• Hawaii tourism office in Beijing • Kauai Marriott • Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau • Kaua‘i Lagoons • Contractor’s Association • Pau Spam Hawaii tourism office in Beijing The National Tourism Administration of China has given approval for establishment of a
• Hawaii tourism office in Beijing
• Kauai Marriott
• Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau
• Kaua‘i Lagoons
• Contractor’s Association
• Pau Spam
Hawaii tourism office in Beijing
The National Tourism Administration of China has given approval for establishment of a State of Hawai‘i Tourism Office in Beijing.
Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona made the announcement after returning to Honolulu from an eight-day mission to China last week. He was told of the approval by the National Tourism Administration’s chairman, He Guangwei. Aiona said Tthis is a critical step in positioning Hawai‘i’s tourism business in China. Hawaii’s Integrated Development Group of companies signed a memorandum of understanding with the Geely Holding Co., one of the top-ten private holding companies in China, to develop a resort on Hainan Island in southern China. Aiona said the planned development reminded him of what Hanalei was like 50 years ago. The University of Hawaii Travel Industry Management School and Nankai University in Tianjin signed their own memo of understanding to develop a tourism expertise exchange programs. Nankai is the oldest university in China. More than 100 Chinese companies met with 24 Hawaii companies to discuss business partnership opportunities.
Kauai Marriott
The Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club is offering intimate seaside cabana and private gazebo dinners. While the locations and ambiance vary, both experiences pamper the couple with fresh flower lei upon arrival, private butler for the evening, a four-course meal prepared by Executive Chef Guy Higa, a beautifully decorated table for two with lace overlays and candles, and champagne.
“This is one of the many ways couples can celebrate in the company of each other over a fabulous meal in one of the most romantic settings in the world,” said Simon Jongert, general manager of the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club.
Couples can customize the menu to fit their tastes or lifestyle with appetizers and second courses, from Tomato and Mozzarella Tower with basil oil and balsamic syrup to Seafood Bisque with Crab Dumplings and Crème Fraiche.
The Seaside Cabana is an intimate venue located on Kalapaki Beach while Private Gazebo is off the mezzanine of the hotel, offering panoramic views of Hawaii’s largest swimming pool and Nawiliwili Bay. Dinners are $310 for two, exclusive of tax and gratuity, and include fresh flower lei, private butler, four course meal, and free flow of house champagne. A minimum three-day advance notice is required. For reservations, the catering department at 246-5100.
Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau
The Kaua‘i Visitor’s Bureau last week had received seven responses to its June advertisement for requests for proposals. Contenders for the one-year, $500,000 contract include independent Oahu-based incumbent Starr Seigle Communications, which has held the account for five years. A $170,000 to $180,000 contract to handle the Bureau’s public relations work is up for grabs, too. Oahu-based McNeil Wilson has handled that account for five years. communications.
“We try to shake things up every four to five years,” said Sue Kanoho, Bureau president. “We try to make sure we’ve got the best representation for the best price.”
It takes three to four weeks for responses, after which three companies make the short list April 9. After presentations are made, the 14-member board votes and makes recommendations.
“Every agency brings their own flair to the account, but not all agencies want our business,” Kanoho said. “You have to make sure it’s a match.”
For example, Starr has strong creative talent, but McNeil has strong media buying expertise. This year’s marketing themes will involved three areas: e-marketing, romance and gold, and exploring the diversity of activities on Kaua‘i, Kanoho said.
Kaua‘i Lagoons
The 800-acre Kaua‘i Lagoons resort will undergo an expansion by local developer Kevin Showe, who recently partnered with a Canada-based company in October, to purchase two golf courses and surrounding undeveloped land at the resort. Several hundred residential homes might be added, along with a hotel condominium and time-share units projected to sell for more than $500 million. In 1998, Showe partnered with developer Jeff Stone to revitalize Ko Olina Resort & Marina on O‘ahu. Stone recently purchased the Princeville Resort. Showe plans to remodel one of two retail centers and convert an unused restaurant into an apartment hotel at the Lagoons. Kaua‘i Lagoons opened in 1987 with an 840-room Westin Kaua‘i hotel, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course and wildlife-populated islands surrounded by 40 acres of man-made lagoons, complete with gondolas.
The Canadian company hasn’t disclosed its plans. But last weel, they partnered with Showe as Kaua‘i Development LLC in a 50-50 venture. Kaua‘i Development has about 65 acres slated for redevelopment that would allow up to 750 timeshares, rooms or residential units. The Artisan’s Landing retail complex could be destroyed within the next two months, but the Fashion Landing will be renovated and reopened. Inn on the Cliffs will be converted to a 10-unit condominium.
The Department of Taxation will be conducing its Summer workshop 2004 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on at the Radisson Kaua‘i Beach Resort’s Orchid Hibiscus Room in Lihue.
Topics include a review of 2004 state tax legislation changes coming October 2004 affecting business taxpayers. A special presentation will be by the IRS. Cost is $60 for people who register two weeks prior to the workshop date. An additional $5 fee is charged for late registrations. The cost includes continental breakfast, workshop materials and the Hawaii Tax Laws and Administrative Rules CD. Four hours of Continuing Professional Education credit will be given. Workshop materials cost $15 separately. For information, call 1-800-222-7572 or 587-7572, or see www.state.hi.us/tax, or call the External Training and Outreach staff at 808-587-1786 or email
Contractor’s Association
The Contractor’s Association of Kaua‘i and the state Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch will be presenting a workshop on the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program Tuesday, September 21 from 7:30 to 11:30 am at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club. Advance registration is required by September 10. Registration forms are available at the Building Division and Engineering Division of the County of Kaua‘i or call the Contractor’s Association at 246-2662. The workshop is designed for site contractors, residential and commercial contractors, construction managers, project engineers, developers, land owners, Realtors, and health and safety administrators. The presentation will include application requirements for the NPDES permits, construction storm water activities, construction dewatering, circulating water from decorative ponds and tanks, treated process wastewater, industrial storm water and hydrotesting water.
Pau Spam
Honolulu-based Pau Spam LLC, a provider of spam and virus-filtering services, announced the launch of its advisory board, and one of its inaugural members is Walter Dods, chairman and CEO of First Hawaiian Bank. Dods rose through the ranks at First Hawaiian while working in marketing, consumer loans, auto loans, wholesale lending and retail banking. He negotiated the merger of First Hawaiian with Bank of the West, a much larger bank based in San Francisco, and became head of the resulting joint parent company, which is now owned by Paris-based BNP Paribas. Dods was also the 1996-1997 president of the American Bankers’ Association.
“Dods will contribute to the overall strategic direction of the company and provide valuable insight into new market opportunities,” Pau Spam said.
Dods this year is edging toward retirement from First Hawaiian, but sits on the boards of Alexander & Baldwin, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Grace Pacific Corporation and Pacific Guardian Life Insurance, and is a key figure in the effort to acquire the Hawaii operations of Verizon Communications.
“Pau Spam’s proven technology, wide breadth of subscribers, and seasoned management team provide the company with an incredible opportunity for growth in an escalating market,” said Dods.
Pau Spam was launched in 2002 and is owned and managed by its three partners: Hoala Greevy, Gordon Bruce, and Andrew Lanning.
