Representatives of the Princeville Operating Company and Starwood Vacation Ownership yesterday confirmed that each group is laying off approximately 40 employees — for a total of 80 — although none of those affected worked directly for two of Kaua‘i’s larger
Representatives of the Princeville Operating Company and Starwood Vacation Ownership yesterday confirmed that each group is laying off approximately 40 employees — for a total of 80 — although none of those affected worked directly for two of Kaua‘i’s larger resort hotels.
Princeville Operating Company, which manages the renovating Princeville Resort, to open next year as a St. Regis, on Thursday closed the final nine holes of its prestigious 27-hole Makai golf course.
“It necessitated some temporary layoffs because we’re actually closing the entire course so that the work can be done,” said Mamo Cummings Graham, Director of Resort Marketing.
Director of Golf Michael Castillo said the temporary layoffs covered “the entire operation, across the board,” including the pro shop, maintenance workers, managers and others.
Castillo said the closure of the final nine holes was unexpected and that there had been no schedule to close those holes in December when the first 18 were closed in October for renovations.
He declined to speculate as to why the change in planning was made, saying it was an ownership decision.
Graham noted she expected the course to reopen in the fall of 2009 and she expected the employees to return.
Castillo agreed, saying, “Everyone is still employed. The employees were all told they still have their jobs, and that they’ll be asked to return. They’ll be asked to come back throughout the renovation and through the completion of the renovation.”
Laid off Po‘ipu-based sales and marketing employees of Starwood Vacation Ownership will not be as fortunate.
“Unfortunately, due to the economy, we have to make some difficult choices in the company,” said Vice President of Corporate Communications David Matheson in announcing the elimination of roughly 40 positions from the Po‘ipu sales gallery, which will be closed.
“Throughout this year, we’ve been making changes throughout the company, from Kaua‘i to the Bahamas.”
Matheson noted the layoffs and gallery closing have effectively no connection with the nearby Starwood-owned Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort because that property does not host any vacation ownership.
Starwood’s lone vacation ownership property on Kaua‘i is the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, which has its own on-site sales gallery, Matheson said.
A message left for a manager at the Princeville gallery was not returned as of press time.
Kaua‘i’s tourism industry has taken a serious hit over the past year.
Figures released from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism last month showed the number of visitors to the island in October 2008 had dropped 25.9 percent from the same month in 2007.
Statewide, that dip was 13.5 percent.
• Michael Levine, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or via e-mail at mlevine@kauaipubco.com
