THE BIG ISLAND’S HUALALAI RESORT, home to the 243-room Four Seasons Hualalai, has been sold to computer magnate Michael Dell’s MSD Capital in partnership with investment management firm Rockpoint Group. A seamless transition is anticipated, with Four Seasons continuing to manage the hotel. MSD purchased the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea in 2004.
General Hawaii News: June 2006 Archives
The Waikaloa Beach Hotel, on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, has begun a $95-million expansion that will see additional stores, a gourmet market and an amphitheater with grass seating for 4,000 people. The project, called the Queens MarketPlace, is slated for completion in one year
This is the final week that the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau will accept entries to its "My Hawaii Photo Gallery" contest.
The competition for a free trip to any Mainland city served by Hawaiian Airlines has been fierce, with about 5,000 entries submitted so far.
Photos are being sought, especially from neighbor islands, of local culture from an "only in Hawaii" perspective reflecting the islands' way of life.
HVCB is looking for photos in particular subject areas: fine art photos, beach, cuisine, culture, family fun, golf, outdoor activities, romance, shopping and spa activities. HVCB will create an online photo album on its popular www.GoHawaii.com Web site with these photos.
The submission deadline is June 30. Only digital photos accepted; submit online to GoHawaii.com/photocontest . Photos must be at least 300 dpi resolution but no larger than 3 megabytes. A complete set of contest rules and information is available online at GoHawaii.com/photocontest .
An upscale travel magazine has named Hawaiian Airlines the best airline serving Hawaii.
Travel+Leisure magazine, based on responses in an annual survey, ranked Hawaiian the top Hawaii airline for the eighth year in a row.
Hawaiian (AMEX: HA) was ranked the fifth best domestic airline overall, following JetBlue Airways, Midwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Readers rated the airlines on cabin comfort, food, in-flight service, customer service and value.
The full survey results appear in the magazine's August issue.
THE 412-ROOM SHERATON KAUAI RESORT has named Tia Graham director of sales and marketing. At The Kahala Hotel, on Oahu, Rowena Anecito has been named senior sales manager for the western region.
SEGWAY OF HAWAII, based at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, is offering a range of commissionable tours in Waikiki and Honolulu. Tour options include a 50-minute Introduction Tour on the grounds of the Hilton Hawaiian Village for $49 and tours of Ala Moana Beach Park ($79 to and Diamond Head Lighthouse ($110). Private, three-hour, custom guided tours are priced at $125, per person. Call (808) 941-3151 or visit www.segwayofhawaii.com.
Sail out with our marine biologist guides to gently view sea creatures where they live. Snorkel near turtles, dolphins and tropical fish. Limited-time photo seafari's on 42 ft. catamaran (4-16 passengers). Visit dolphins in their natural habitats and discover a natural underwater turtle "cleaning station" where tropical coral reef fish and giant green sea turtles have a unique relationship. Snorkeling equipment, instruction, breakfast, drinks and snacks provided. Portion of proceeds are donated to the Wild Dolphin Foundation. Click on title above for general information.
Contact: Reservations (808) 306-7273
AFTER A YEAR OF SPECULATION, it’s now official: Donald Trump is about to embark on a major Waikiki condominium project that will add the Trump name to Honolulu-based Outrigger Enterprises’ Beach Walk redevelopment project. The 460-unit residential property will include entertainment and dining venues, with apartment prices starting at $500,000 and moving quickly in the millions. The condo is scheduled to open in 2009.
Just ahead of the busy summer vacation season, Hawaii hotel occupancy has been holding just below three-quarters full, with room rates well above last year's.
For the seven days through June 3, statewide occupancy was 74.6 percent, slightly fuller than the previous week and eight tenths of one percent below the comparable week year.
Book your room now at Travel-Hawaii.
THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY has appointed the following people to its board of directors: Kelvin Bloom, president of ResortQuest Hawaii; Patricia Ewing of Kong Lung Trading Co. on Kauai; and Michael Kobayashi, president of Kobayashi Travel Service. The HTA is an advisory group that seeks to direct tourism growth strategies.
Plan your next vacation at Travel-Hawaii.
THE HANALEI COLONY RESORT is focusing on wedding and honeymoon bookings with its Weddings with Aloha program. The Kauai Wedding and Honeymoon getaway includes seven nights in a two-bedroom Premium Oceanfront condominium, on-site wedding coordinator, minister, witness, orchid leis and additional gifts, tours and services.
The Ala Moana Hotel is honoring the completion of its first-phase room renovations with specials good for bookings through June 30, 2006. Rates range from $169 for a renovated Waikiki Tower room, $139 for a renovated Kona Tower room and $139 for a Waikiki Tower room that has not been renovated. Bookings are commissionable at 20%. Agents making bookings for themselves are being offered daily rates of $109 to $139.
