Maui Land & Pine Future Cloudy

Aloha Kakou:

Maui Land & Pine, which grows all of the pineapple on Maui and owns the Kapalua resort is in a very weak financial position, according to a report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday.

The company has made some progress toward restructuring, including hiring Outrigger to manage their Villas condominium vacation rental program.

Just to shut down the company is expected to cost over $16 million.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/527174.html?nav=10

Maui Visitors Down This November

Aloha Kakou:

Maui visitor numbers were down 2.9% this November compared to 2008, according to an article in today's Maui News.

Maui's visitor spending per day of $166 ranking third, behind Lanai and Oahu.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/527158.html?nav=10

One Man's 2010 Forecast

Aloha Kakou:

This article from today's USA Today discusses the outlook of travel for 2010.

The two most important points:
1. people want to spend less on travel so they're driving instead of flying (which kind of leaves Hawaii out!) and
2. the weak demand for hotel rooms has undermined pricing, which means more work for less money.

http://bit.ly/7Kbw7O

A Dollar & A Half For An Antique Postcard

Aloha Kakou:

Just in case you missed the opportunity to bid on this old postcard of the A building swimming pool on UK's ebay, I'm letting you know!

http://bit.ly/8prH3y

Mele Kalikimaka!

Mele Kalikimaka from all the Outrigger Maui Eldorado ohana!

Outrigger Maui Eldorado Partners With Choice Hotels

Aloha Kakou:

The Outrigger Maui Eldorado, along with other Outrigger Condominium Collection properties, is now in partnership with Choice Hotels under Choices "Ascend" hotel group.

This strategic alliance may mean more revenue for us as guests who regularly stay at any of Choice Hotel's eleven distinct hotel brands now have an option in Hawaii, an option they've not had before.

http://www.hotelsmag.com/article/439459-Choice_Hotels_Adds_33_Properties_In_November.php

Here's more information on Choice's Ascend Collection:

http://www.ascendcollection.com/?sid=An$ai.QArshgqyxg.12

Last Pineapple Harvest

Aloha Kakou:

While Maui Land and Pine workers are harvesting the last of their pineapple crop, a deal may be in the works for a new, leaner company to take over the cultivation of pineapple for local use.

The last ML&P pineapples were picked Wednesday.

The new company, which is still in the works and will be backed by a hui of local investors, is planning to concentrate on the fields in the Haliimale area.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/527037.html?nav=10

Large Surf Coming

Aloha Kakou:

The National Weather Service has issued a high surf warning for north and west facing shores of Maui from noon today through A warning is more severe that a watch in that the forecasters a certain that the high surf is approaching.

A lower tide coinciding with this high surf means there may be less beach erosion but the ocean waves will still be too big to swim or to surf.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/527041.html?nav=10

Vacation

Aloha Kakou:

I'll be on vacation for the next two weeks. If you need anything, please contact Ruby at 808-667-4214.

See you on December 21!

New Grocery Delivery Program Gets Play

Aloha Kakou:

Please check out this December 4 page for a mention of our new grocery delivery program:

http://www.wheretogonext.com/

Hawaii Hotel Occupancy

Aloha Kakou:

Howard Dicus of KGMB does a visual representation of Hawaii's hotel occupancy using Legos, for those of you who need a diagram to illustrate this morning's statistics:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11621889

Even though it's not shown here, Howard also mentioned our new partnership with Demming's Delivery for groceries delivered to the guest's unit prior to arrival.

October Hawaii Visitors Up But Maui Down

Aloha Kakou:

Visitor numbers to Hawaii in October increased this year compared to last. Maui's visitor numbers, however, lagged last year by 2%.

"Room rates are down and all other costs are rising," said Barry Wallace, executive vice president for Outrigger Enterprises Group. "It's nice to see people on the streets and beaches and in the hotels and restaurants, but it's not a pretty picture."

http://www.starbulletin.com/business/20091204_Group_travelers_give_hotel_occupancy_a_lift.html

Today's Painting Update

Aloha Kakou:

Painting continues on the "point" of J building with both the first and second floors under way. Of course, the masking is ongoing, with the painting directly behind it, but progress can be seen.

Outrigger Maui Eldorado in Frommer's Budget Travel

Aloha Kakou:

Please note this mention of the Outrigger Maui Eldorado in Frommer's Budget Travels website from November 10, 2009.

http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2009/11/10/AR2009111009029.html

J Masking Continues

Aloha Kakou:

Painters continue to mask the end of J building, now working on the second floor railings since the floors have been completely masked on the first level.

Beginning J Building

Aloha Kakou:

The painters got underway with masking on J building today as they began by masking the hallway and lanai floors. Some of the prep work on the stairway railings and the spalling was begun last week. This week, the plan is to paint up to 109/209.

Travel Blog Mention

Aloha Kakou:

Scroll down to just below the palm tree to see today's mention of the Outrigger Maui Eldorado on this travel blog from the UK:

http://www.sharingtravelexperiences.com/?s=maui+eldorado

Value Still In Vogue

Aloha Kakou:

Next year, guests will still be seeking value in their lodging choices, according to a joint study by the US Travel Association and Ypartnership. We've already considered that sentiment and are acting upon it for 2010.

http://www.hotelsmag.com/article/CA6709238.html?nid=3457&rid=14377667

Globe & Mail Advertisement

Aloha Kakou:

This advertisement appeared in Canada's Globe and Mail last Saturday.


glb-sat-21112009-t011-c-sas-001-cci_x

Later Booking For Holiday Travel

Aloha Kakou:

This year's trend is to wait later to book travel over both Thanksgiving and Christmas.

While waiting longer may be the trend, our experience here is that those folks calling at the last minute are still expecting the lowest rates, even when we have little or nothing left to sell and are consequently disappointed that they've missed out.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-11-23-holiday-booking_N.htm

Maui Historical Society Event

Aloha Kakou:

Don't miss the 9th annual E Ho oulu Aloha festival at the Bailey House Museum in Wailuku.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 tomorrow.

Hula dancing, lei making and some great names in Hawaiian (and Maui) music will be there.

This festival is always one of those "local" type events that most visitors never get the chance to see. Go, already!

flyer2eha09

Aloha Kakou:

Hawaii is on track to receive about 6.5 million visitors in 2009, placing the islands' visitor counts at low levels not seen since 2002 and 2003.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091125/NEWS01/911250354/Hawaii+visitors+expected+to+be+below+7+million+again+this+year

Aloha Kakou:

While growth in visitor arrivals is up for the sixth straight month, overall visitor arrivals are down for October, 2009, when compared to last October.

Alaska & Hawaiian Airlines' new direct flights are helping to bring new visitors from both Alaska and Oregon, even though visitor numbers from California are off slightly.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/526109.html?nav=10

H Is Done

Aloha Kakou:

The painters finished the bulk of H building today. All that is left to do is the small touch-up and detail work.

AOAO Maintenance worked on sealing the futurastone in G building as you can see by their yellow tape and sticks!

October Visitor Numbers Down, But Not By Much

Aloha Kakou:

Hawaii tourism was down again for October, but last year's dismal numbers mean that '09's dip was nowhere near as dramatic.

Total visitor days are down 3.3, from last year's 9.1.

Visitor spending for October, 2009, was $179 per person, per day, down from '08's $185.

The number of visitors from the US west coast increased in October, up 2.5%. October was the sixth consecutive month of visitor increases from the US west coast.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091124/BREAKING03/91124019/Hawaii+visitor+spending++arrivals+by+air+and+ship+down+for+October

H Building Continued

Aloha Kakou:

With almost all of the masking removed, handrails and trim were on the painters' agendas today as they worked to finish up H building. They also worked on the eave fascia. It looks as though they'll be done on time, with plans to powerwash the first phase of J building on Wednesday.

Maui Invitational Brings In The Crowds

Aloha Kakou:

The Maui Invitational, which begins it's main slate of games today, is showing Maui in a positive light.

"Every commercial break has shots of Maui, and absolutely every shot of the basketball court has banners and information about businesses in Maui," Maui Tourism Bureau Executive Director Terryl Vencl said. "We could never afford to buy that kind of advertising. And then in between games, (ESPN does) segments showing the athletes and their families doing activities on the island, like surfing and snorkeling. The whole tournament is a commercial for Maui."

Just don't try to turn left off the highway into the Civic Center!

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/525994.html?nav=10

Times They Are A-Changin'

Aloha Kakou:

The Star Market in Honokowai is no more. The entire Star Market chain has been taken over by Times Markets, an Oahu-based chain. Times is the third largest supermarket company in Hawaii, behind Safeway and Foodland.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/525862.html?nav=10

Done For The Week

Aloha Kakou:

The painters have unmasked a good deal of H building, meaning that most of the spray painting is finished on both floors. They still have to paint the eave fascia and the dark brown doors and handrails, which they will do next week. The plan is to be finished in H by Wednesday and then on to the first phase of J the following Monday.

Update On H

Aloha Kakou:

Even though the H building is scheduled to be out of service until next Wednesday, the painters look as though they've done quite a bit of the first floor's light brown body color and medium brown on the columns.

H Building Underway

Aloha Kakou:

With the masking completed, the painters today worked on spraying the first floor body color. They've completed the hallway area and the south side of the building.

Lackluster 1st Quarter Followed By Slooow Recovery

Aloha Kakou:

Leroy Laney and Paul Brewbaker, economic advisers to First Hawaiian Bank and Bank of Hawaii, respectively, agree that the first half of 2010 will continue to be slow with a turn toward a very slow recovery beginning mid-2010.

The state of Hawaii is projecting flat visitor spending for '10, with a gradual and modest recovery continuing through 2012.

And, as we've seen before, Hawaii's delayed entry to the worldwide downturn will mean a much more delayed return to good times.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091118/NEWS01/911180367/Hawaii+s+economic+bounceback+likely+to+be+slow++state+says

H Building's Coming Along

Aloha Kakou:

The painters worked at finishing up the floor and lanai railing masking today. Additionally, they are prepping the eaves for painting.

H Building Masking

Aloha Kakou:

The service lanai floors and a few railings were masked today as the painters began work on the H building. Last week's head start on the hand rails and spalling should help to make light work for the remainder of the week. The sconce backplates have been installed; in fact, it looks as though the new lighting project has been finished property-wide.

And The Reason You Don't Have A Flat Screen Is...?

Aloha Kakou:

One of my favorite comments recently came from a guest who gave low marks to their unit because there wasn't a single flat screen TV in the place!

Never mind paint, upholstery and carpet; their idea of a modern unit hinged completely on the vintage and type of television!

Have I ever mentioned that guests expect their vacation rental experience to be equal to or better than their home?

Just some food for thought...

http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/13/news/economy/retail_holidayshopping_pricewars_television/index.htm

Free Wireless Internet

Aloha Kakou:

Comments like these have been around for a long time now.

Given the general trend in hotel amenities, guests are coming to expect free wi-fi service at their hotels.

Yes, I know, we offer free wired internet service.

Hasn't the time come, however, for us to consider upgrading our infrastructure to provide some kind of wireless internet service in order to be competitive?

http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/is-it-time-for-a-free-the-wi-fi-campaign-for-hotels/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tripso+%28Consumertraveler.com%29

Aloha Kakou:

While most higher-end Maui properties are appealing to lower-end travellers strictly with rate, the article linked below discusses other ways that luxury properties are attempting to muscle in on business normally associated with lower ranked hotels.

As I have mentioned in the past, this strategy is somewhat of a concern for us at the Outrigger Maui Eldorado as hotels and oceanfront properties reduce their rates into our usual territory. That means that we either need to lower our rates (which we've done), offer some kind of competitive deal (like we're doing with the golf and spa deals and the restaurant discounts), or improve the property and units so the Outrigger Maui Eldorado is seen as a good value as compared to our now new luxury competitors.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10625691/1/high-end-hotels-lure-huddled-masses.html

H & J Progress

Aloha Kakou:

Work continues on H and J buildings as spalling is repaired and handrails are prepped for painting. The current schedule includes power washing of H building tomorrow followed by that building's painting next week. Starting November 30th, painting will begin on J building. That building will be painted in three different sections, with each section taking a week to finish. The painting work is on schedule and, right now, looks to be completed by December 18.

Wednesday's Work

Aloha Kakou:

The painters got a head start on H building today. They worked on sanding and prepping the hand railings prior to painting. They also started on repair of the minor spalling, this time prior to painting.

Painting & Walkway Progress

Aloha Kakou:

Following their rush to finish G building last week, the painters now find themselves working on small projects around the property prior to starting on the H building. There are numerous small spalling projects as well as some touch up areas that are keeping them busy this week. AOAO maintenance personnel are continuing their piecemeal work on the Futurastone walkway sealing. You never know where they'll be working but they are easily tracked by the smell of the sealer - whew! Thank goodness it dries quickly!