DFS Group has re-opened two of its stores at Kahului International Airport in Maui, which had been temporarily closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Branded as Kahului Trading Company, the stores have long been popular with travellers looking to purchase local souvenirs and food and gifts before leaving Hawaii.

DFS operates a total of five stores at Kahului Airport, two of which are Kahului Trading Company outlets located in the rotunda of the international terminal. The Kahului Trading Company stores specialise in local and locally made products including cookies, chocolates and souvenirs.

In accordance with health requirements, all five stores suspended operations at various times throughout 2020.

However, given the recent relaxation of pandemic measures in Hawaii and the resumption of some flights from Maui to the US mainland and Canada, DFS has re-opened the two Kahului Trading Company stores effective 15 March 2021.

The stores are trading from 5pm to 10pm daily, timed with departing flight schedules.

FLIGHTS RESUME AT KAHULUI AIRPORT

DFS Managing Director, North America, Martin Matthews said: “We are excited to welcome travellers back to two of our Kahului Airport stores and to see some flights resume as health conditions stabilise.

“Hawaii remains one of our most important locations and we remain steadfastly committed to the state. We look forward to resuming normal operations and serving local and international customers as soon as we can.”

DFS opened its first Hawaii airport operations in 1962 at Honolulu International Airport, becoming the first duty free shop in the United States. Since then, DFS has expanded its local presence in Hawaii, opening its first downtown store in Honolulu in 1968.

This was followed by its flagship store in Waikiki Square in 1975. The first DFS Kahului Airport store opened in 1997.