Bon Dance

Aloha Kakou:

Yesterday, the first bon dance of the season was held at the Lahaina Shingon Mission. The bon dance season runs now through the end of August, with a dance scheduled every Friday or Saturday (or, in the case of the larger Missions like the one behind my home, both Friday and Saturday).

The bon dance originated in Japan and was brought here along with Japanese plantation workers in the late 1800s. The dances honor and remember the Buddhist's departed ancestors.

Like any church festival, there's always plenty of homemade food. Unlike church festivals I remember, there's plenty of music and ritual dancing - many of the women dance in highly decorated kimonos. There's also the chance to make new friends while you mingle with the locals. I highly recommend you check out a dance if you're here during the summer. These events aren't on any tourist's map, making them just that much more authentic.

http://www.mauitime.com/Articles-i-2009-06-04-69769.113117_Bon_Dance_Past_Present_Future.html

That's Why They're Called Islands

Aloha Kakou:

Try not to laugh too hard at some of these amazing tourist questions. Believe me, we've heard all of these at the front desk. My personal favorite, though, was the woman who stormed out of the Outrigger Maui Eldorado lobby, angry because no one would show her on her map how to drive to Pearl Harbor!

http://www.tripso.com/today/real-questions-tourists-ask-about-hawaii/

Quote Of The Day

Aloha Kakou:

"A hotel should exceed your experience at home," says Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader for W Hotels, in discussing hotel amenities. See her entire, short interview here:

http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2009_2nd/Jun09_EZeigler.html

Outrigger Maui Eldorado Promotion

Aloha Kakou:

The following is a page from our wholesale partner ATI's brochure that was both printed and emailed to their travel agent customer base at this year's pow-wow in Miami. Don't flip out at the rate - it's per person based on double occupancy.
Summer Nights Web WEST

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Brochures & Catalogs vacation hotel

"If You Want It Stolen, Put Your Logo On It"

Aloha Kakou:

When is it permissible to take those little items from a hotel? Here at the Outrigger Maui Eldorado, we don't refill shampoo and lotion and I fully expect to replace our branded pens and notepads. And we do provide those plastic bags with our logo for laundry or wet items - I certainly don't want those back! Check out this somewhat humorous article about what people take from hotels. At least some of them have a conscience!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31046570/

Hotel Occupancy Link

Aloha Kakou:


I've added a new link to the "Links You Might Enjoy" section. The Hawaii Hotel Occupancy link is from the Honolulu Advertiser and is updated every Monday. The chart summarizes ADR and occupancy for each island and for the state.

April's Occupancy Reaches Record Low

Aloha Kakou:

One of these days, I'll have good news regarding Hawaii hotel occupancy. Today, however, is not the day.

April's 64.1% state-wide occupancy was the lowest recorded for April since they started keeping track in 1987. Maui's 59% was the lowest ever recorded for the Valley Isle, even after 9/11.

The one bright spot, said Hospitality Advisors President and CEO Joseph Toy, is the state's occupancy rates are still better than many other visitor destinations. "Nationally, this is happening, it's not just Hawai'i."


http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090601/NEWS01/906010345
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/hawaiinews/20090601_no_fast_hotel_recovery_seen.html
http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/519190.html?nav=10