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!

Demand Strong But Fear Remains

Aloha Kakou:

Despite Maui's overall lower occupancy numbers, there still remains the desire by mainland folks to visit the island.

The Executive Director of the Maui Visitor's Bureau said, "People want to come (to Maui)" following her recent extensive marketing tours on the Mainland.

Joseph Toy, president of Hospitality Advisors, said, "It is notable that despite the fall in the market, we continue to remain competitive both in the U.S. market as well as other island destinations."

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/525612.html?nav=10

Alaska Air Lands At Kahului

Aloha Kakou:

Monday marked the start of Alaska Air's nonstop service from Oakland. The flights will arrive on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/525615.html?nav=10

Making More Views

Aloha Kakou:

Yesterday the tree trimmers were at work on the autograph trees around D, E and F buildings. A little off the top and, voila, instant partial ocean view!

September Occupancy Up, Spending Down

Aloha Kakou:

Hawaii's hotel occupancy was up in September, the first time in more than a year that year-over-year numbers increased.

The cost of that occupancy came at the expense of room rates, with hotels having to offer reduced rates to attract guests. And guests who do come are spending less money on more discretionary items, such as dining out and activities.

Maui hotels continued to report declines in occupancy and average daily rate, falling 1.0 percentage point and 14.6 percent, respectively, Joseph Toy of Hospitality Advisors said.


Demand for the luxury regions of Wailea and Lahaina-Ka'anapali-Kapalua experienced a slight uptick in September 2009 compared to the prior year.

Don't forget that you can get the most recent hotel occupancy data by clicking on the Hawaii Hotel Occupancy link on the right.

http://www.starbulletin.com/business/businessnews/20091109_isle_hotels_see_more_rooms_filled.html
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20091109/BUSINESS02/911090314/Hotel+occupancy+up+in+September

More On OTAs & Taxes

Aloha Kakou:

The Attorney General of Florida, Bill McCollum, said tuesday that the state would file lawsuits against against the two largest Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) to recover unpaid taxes on the difference between the travel agency's net rate and the rate those agencies ultimately charged the consumer.

"The customer is paying the tax already," said McCollum, who is running for governor in 2010. "Orbitz and Expedia are not remitting to the state all the taxes they have collected."

"The decision to file a lawsuit will hurt the interest of millions of travelers and tourism workers in Florida," said Andrew Weinstein, spokesman for the Washington-based Industry Travel Services Association. "It will make it more expensive for visitors to come to the state."

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jLLh9RsaCtGJT7bzkLP5fxazSRGwD9BOD2MO0

Aloha Kakou:

According to Forbes Travel, Hawaii is the number one honeymoon destination for American newlyweds.

http://www.forbestraveler.com/best-lists/most-popular-honeymoons-slide.html?partner=msnbc

Lucky G Building Owners

Aloha Kakou:

The painting of G building was scheduled to take two weeks, but it seems no one told the painters! They finished up the brush work today, about a week ahead of schedule. While the painters wanted to move on to H building, they will instead next week be working on some handrails in H & J buildings (ahead of schedule) and touching up in buildings where the majority of the painting has been completed.