Local Industry for Sunday — November 20, 2005

NEWS & NOTES

Cruise ships calling on Nawiliwili

• Tomorrow, Monday, Nov. 21, the Pride of Aloha, 850 feet long, calls on Nawiliwili Harbor, arriving at 7 a.m. and departing Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. This Wednesday, Nov. 23, the Norwegian Wind arrives at 8 a.m., and departs the same day at 5 p.m. This Thursday, Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day, the Pride of America, 965 feet long, arrives at 8 a.m., and leaves at 6 p.m. the same day. This Friday, Nov. 25, the Infinity arrives at 7 a.m., and leaves at 6 p.m. the same day. On Sunday, Nov. 27, the Island Princess arrives at 8 a.m., leaving at 6 p.m. the same day.

Kaua’i Visitors Bureau Annual Membership Luncheon set

• Friday, Dec. 9 is the date of the Kaua’i Visitors Bureau Annual Membership Luncheon, at the Kaua’i Marriott Resort & Beach Club, with registration at 11:30 a.m., and lunch and the program at noon. The program includes a recap of advertising and public relations actions in calendar 2005, highlights of the calendar 2006 marketing plan, and guest speaker, Judy Drosd, former Kaua’i film commissioner and now with the state arts, film and entertainment office. The charge is $30 per person, and the reservations deadline is Thursday, Dec. 1, at 4:30 p.m. Please call the KVB office, 245-3971, for reservations and more information.

Cost-U-Less sales are down

• Officials at Cost-U-Less reported a 4.1-percent decrease in same-store sales (including the Kapa’a location) for the four-week period ending Sunday, Oct. 23, reflecting bad timing of the annual anniversary sale. Last year, the anniversary sale fell in fiscal October, while this year it fell in fiscal September. Same-store sales for the same week last year were up 11.5 percent. For the 43-week year to date this year, same-store sales were up 4.8 percent, compared to an increase of 14.1 percent for the same period in 2004. Total sales for the week ending Sunday, Oct. 23 were $15.9 million, down 5.6 percent from the same period last year ($16.9 million).

State tax take on the rise

• State Department of Taxation officials reported total tax revenues of $322 million last month, and $1.42 billion for the fiscal year to date. General-excise and use taxes accounted for much of the funds, $192 million last month and $771 million for the fiscal year to date, while transient accommodations taxes (hotel-room taxes) were $14.39 million last month, and $69.77 million for the fiscal year to date. All of the tax revenues showed increases compared to the same year-to-date period in fiscal 2004-05.

Chamber business directory coming soon

• All those interested in advertising in the 2006 Kaua’i Chamber of Commerce Community Guide & Business Directory, and community map, should contact Sue Finley of IBA Publishing, toll-free at 1-877-872-1063. Those interested in purchasing the guide or map should call the chamber office, 245-7363.

Royal Hawaiian Movers opens in Lawa’i

• Royal Hawaiian Movers, Inc. has been operating in Hawai’i for over 20 years in the moving industry, with branches on Maui, O’ahu and the Big Island, but only for a short time on Kaua’i. Tuesday, Nov. 1 marked the grand opening of the Royal Hawaiian Movers Kaua’i branch office, in the Lawai Cannery complex. Melanie Zaima-Higashi is the general manager, and brings with her to the new position 25 years of experience in the trucking, storage and household-moving industry.

Office Manager Colleen Louis comes to Royal Hawaiian Movers with 12 years of experience in trucking, general freight and freight-forwarding.

They offer door-to-door service throughout the islands, and beyond Hawai’i through affiliations with operators of several major van lines. They are approved to move military families, and also service commercial, interisland, container drayage, general freight and local moves.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the telephone number is 332-7400. Zaima-Higashi’s e-mail address is melaniez@royalhawaiianmovers.com, and the company Web site is www.royalhawaiianmovers.com.