Hauoli Makahiki Hou!

Aloha Dear Owners, Friends and Readers:

This year, the cry of Happy New Year brings with it a certain relief that tumultuous 2008 is finally behind us.

The upcoming year has yet to come into focus. When I asked about what kind of year 2009 would be, the Magic 8 Ball told me, "Reply hazy, try again." (You might have better luck: http://www.mattelgamefinder.com/demos.asp?demo=mb) Will 2009 be a dream or a nightmare? We'll just have to spin the wheel and see where it lands.

In this interim period of calm between the certainties of the last year and the vagaries of the next, please allow me to wax philosophic for a moment.

Since taking over the General Manager position here, it has been my pleasure to renew old acquaintances and to form new ones. It was a big step to sit in the GM chair, one for which I had been preparing for years. When I arrived back here 10 months ago, we were at the height of the good times with record revenues and ADRs. Today, I'm sure I don't have to tell you, we've been through many months of lean times.

I understand you are hurting financially. I too am feeling the strain of the current economic woes. I have cut our budget to adjust to the times. Housekeepers work only when there is sufficient occupancy to support the number of employees on the schedule. Most days, bellmen schedules have been reduced from 16 hours to 10 hours a day. Angie's position in Housekeeping has been eliminated. And, last week, Kanani retired.

I am working on a revision of our 2009 rates to the Outrigger Maui Eldorado more attractive to Maui visitors. I am taking advantage of every opportunity to get the Outrigger Maui Eldorado name in print (we just booked a travel writer with the Australian Associated Press who will be staying with us for 3 days in January). I am in the midst of an email campaign to remind past guests that we're still here and that we would love to see them again. My goal for 2009 is to get more money in your pockets. Will my plans work to make 2009 a better year than 2008? Can we spur additional occupancy? Are these attempts at gaining additional occupancy even worth it? Frankly, I don't know. But I have to try.

And, last but by no means least, I want to say Thank You. Thank you to all of you who have honored me with your respect. Thank you for your kind words, your understanding, your patience, your friendship. Thank you for understanding that we are partners linked together here at the Maui Eldorado and that our fortunes rise or fall together.

So raise your glass and toast 2009. What comes, comes. Regardless of the circumstances, may we together have the wisdom, intelligence, humor and optimism to make this next year a success.

Globe Trotter Guide Book Entry

Aloha Kakou:

In June, the writer, editor and photographer for Globe Trotter Guidebooks stopped by to take a look at the Outrigger Maui Eldorado. Globe Trotter is a hugely successful Japanese guidebook company that writes strictly for a Japanese audience. I had asked the Globe Trotter crew to send me a book when it was finally published and that book arrived on my desk last week. The book takes in the entire island of Maui and, aside from some of the obvious "Japaneseisms", includes a section called Condominium Life which is dedicated to explaining things like how to work the stove and how to fold out the sofa bed.

Here's the Outrigger Maui Eldorado's page. A translation follows.

This 001

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Travel globe trotter entry

Outrigger Maui Eldorado

A condo located on the fairway and facing the ocean

A cottage-style condominium located within the Kaanapali resort. Twelve 2-story buildings are situated within the Kaanapali Golf Course. Guests can enjoy the greens of the golf course, coconut trees and blooming plumerias from the window, giving them a serene feeling of a resort atmosphere. The property was built in 1969, but the interior and kitchen are neatly maintained from multiple renovations. The spacious kitchen, coordinated in white, is fully equipped with large refrigerator, microwave, dish washer, coffee maker, and other electrical equipment making it easy to use.

A major hotel group, Outrigger, has taken over the management from 1997. Information is now available in Japanese, and guests can also make reservations in Japanese.

The Whaler's Village is 3 minutes away from the property by free shuttle bus within the resort. Guests can also enjoy barbeque at the recreation deck facing the ocean.

The notes by the photos are explanation of the units - mostly saying the same thing as above.

Photo #1: cottage-style unit surrounded by golf course; guests can fully enjoy the resort atmosphere
Photo #2: room interior varies by units but all bedrooms and living rooms provide relaxing space

Mele Kalikimaka!

Aloha Kakou:

How else would you expect Santa to arrive on Maui?

May you have the merriest of Christmases!

And now, here's a little tune to remind you of Christmas in that place that's near and dear to your heart - Hit it! http://www.dltk-holidays.com/Xmas/hawaiian.html

Edmonton, Alberta Ad

Aloha Kakou:

This ad mentioning the Outrigger Maui Eldorado is appearing in the Edmonton Journal from 12/22-28. Westjet is a Canadian airline with service from Vancouver to Maui. Westjet Vacations is their wholesale division.

The rate of CN$1572 per person is equivalent to US$1177 and is for 5 nights in a garden view studio, including round trip airfare.

A Hard-Edged Holiday Tale

Aloha Kakou:

Arnie Weissmann is the editor in chief of Travel Weekly magazine. He wrote this editorial about the current economy. I like his quote that "These times call for a blend of hopefulness and hard-edged business judgement." You may also like the lesson and quote he mentions from restaurateur Danny Meyer.

The article is on page 12.

http://travelweekly.texterity.com/travelweekly/20081222/

AOL/Orbitz Listing

Aloha Kakou:

AOL travel has a section on best deals in travel:

http://travel.aol.com/discount-travel?ncid=AOLCOMMtravdynlprim0337

As you can see by the link, Hawaii is listed as their top pick.

And, when you follow the "Travel by Land" link, you are taken to Orbitz's Featured Hotel Offers, where the Outrigger Maui Eldorado is listed right there, on the first page:

http://www.orbitz.com/App/PerformMDLPDealsContent?deal_id=HI&cnt=PRO

Hawaii's November Occupancy Down 16%

Aloha Kakou:

Occupancy statewide was down about 16% for the month of November.

When accounting for Hawaii’s top four visitor markets, air arrivals from the western U.S. last month dropped 18 percent, with eastern U.S. arrivals down 14.4 percent, compared with November 2007.

Japanese arrivals fell as well, down 20.3 percent, and the decline in the Canadian dollar impacted arrivals from that country with a decline of 7.1 percent.

http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2008/12/15/daily69.html