August visitor arrivals, spending fall short of pre-pandemic times

A traveler waits for a ride as National Guardsmen walk to their vehicle Thursday afternoon at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole. (Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)

Travelers load luggage into vehicles Thursday afternoon at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole. (Chelsea Jensen/West Hawaii Today)

Visitor arrivals and spending in August remained below pre-pandemic times with the outlook for September appearing bleak as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Hawaii’s tourism industry.