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.