Hawai'i Governor David Ige

"Air Quality is Safe in the Hawaiian Islands" - Hawai'i Governor David Ige and State's Top Health Official.

HONOLULU, May 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Knowing travelers are expressing concerns about emissions from Kīlauea volcano, Hawai'i Governor David Ige and State Department of Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler emphasized today that the air quality of the Hawaiian Islands is safe and should not dissuade them from booking vacations. Dr. Pressler commented, "The air quality for the vast majority of the Hawaiian Islands is clean and healthy. The emissions from Kīlauea volcano are a non-factor for O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i, Lāna'i and Kaua'i. The weather is beautiful and warm with cooling trade winds everywhere in Hawai'i and is exactly what travelers expect when coming here for a relaxing and fun vacation experience. This includes Hilo, Pāhoa and the Kona and Kohala coasts on the island of Hawai'i.

"The areas where precautions are required for people are in lower Puna where lava is flowing and downwind from there on the island of Hawai'i, particularly if they have respiratory problems. Because of heavy emissions of vog, as well as occasional bursts of ash plumes from the Kīlauea summit, the southeast portions of the island are also routinely experiencing concerning conditions. Those visiting areas south of Hilo should stay alert for air quality updates, especially when wind conditions change. Fortunately, when trade winds are blowing, the vog and ash routinely move in a southwesterly direction and out to sea away from the Hawaiian Islands."

Governor Ige stated, "Hawai'i's air quality is being closely monitored on a continuing basis by scientists, meteorologists and the Hawai'i State Department of Health. This team of experts says the air quality in the Hawaiian Islands is safe for residents and visitors, except in the affected areas.

"Two other topics that I want to alleviate people's concerns about are laze and the Puna Geothermal Venture plant. Laze is a natural reaction that occurs whenever lava flows into the ocean as it is doing now and has from time to time over the past 35 years. This is all part of nature's way of creating new land for life to grow. Laze is limited to the area where the lava meets the ocean and is not a danger to people who keep a safe distance away.

"At the Puna Geothermal Venture plant, the state is actively directing protective actions to reduce the risk from lava flows moving nearby. The underground wells have been sealed and secured minimizing the threat to the safety of people and communities.

"The bottom line is that there is no reason for travelers to avoid making their vacation plans in the Hawaiian Islands due to safety concerns because of Kīlauea volcano.

"Visitors will be welcomed with open arms and treated to the hospitality, aloha, warmth and natural beauty that is found everywhere in Hawai'i. The only area to avoid is lower Puna where the eruption is ongoing."

George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, echoed the governor's sentiment in welcoming visitors to Hawai'i. "We understand the concern some travelers may have about coming to Hawai'i while Kīlauea volcano is so much more active at this time. But we encourage everyone to do their research and rely on trusted federal, state and county resources that are providing truthful, accurate information about what is taking place in Hawai'i. Those who do will find that coming to Hawai'i is a smart decision to enjoy a wonderful summer vacation."

Kīlauea has been an active volcano since 1983 and is one of Hawai'i's most popular attractions. Over the years residents and visitors have been drawn to the wonder of seeing nature at work in the creation of new land via tours or visits to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Most of the park is currently closed until further notice.

For the latest update on air quality in the Hawaiian Islands, please reference the State of Hawai'i Interagency Vog Information Dashboard: http://www.ivhhn.org/vog/

For the latest tourism updates please visit the Special Alerts page of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority: http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/special-alert/

Travelers planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands who have questions can contact the Hawai'i Tourism United States Call Center at 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924).

Bally’s Las Vegas : Ceasars Entertainment

BALLY’S LAS VEGAS COMPLETES $125 MILLION RENOVATION OF 2,052 ROOMS IN NEW RESORT TOWER

Every Guest Room Renovated Within the Last Four Years, Donated $1 Million in Furniture to Charities and Hurricane Harvey Relief

Las Vegas, May 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Located in the center of the action on the Strip, Bally’s Las Vegas has completed a $125 million redesign of 2,052 guest rooms and suites in the new Resort Tower. Nearly every guest room at Bally’s Las Vegas has been renovated within the last four years.

The latest redesign features neutral, dark wood tones and striking pops of red throughout decorative accents and fashionable wall coverings, with various geometric patterns that create a contemporary feel. Additional highlights of the new rooms include USB charging stations, chic lounge furniture and reimagined bathrooms with spacious glass-enclosed showers.

“Conveniently located at the center of the Las Vegas Strip, Bally’s welcomes a wide variety of guests from business to leisure travelers,” says David Hoenemeyer, regional president of Bally’s Las Vegas. “We are committed to providing the best experience for our guests, and design-savvy rooms are a key component of elevating their stay.”

In 2018, Caesars Entertainment plans to renovate approximately 3,735 rooms in Las Vegas as part of its strategic Las Vegas room renovation plan, resulting in more than 15,500 renovated rooms (67 percent) since 2014. The company’s total Las Vegas room inventory is approximately 23,150. The recent Bally’s Las Vegas renovation followed the completion of the Jubilee Tower rooms and suites in early 2014.

As part of Caesars Entertainment’s Code Green initiative, which aims to reduce landfill waste by 50 percent by 2020, the company donated a majority of the furniture from the renovation to charitable organizations. Caesars Entertainment donated more than 2,000 rooms of furniture from Bally’s Las Vegas – more than $1.1 million in estimated value – to Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas, hurricane relief efforts in Houston, Texas, and other non-profit agencies.

Bally’s Las Vegas rooms are oversized in comparison to most hotel rooms on the Las Vegas Strip, with standard rooms measuring approximately 450 square feet and suites spanning more than 3,000 square feet. Centrally-located Bally’s Las Vegas is steps away from various Las Vegas landmarks and attractions and is a stop on the Las Vegas Monorail line.

Design highlights of the renovated guest rooms and suites include the following:

Resort Room: Measuring more than 440 square feet, the new Resort Room offers one king or two queen pillowtop beds, chocolate brown lounge furniture and a 55-inch flat-screen TV. Additional amenities include an upgraded bathroom with a backlit mirror and rain shower.

Resort Studio Suite: The new 590-square-foot Resort Studio Suite features one king or two queen pillowtop beds, a wet bar and an additional sitting area. Guests can also enjoy a 55-inch flat-screen TV and an upgraded bathroom.

Resort Executive Suite: Measuring 650 square feet, the new Resort Executive suite includes one king pillowtop bed, a comfortable living area and a 65-inch flat-screen TV. Guests can relax in this suite’s unique soaking tub located in the middle of the room, just a few steps away from the bed. The redesigned bathroom also features a free-standing shower and two vanities with sinks.

Resort Premium Suite: The new one-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot Resort Premium Suite features one king pillowtop bed, a unique soaking tub in the room, an upgraded bathroom and a 65-inch flat-screen TV. Perfect for entertaining, the separate living room offers a second 65-inch flat-screen TV, ample lounge seating, a six-seat dining table and a large wet bar with seating around an additional 55-inch flat-screen TV.

Resort Presidential Suite: The focal points of the new two-story Resort Presidential Suite are the towering staircase leading to a balcony and secluded bedroom and the floor-to-ceiling windows. The 890-square-foot, one-bedroom suite includes a wet bar, a dining area and a living room on the first floor, along with the option to upgrade to up to four bedrooms.

The new Resort Tower suites are part of the Caesars Suites program, where guests can conveniently book more than 2,000 suites and villas within Caesars Entertainment’s Las Vegas portfolio on one comprehensive website, caesarssuites.com.