Smoky Mountains

Restless bats puzzle rangers

Officials in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park caution that there have been numerous reports of bats acting erratically and caution people to avoid contact with them.

Park biologists say bats should be hibernating now, but some have been seen flying in erratic ways during the day and diving toward people.

Bats can carry diseases, including rabies. Any skin-to-skin contact is dangerous. Heath officials say people who have touched bats should seek immediate medical advice.

Unusual bat activity inside the park should be reported to rangers. Erratic behavior elsewhere should be reported to state wildlife officials.

Lodging

Storied Maui hotel celebrates 50 years

The first official hotel to be built at Kaanapali is marking its 50th anniversary this year. The Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa plans to launch a year of celebrations with an anniversary luau on Friday.

The hotel opened as the Sheraton Maui Hotel in January 1963 with a special introductory rate of $15.

The first commercial flight ever to arrive on Maui from the U.S. mainland brought comedian Bob Hope, singer Bing Crosby and other celebrities to the Valley Isle for the party.

United Airlines invited Maui residents and students to tour the DC-8 jet plane.

The landowner transformed Kanaapali into a resort to diversify the company’s economic base.

Airlines

Service cut

Flights to the Domincan Republic might get a bit more crowded in April when American Airlines cancels service from New York City to Santo Domingo and Santiago.

American will still fly to the Dominican Republic from its Miami hub, including four times per day to the capital. The airline recently has been shifting more Caribbean flights to Miami.

Also in April, the company will halt inter-island flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico that were served by American Eagle. The company will instead serve most of the islands from Miami.

Air travel

FCC to boost

Wi-Fi availability

Getting delayed at an airport may be less of a headache in the future if you are traveling with a smartphone, laptop or tablet.

The Federal Communications Commission said it is increasing by 35 percent the availability of high-speed wireless Internet at airports, convention centers and conference hubs.

Internet users would be able to access higher Wi-Fi speeds, and that means more portable devices could stream high-definition movies and television.

The effort was announced by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski during the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Miami Herald

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