Light Pole Installation

Aloha Kakou:

The Kaanapali Resort is continuing with their installation of the new, more efficient (and more aesthetically pleasing!) lighting along Kekaa Drive.

The old light pole and the new base to the left of the driveway.

The new light pole and the old one to the right of the driveway.

Electrical work for the new lights continues along Kekaa Drive.

Current Maui Eldorado Listings

Aloha Kakou:

If your New Year's resolution is to buy more Maui Eldorado real estate, here are the latest Maui Eldorado listings, brought to you by Susan DeLoria of Whaler's Realty.

Maui Eldorado Current Active Listings 12/28/2010

J-211 Studio $235,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext.533 / Cell 808-250-5948

I-203 Studio $299,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext 533/ Cell 808-250-5948

E-205 Studio $338,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext 533/ Cell 808-250-5948

K-215 Studio $345,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext 533/ Cell 808-250-5948

J-109 Studio $349,500 LH Nancy Montoya Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext.518/ 808-250-5073

I-201 1B/1B $358,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext 533/ Cell 808-250-5948

C-202 1B/1B $380,000 LH Derek Escalera Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext.229 / Cell 808-264-4617

C-102 1B/1B $385,000 LH Betty Sakamoto Sakamoto Properties
669-0070 / Cell 808-870-7062

G-105 1B/2B $390,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext.533 / Cell 808-250-5948

A-210 Studio $395,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext.533 / Cell 808-250-5948

D-206 1B/2B $395,000 LH Fred Haywood Realty
579-8848/ Cell 808-870-4904

J-120 Studio $399,000 LH Anastasia Tagayuna Prudential Maui Realtors 661-5200 / Cell

K-202 1B/2B $408,000 LH Thomas Brozozowski Roos Realty Inc.
667-9163/ Cell 808-280-0113

C-201 Studio $425,000 LH Joline Dorner Lowson and Associates
661-8771 / Cell 808-276-9015

K-100 2B/2B $590,000 LH Robert J Cartwright Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext 223

K-213 2B/2B $625,000 LH Thomas Brozozowski Roos Realty Inc.
667-9163/ Cell 808-280-0113

A-211 2B/2B $875,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc
661-8777 ext.533 / Cell 808-250-5948

I-204 2/2B $1,195,000 LH Casey Fukuda Sakamoto Properties Inc.
669-0070 / Cell 808-264-5362

Maui Visitor Numbers Up

Aloha Kakou:

The number of people visiting Maui increased nearly 19% this November as compared to last.

For the first eleven months of this year, the visitor count is up 10% compared to last year.

Maui visitor's spending has increased in 2010 by 36.7% (to $252.6 million) over 2009.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/544457/Spending--visitor-numbers-up-across-state.html?nav=10

HTA Official: "We Have A Long Way To Go"

Aloha Kakou:

Please see the following statement from Mike McCartney, head of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, regarding November's occupancy and revenue results:

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=vtxwcgdab&v=001qNmFLvMdRPCZjxa1ZgAGSNsj0vWvgXBcsowCMiOw4el7LTMmc3G9BSoasDgqEEtwaFaPuCdkhNLH5kESCTfO2NRGzPAntvx0aOYbEDu0CfMLYFzzI6Kh-R2e4S7OxlYOJc2XhTZwB31O4TzWK6tlBb_xg-0FL4b7kS-EIYaculDjUoJAEM5VogUr0QRM2w7cLdquCioA3oq5_KDb36aaCcX6XhsvzZBgQa_vbUPtv18ZxuKVSkMrTsvJqPcDxxreNlrOd2M1p00AJSR4-G6-GemJTri4117qUWPE4Ttc5LAopnJOpi-jKbLLFgA-qQY2

State's ADR & Occupancy Up For November

Aloha Kakou:

While a return to previously high room rates and occupancies may yet be three to four years away, November's increase in both metrics is a step in the right direction.

November's statewide ADR was $168.81, a 3.9% increase over 2009. Occupancy was up 6.7% to 67.8% over last November.

Experts attribute the increase in occupancy to the lower rates.

http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2010_4th/Dec10_HawaiiUp.html

Outrigger Maui Eldorado Mention

Aloha Kakou:

We used the comp fund to bring this author here to the Outrigger Maui Eldorado. The author clearly understands our off-beach value propostion, as well as the more subdued nature of the property.

http://ccnewspaper.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=953&Itemid=45

Completed Cabana Pix

Aloha Kakou:

Here are some photos of the completed kitchen area of the cabana. The cabinets were replaced, new solid-surface countertops installed, new flooring laid and new appliances purchased.

In addition, the entire building was painted and eaves with recessed lighting were installed.

Baby Boomers Start To Travel In Retirement

Aloha Kakou:

For the next 19 years, each day 11,000 Americans will turn 65.

Baby boomers have a very different idea of how to travel following retirement:

- They want to believe that they are having a unique travel experience;
- Vacations are learning experiences;
- There is an emphasis on experiential, sustainable, interactive and thematic travel;
- These travelers have a desire for discovery and educational enrichment;
- They are seeking intellectual, spiritual and physical enhancement and they are also looking for fun at the same time;
- Family and intergenerational travel is important to them.

http://www.travelweekly.com/article3_ektid225760.aspx

New Kaanapali Light Posts

Aloha Kakou:

Kaanapali resort has been working on installing new streetlights along the resorts roads. These new lights, which are much more energy efficient, are also more aesthetically pleasing than were the old aluminum standards. You can see the base of the old lamp just to the right of the new one.

Can You Stand The Excitement?!

Aloha Kakou:

You've been waiting for it with eager anticipation and today, just in time for Christmas, the new backflow diverter has been installed!

Next to the water meter near the main driveway, the backflow diverter will keep water from flowing back (hence the name) from the property into the public water lines should there be a drop in the water pressure coming into the Maui Eldorado.

More Selling At Lower Prices

Aloha Kakou:

The good news is that almost three times as many "resort residential" properties will be sold on Maui this year as compared to 2009.

The bad news is that the sales are occurring because the prices are low.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/543955/Resort-real-estate-sales-see-rebound.html?nav=10

Visitors Are Returning But They Like The Lower Rates

Aloha Kakou:

Hawaii Tourism Authority yesterday released visitor numbers for October and the mood is mixed.

Maui arrivals were up 20% compared to October, 2009, and arrivals for the state were up 13.6%. Revenue for the month was also up to $961.5 million, up almost 25% from last October. For the first ten months of the year, revenue for the state is up almost 15%.

Lower hotel rates seem to be driving the boom, with guests looking for value.

"I love numbers like this; however, it's mainly a volume recovery," said David Carey, president and chief executive officer of Outrigger Enterprises Group. "Even with the increases, spending is still well below peak levels."

"We've got more people and that's good, but we've also got more expenses," Carey said. "Our margins are still being squeezed."

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/543485/-Cautious-optimism--for-tourism-industry.html?nav=10

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20101201_Tourism_rises_in_isles.html

It's Curtains For Curtains

Aloha Kakou:

If you are thinking about remodeling your bathroom, you may want to consider a commercial-quality shower door instead of a curtain. Glass is latest bathroom trend these days, making the shower area lighter and brighter for guests.

http://www.hotelinteractive.com/article.aspx?articleid=18861

Hotel Defects Negatively Affect RevPAR

Aloha Kakou:

I know you're tired of hearing me carp on upgrades, but I've found a study that reinforces the notion that the fewer defects found in a lodging property, the higher the revenue. Note that this study takes into account the entire property and not individual units. Also note that, while the study does have some age, I would expect that today's more demanding guest would make for an even greater RevPAR loss.

Here are some of the salient parts of the article:

Financial performance is affected by higher quality in two ways: (1) firms can charge a premium price and (2) firms can increase market share. Although quality does not always have a direct impact on return on investment (ROI), the increase on market share may indirectly influence ROI.

Having even a single defect seemed to cost the hotels money. For example, in February 1990, hotels with at least one defect in the exterior had a RevPAR of $3.12 less than hotels with no defects in the exterior. Hotels with at least one defect in the guest room had a RevPAR of $2.01 less than hotels with no defects in the guest room. Hotels with at least one defect in the guest bath had a RevPAR of $1.32 less than hotels with no defects in the guest bath.

The RevPAR for the deficient hotels was consistently lower than that of the not-deficient hotels for all six test periods.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/79382266.html

A Bldg Parking Lot Improvements

Aloha Kakou:

The slab was poured this week for the new rubbish bin enclosure in the A building parking area. The cement block will be used to create a six foot high wall around the edge of the slab. The block will then be covered with stucco. The storm drain near the stairs has also been relocated.

Use Declaration Due

Aloha Kakou:

The attached letter from Scott Teruya of the County of Maui will explain the Maui Eldorado's deadline to report usage of your unit. All Maui county condo associations must file their report with the county by December 1, 2010. According to the letter, "failure to submit the annual Condominium AOAO Declaration report by December 1 may result in units within the project being classified according to their “highest and best” legal use, " which, in the case of the Maui Eldorado, means all units would be taxed at the hotel property tax rate.

Final Aoao Cover Generic

Maui Hotel Revenues Up But Not Like Before

Aloha Kakou:

Maui hotels have seen an increase in revenues in 2010 compared to last year. That's the good news. The bad news is that revenues are still off by 20% compared to 2007.

For the first nine months of 2010, occupancy is 68.9%, compared to 59.9% in 2009.

From the western US, the number of available airline seats has increased 12.8%. The number of available air seats from Canada has increased by 39% for the first nine months of 2010.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/542947/Hotel-industry-continues-to-recover.html?nav=10

Small Parking Lot Work

Aloha Kakou:

Sam and his crew have begun work on some changes to the A building parking lot. They are building an enclosure for the rubbish and recycling bins as well as redoing the drain area near the steps.

J207's Done; K113 Still Working

Aloha Kakou:

Unit J207 has been completed, as you can see by the photos below, which will clearly maintain it's A rating. And they're still working on K113, which will be an A when it's finished.

J207 - Entry with new 18" travertine tiles.

J207 - Guest washcloset. Note the inset tile border.

J207 - Guest dressing room dresser and mirrored closet doors.

J207 - Guest dressing room with granite counter and undermount sink.
Note comfort height toilet in the washcloset.

J207 - Travertine kitchen floor.

J207 - Master dressing room. New vanity with granite top.

J207 - Master dressing room closet and dresser.

J207 - Previously done master wash closet.

K200 - Granite kitchen counters.

K200 - Closeup of glass tile backsplash.

K200 - Master vanity with shaker style doors.

K200 - An alternate approach to that dressing room dresser.

K200 - Guest dressing room vanity with glass tile backsplash.

K200 - Guest washcloset bathtub with one piece granite ledge.

2011 Travel Trends Survey

Aloha Kakou:

Nearly 50% of travelers will consider a vacation rental as lodging on their next trip, according to a recent TripAdvisor traveller survey.

The same number, 47%, will consider a property's eco-friendliness, including carbon footprint and green policies when looking at a hotel for their vacation stay.

Rising airfares accounted for 40% of the traveler's major concerns for 2011, with bedbugs running second at 20%.

http://www.hotelsmag.com/MembersOnly/webNews/details.aspx?item=19651

Visitors, Spending Up

Aloha Kakou:

Maui's arrivals and visitor spending were both up for the first nine months of 2010 as compared to the same period last year.

Visitor spending was up 18.8% to $2.2 billion and arrivals were up 12.6% to 1.658 million.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/542571/Tourism-rebound-apparent-in-report.html?nav=10

K200's Progress

Aloha Kakou:

Judging by the noise coming from K200 this last week, it sounded as though progress was being made and, as you can see by today's pictures, the unit is coming along nicely.

K200 - Master dressing room - paint is finished, vanity installed, awaiting shower tiling, vanity counter top and fixtures.

K200 - Master bedroom - There's no progress without tools and dust!

K200 - A portion of the dividing door with obscure glass between the master bedroom and the living room.

K200 - Kitchen waiting for counter tops and trim.

K200 - Raised panel doors have a more upscale appearance and add more interest than did the old flat doors.

K200 - Guest dressing room vanity.

K200 - Front door as viewed from guest bedroom. Note tile work in progress.

Today's Maui Eldorado Real Estate Listing

Aloha Kakou:

Here is today's list of what's for sale and for how much.

Maui Eldorado 2661 Kekaa Drive Maui HI 96761
Current Active Listings 11/4/2010

J-211 Studio $279,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext.533 / Cell 808-250-5948
I-203 Studio $299,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext 533/ Cell 808-250-5948
J-109 Studio $349,500 LH Nancy Montoya Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext.518/ 808-250-5073
C-202 1B/1B $385,000 LH Derek Escalera Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext.229 / Cell 808-264-4617
C-102 1B/1B $385,000 LH Betty Sakamoto Sakamoto Properties
669-0070 / Cell 808-870-7062
G-105 1B/2B $390,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext.533 / Cell 808-250-5948
D-206 1B/2B $395,000 LH Fred Haywood Realty
579-8848/ Cell 808-870-4904
I-201 1B/1B $398,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext 533/ Cell 808-250-5948
J-120 Studio $399,000 LH Anastasia Tagayuna Prudential Maui Realtors
661-5200 / Cell
K-202 1B/2B $408,000 LH Thomas Brozozowski Roos Realty Inc.
667-9163/ Cell 808-280-0113
C-201 Studio $425,000 LH Joline Dorner Lowson and Associates
661-8771 / Cell 808-276-9015
K-100 2B/2B $590,000 LH Robert J Cartwright Whalers Realty Inc.
661-8777 ext 223
A-211 2B/2B $875,000 LH Susan C DeLoria Whalers Realty Inc
661-8777 ext.533 / Cell 808-250-5948
I-204 2/2B $1,195,000 LH Casey Fukuda Sakamoto Properties Inc.
669-0070 / Cell 808-264-5362

G102's Done

Aloha Kakou:

The first phase of renovation of G102 is complete and ready for guests. The bathtub was replaced with a shower, a new vanity with mirror was installed, a new bedspread, sofabed and side chair were added, lighting valances were built in the living room and the entire unit received a new porcelain tile floor and a new coat of paint. The entire unit looks fresh and is ready to receive guests.

Renovation by Dan Hoffman (808-669-2562)

Furniture from Sharon at Mind's Eye (MindsEyeInterior.com)

Art from Christopher Egan Galleries (christopheregangalleries.com)

G102 - New vanity with undermount sink, mirror with frame and lightbar.

G102 - New 18" porcelain tile floors will be much more durable than the old ceramic tile.

G102 - Shower showing new tile surround, hardware and decorative tile insert.

G102 - A no-sand grout covering the usual sanded grout between the glass blocks in the shower means a more polished, easier to clean surface.

G102 - New art. This artist utilizes a special pearlized crystal photographic substrate in conjunction with a proprietary metal and lexan face-mounting process to create these striking images.

G102 - This picture of Makena Beach says "Maui" in a high-impact way!

G102 - Overall view of living room. Note the lighting valance and crown moulding.

G102 - Overall view of dining area toward kitchen.

Lahaina Halloween Attendance Down Again; Paia Up

Aloha Kakou:

With around only 8000 folks in Lahaina for Halloween this year, the Mardi Gras of the Pacific hardly lived up to it's nickname.

On the other side of the island, however, Paia picked up some of the slack, even though there was some rain during the evening.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/542453/Paia-merchants-note-more-holiday-revelers.html?nav=10

Friday's Upgrade Update

Aloha Kakou:

Work is continuing on K200 and J207 as you can see below. When both are finished, you can be sure they'll be A's.

K200 - Kitchen area following painting.

K200 - Master bathroom shower.

K200 - You can't tile without the appropriate tools.

K200 - Travertine-look porcelain tiles will cover the floor throughout the unit.

J207 - Master dressing room closet and built-in dresser.

J207 - Master dressing room vanity with valance removed and can lights installed.

J207 - Guest bathtub. Note the one piece stone ledge instead of multiple tiles to make the area more water resistant.

J207 - Guest dressing area with built-in dresser.

Show Us The LUV

Aloha Kakou:

Could it be true that Southwest is considering adding Hawaii to their routes? We'll know by the end of the year.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20101029_Southwest_sizes_up_isles_for_new_route.html

Aloha Kakou:

This Outrigger Condominium Collection ad appeared in September's San Diego magazine. That's the Outrigger Maui Eldorado in the upper left corner.

M&C San Diego September 2010

TravelAge West Ad

Aloha Kakou:

This ad for the Outrigger Condominium Collection appeared in the September 13th edition of TravelAge West magazine, a trade publication for travel agents. The large picture is of unit J207 at the Outrigger Maui Eldorado.

M&C TravelAge West Sep 13

Friday's Renovation Update

Aloha Kakou:

Renovations are continuing nicely in the three units that are currently undergoing construction. When completed, all three of these units will be A's. Will your unit look this nice?

J207 - Master dressing room closet with florescent valance removed.

J207 - Master dressing room dresser area with dresser removed.

J207 - New travertine kitchen floor tile.

J207 - New travertine floor tile - guest bathroom vanity area.

K200 - Newly painted guest vanity area.

K200 - Newly painted entry hall awaits flooring.

K200 - Kitchen painting progress.

K200 - Master vanity/bathroom painting progress.

K200 - Living room looking toward the kitchen with new paint.

G102 - Shower

G102 - Living area valance and new dining table light.