Hawaii airports, ports likely to remain open

State and federal officials hope to keep Hawaii’s airports and ports open this weekend as Tropical Storm Ana passes through the island chain.

Carolyn Sluyter, state transportation spokeswoman, said there are no plans to close any of Hawaii’s airports, unless there is damage or debris on the runways.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority says Island Air will be suspending Maui and Lanai flights starting Saturday afternoon. The airline will suspend all flights on Sunday.

Tourism officials say they’ve been informed some airlines are waiving change fees. Visitors in Hawaii or traveling to the islands in the coming days are advised to confirm their reservations.

The Coast Guard, which controls all of Hawaii’s major ports and harbors, plans to keep them open. 

Earlier Coast Guard officials had planned to close the harbors at Hilo and Kahului, but that order was rescinded when forecasters predicted that the storm would taken a more southernly path.