• More summer flights • Hotel occupancy • Best Family Restaurant • Visitor News • First Quarter Arrivals to Hawai‘i Up Nearly Four Percent • Cruise Capacity Up 35 Percent • New Businesses • Protective Coatings • College Counseling •
• More summer flights
• Hotel occupancy
• Best Family Restaurant
• Visitor News
• First Quarter Arrivals to Hawai‘i Up Nearly Four Percent
• Cruise Capacity Up 35 Percent
• New Businesses
• Protective Coatings
• College Counseling
• Food Safety Cert
• UH Football
More summer flights
United is increasing its schedule to three or four flights, depending on the day of the week. United began adding nonstop flights to Lihue in April and will begin expanded service as of June 5.
American Airlines is adding a second daily flight from Los Angeles to Lihue on June 2. Mainland-bound passengers on both United and American can now chose from early morning or late-night flights.
Aloha Airlines is reviving its direct Oakland-Lihue nonstop flight June 17 for the summer months. Aloha also will add a second daily flight between Oakland and Honolulu beginning July 2, connecting Hawaii to the San Francisco Bay Area with five flights a day.
Hotel occupancy
Hawaii had the highest hotel occupancy rate among the nation’s top 25 markets in the first quarter of this year and Kaua‘i had the highest percentage of occupancy. Hospitality Advisors says Hawaii’s average occupancy rate in the three-month period was 80.1 percent, up from 74.3 percent the same period a year ago. Miami was second at 76.6 percent. The March occupancy rate in Hawaii was 80.7 percent, up seven points over last year. Maui led the March occupancy with 83 percent, followed by Kauai at 81.8 percent point percent, Oahu at 80.2 percent and the Big Island at 77.5 percent.
Best Family Restaurant
In conjunction with the Travel Channel’s annual World’s Best online poll, Keoki’s Paradise was selected as the “Best Family Restaurant.” Keoki’s Paradise is one of six TS Restaurants in Hawai‘i, and one of two on the island of Kaua‘i.
Visitor News
Japanese Golden Week Up 68 Percent
The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DEBDT) says non-stop passenger volume from Japan was 68 percent above 2003 levels for the seven-day period ending April 29, 2004, the beginning of Japan’s Golden Week holiday travel period. Travel during Golden Week in 2003 (April 29-May 5, 2003) was negatively impacted by the war in Iraq and the SARS epidemic, especially affecting the Japanese outbound travel market. Domestic passenger volume continued to perform above 2003 levels, up 11 percent, and total domestic and international (excluding Canada) volume on non-stop flights arriving in Hawaii rose to 16 percent above 2003 levels for the seven-day period.
First Quarter Arrivals to Hawai‘i Up Nearly Four Percent
Total visitor air arrivals to Hawaii totaled 1.6 million in the first quarter of 2004, an increase of 3.8 percent over the same period last year, according to DEBDT. The market was driven by arrivals from the U.S. East (+7.6%) and U.S. West (+5.7%) during the first three months of the year. Domestic visitor arrivals also registered the best March on record, with 1.1 million arrivals. Arrivals from Japan in the 1st quarter were down 1.3 percent, despite the 11.2 percent boost in March (the jump in March reflects the comparison to last March when the market was negatively impacted by the War in Iraq and the SARS epidemic).
Cruise Capacity Up 35 Percent
Despite a decline in overall cruise capacity to the south Pacific (-37%), the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) says capacity to Hawaii will be up 34.6 percent in 2004, according to Travel Management Daily.
New Businesses
East Side Choppers
Building choppers from scratch. Shop has the latest helmets, goggles, eyewear, leather, shirts, fetish shoes, Brazilian pants and skirts, piercing jewelry. These boys have it all. Located at Nawiliwili. Call 246-6661.
Protective Coatings
Jim Glessner of CMC Distributors offers protective coatings utilizing an anti-growth clear liquid that stops mold, mildew and algae on surfaces. Call 826-0144. College Counseling
College Counseling
Robert J. “Rob” Kvidt (M.Ed.) is offering independent college counseling for Kauai’s students. Kvidt brings 20 years of nation-wide expertise as college admissions director to students and parents. Kvidt helps with personalized college counseling and coaching for juniors and senior, essay and application advice, assistance/advocacy in gaining admission to college, early planning for freshmen and sophomore. Contact 639-0147.
Food Safety Cert
Edward Fernandez will be giving a presentation on Food Safety Certification through ServSafe on May 27 – 28 from 10 am- 2 pm at the Kaua‘i Veteran’s Center in Lihue. Protect your customers, employees, and reputation, and avoid food poisoning, exposure to lawsuits, and negative media. Cost is $140 plus tax. If you qualify for Employment Training Fund assistance, cost is $72.91. To find out if you qualify for Employment Training Assistance, contact Workforce Development Division at 274-3056. For more information about the certification, call (808) 640-6378.
UH Football
A Na Koa Football luncheon will be held May 19 at 11:30 am at Kaua`i Marriott Resort & Beach Club’s Master Ballroom. Tickets are $25.00. The feataured speaker will be Herman Frazier, the UH Athletic Director and June Jones, UH Head Football Coach. For tickets, call Allan Smith or Mike Furukawa at 245-3678.
New Business
Information Website
The Hawaii Tourism Authority launched a new business information website www.hawaiiworks.com. The site provides information about meetings, conventions, emerging business developments and how to start a business in Hawaii. The site also provides contact information to local private and public entities, including HVCB, the Hawaii Convention Center and DBEDT.
National Consumer Confidence Rises 4.4 Points in April
The National Consumer Confidence Index increased for the first time this year in April, up 4.4 points from the previous month to 92.9 (1985=100), according to the Conference Board. The “Present Situation” index increased to 90.6 (from 84.4 in March), and the “Expectations” index rose more than three points to 94.5 (from 91.3 in March). The Conference Board attributes the consumer confidence improvement to a more favorable view on current business and labor market conditions, and an overall positive economic outlook over the next six months.
