Listening

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Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a clearance
    • ex. Visitors need to get security clearance before they can enter the building.
  2. an inspection
    • ex. The manager does regular inspections to make sure every product is of good quality.
  3. boost
    • ex. The new law will boost the economy and create more job opportunities.
  4. sluggish
    • ex. The beach resort is popular during summer. But its business becomes sluggish during autumn and winter.
  5. wipe out
    • ex. The flood wiped out small houses in the neighborhood.

Article

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Hawaii leaders want to make it easier for Japanese tourists to visit the U.S. state. Hawaii’s government will do this by creating a pre-clearance program. The pre-clearance program will allow Japanese travelers to save time at the Honolulu airport. How? By finishing all necessary inspections before the flight. Gov. Josh Green suggested this idea during a recent visit to Tokyo. He hopes the program will help boost tourism.

Japanese travelers are Hawaii’s top international visitors. But tourism in Hawaii has been sluggish since the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan and Hawaii have been talking about the pre-clearance program for many years. Green believes that this program could open direct flights to other islands, including Maui.

In the recent past, the Japanese government provided aid to Hawaii. This happened after the wildfire that wiped out much of Lahaina, a town in west Maui. This time, Hawaii wants to bring back more tourists from Japan. Green said that Japanese tourists are welcome to Hawaii because they respect Hawaii’s culture and environment. Green said he would ask the U.S. Congress to help make the program possible.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Tourism in Hawaii and Pre-clearance Programs

  • Would you like to visit Hawaii someday? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • According to the article, tourism in Hawaii has been sluggish since the COVID-19 pandemic. What do you think the government should do to boost tourism? Discuss.
  • Hawaii is planning a pre-clearance program. In this program, all inspections will be done before the flight. Do you think inspections before flights are important? Why or why not? Discuss.

Tourists’ Behavior

  • How do you usually behave when visiting another country? Discuss.
  • Why is it necessary for tourists to respect the culture and environment of the countries they visit? Discuss.
  • According to Green, Japanese tourists are welcome to Hawaii. In your opinion, what kind of tourists are welcome in your country? Discuss.