Southwest To Hawaii

Aloha Kakou: When Southwest Airlines takes delivery of it's first 737-800's next January, it is possible that the airline will consider Hawaii as a destination. See the quote from David Carey, president and CEO of Outrigger Enterprises Group, at the end of the article. http://www.staradvertiser.com/business/20110418__Isles_within_reach.html

Maui Home Prices Stay Low

Aloha Kakou: Home prices on Maui continue to stay low as short sales and foreclosures weigh down market prices. During the first quarter of 2011, only 28 condos were sold in Kaanapali as compared to 82 for the first quarter of 2010. The average Kaanapali condo price was $872,095 and the median price was $670,000. Keep in mind these prices include condos in the oceanfront properties of the Whaler and the Alii as well as in the new Honua Kai. http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/548259/Distressed-properties-keep-Maui----.html

How Big Is Your TV?

Aloha Kakou: Hotel room televisions are getting larger as price and energy consumption both drop. Many properties are now converting their sets to 37 inches. http://www.buyerinteractive.com/buyer/article.aspx?articleid=20320

February Visitor Numbers Up

Aloha Kakou: February's average daily room rate increased $21 this year, up to $257 compared to last year. Occupancy was also up to 83.5%, compared to last February's 77.7%. Maui's number of Canadian visitors was up almost 20% this year as compared to 2010. While the state as a whole will be affected by declining visitor numbers due to Japan's crises, Maui and the Outrigger Maui Eldorado will not be greatly impacted as the number of visitors from that country has always been a very small part (about 5%) of the overall visitor picture. http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/547984/February-visitor-count-goes-up-again-but------.html?nav=10

United Changes Frequent Flyer Program

Aloha Kakou: In conjunction with it's merger with Continental, United is making some changes to it's frequent flyer program beginning June 15. The changes are announced on United's website. Upgrades to Hawaii will now cost fewer dollars and more miles, 17,000 to 25,000 each way plus $125. http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/united-quietly-rolls-out-mileage-program-changes-for-june-%e2%80%94-too-quietly/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tripso+%28Consumertraveler.com%29

State, Island Rates & Occupancy Up

Aloha Kakou: Visitor industry metrics were up for the month ending March 23, with Maui’s 80.6 percent occupancy rate up 5.4 percentage points compared to the same week in 2010. Rates were also up on Maui; $266.39 was 14.6% higher than last year. http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/04/01/hawaii-hotels-see-more-guests-as-rates.html

Do You Want To Buy A Hotel?

Aloha Kakou: The Kapalua Ritz Carlton goes on the block in May as the result of foreclosure. I don't know how much of a deal you could get with $263 million outstanding debt. http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/03/28/ritz-carlton-in-kapalua-to-be-sold-at.html