Tovin Lapan- Tovin Lapan is a West Coast-based freelance journalist. He has covered Mexico, Las Vegas, California and other destinations for a variety of publications. His work has appeared in U.S. News & World Report, the Guardian US and Lucky Peach.: Travel Weekly

Tovin Lapan

Tovin Lapan has covered Hawaii, Mexico, Las Vegas, California and other destinations for a variety of publications. His work has appeared in U.S. News & World Report, the Guardian US and Lucky Peach.

More Articles by Tovin Lapan

The Waikiki skyline with Diamond Head in the background.

Hawaii's pre-travel testing program has a new start dateThe program, which enables visitors to skip a mandatory 14-day quarantine, was announced over the summer, but the plan was...

Monumental challenges await Hawaii's new tourism chief

Monumental challenges await Hawaii's new tourism chiefJohn De Fries will immediately be in the hot seat when he takes over the Hawaii Tourism Authority on Sept. 16, as the industry...

The Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach remained open during the refit, which included all of the hotel's 369 units.

Waikiki Embassy Suites completes $8M refitThe first renovation in seven years at the property at Waikiki Beach Walk focused on artwork and other Hawaiian elements that...

Digital Safe Travels form helps Hawaii's monitoring, contact tracing effortsTravelers can access the application up to 24 hours prior to their departure for the Islands and will be asked to share health...

The Hana-Maui Resort, formerly the Travaasa Hana, has been a vacation destination for more than 70 years.

Hyatt to manage Hana-Maui ResortThe former Travaasa Hana is slated to reopen on Oct. 1 and will undergo a two-year renovation of all guestrooms, arrival areas,...

Work on the Kaanapali Beach Hotels' Kauai and Lanai wings is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter.

Kaanapali Beach Hotel makes the most of the Covid shutdownInitial plans called for one wing of rooms to be renovated, but the refit was expanded to a second wing after the virus shut...

The Waimea Canyon on the island of Kauai.

Hopes are dwindling for a strong finish to 2020Constantly shifting regulations and dates for restarting tourism have dampened interest in the Aloha State for much of the...

Hawaii occupancy rate drops to 21% in JulyStatewide revenue per available room fell 86% during the month, while the average daily rate fell to $174.

Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye Airport is one of five airports in Hawaii that will use facial imaging to help identify potential Covid-19 cases.

Hawaii installing facial recognition technology to aid in virus detection at airportsThe technology is expected to be in place at five major airports by year's end and will be used in coordination with recently...

Diners at Morimoto Asia Waikiki. The Oahu stay-at-home order prohibits on-site dining, either indoors or al fresco.

Stay-at-home order is back in place on OahuThe measure, which went into effect Aug. 27, includes a ban on outdoor dining and is slated to be in place for two weeks.