief Efforts

(Posted on 8/10/23) Hi, I'm Jae and my family is from Lāhainā. I watched my hometown burn down this week. The fires caused immeasurable loss in my community so I'd like to spread awareness of the situation as well as provide links to support local organizations directly assisting survivors. I'm pretty sure most of my following is Not local so I'm writing with intent to inform people outside the situation, but if you're reading this and happen to have family in the affected area that isn't accounted for, message me and I can send you the links to the missing persons tracking docs + more localized info!! If you'd like to skip down to how to help and follow community organizations, scroll to the bottom of the post after the image.

Earlier this week, Hurricane Dora passed south of the Hawaiian Islands, bringing strong wind gusts that caused property damage across the islands. On Tuesday August 8, high winds caused sparks to fly in the middle of Lāhainā town, knocking out power lines and immediately igniting drought-ridden grasses. The fire spread quickly and destroyed the entire center of town, the harbor, and multiple neighborhoods including Hawaiian Homes (housing specifically for Native Hawaiians), parts of Lahainaluna, basically all of Front Street, and low-income housing units. There is only one public road in and out of town, and after a very hectic evacuation period that road has been mostly closed off except to emergency responders, thus it is extremely difficult for anyone to leave town to get help. The nearest hospital is 20 miles away in Wailuku, and most grocery stores in town have burnt down.

As of Thursday, August 10, over 1,000 acres have been burned and 271 structures (including homes, schools, and other community gathering places) have been destroyed. Cell service is still extremely spotty, many of the surrounding neighborhoods deemed safe for evacuees are still without utilities. There are currently confirmed 53 deaths but that number is expected to increase as search-and-rescue efforts continue. Countless families have been displaced and many have lost the homes they lived in for generations. Places of deep historical significance have been reduced to ash, including the gravesites of Hawaiian royalty, the old Lāhainā courthouse where items of cultural significance were stored, and Na ‘Aikane o Maui Cultural Center. To add further context: Lāhainā has a population of about 13,000 residents. EVERYONE I know has been impacted in some way--at best forced to evacuate, at worst their house was burnt to the foundation, they cannot find a loved one, etc. I'm still trying to track down family members and it's been over two days. My neighbors down the street had homes last week and now many don't have ANYTHING. The hotels are taking in residents (tourists are also being STRONGLY urged to leave so that locals can recover). Without open access to the rest of the island, Lāhainā residents are now dependent on whatever people had in their homes already as well as disaster relief efforts coming in, but it's been difficult to organize and mobilize due to the location + conditions. People who have made it out are in shelters where no blankets or medicine were provided. Friends and acquaintances from neighbor islands are preparing aid to send over. Community response has been incredible, but the toll on the town has been immeasurable. My parents were desperately walking through town yesterday, my mom sounded absolutely hollow talking about it on the phone with me. It's horrifying. Below is a satellite map with data from the NASA Fire Information for Resource Management System showing the impacted areas from the past week; all of the red blotches were on fire at some point in the last three days.

Here are ways you can help:

If you have the means to donate:

Here are three donation sites verified by Maui Rapid Response, which also lists FAQs for people who are wondering about next steps.

Hawaiʻi Community Foundation - Maui Strong Fund accepts international credit cards. Maui United Way

Maui Mutual Aid Non-monetary ways to support:

If you know anyone who is planning to travel to ANY Hawaiian island, not just Maui, tell them to cancel their trip. Resources are extremely limited as is. Advocate for climate change mitigation efforts locally, wherever that is for you. The fire was exacerbated by drought conditions that have worsened due to climate change.

Lastly, remember that these are people's HOMES that burned, and Native Hawaiian cultural artifacts that have been lost. Stop thinking of Hawaiʻi (or any "tourist destination" location, really) as an "escape" or a "paradise." If that's the only way you recognized my home... I'm glad I got your attention somehow, but I would ask that you challenge that perspective and prioritize local and native voices. For transparency, I don't currently live in Lāhainā, I've been following efforts from Honolulu. My parents and brother have been updating me and I've been following friends and family who are doing immediate response work. I'm doing my best to find reliable and current sources, but if I need to update something, please let me know. If you're going to try to convince me that tourism is necessary for our recovery, news flash ***IT'S NOT***!

Thanks for reading.