Kauai HI

Kauai, Hawaii Vacations and Rentals by Suite Paradise - Accommodations at Kauai condos and resorts Specializing in Kauai, Hawaii vacation rentals , condos and vacation homes at some of the most beautiful resorts in Hawaii, Suite Paradise welcomes you to the islands. Each vacation package features high quality accommodations carefully selected and meticulously maintained by Suite Paradise -- at deeply discounted rates. View sample rate guides for each accommodation, and for even greater savings , click on the book online link to check availability or make a reservation. As a Suite Paradise guest, you'll enjoy the carefree resort lifestyle for which Kauai hotels are famous, along with the extra privacy and spaciousness of a vacation rental or home. Book online now for our lowest rates! or call 1-800-367-8020 | 1-808-742-7400 International Toll-Free Phone Numbers Inquiries & Brochure Request Poipu Beach on Kauai, Hawaii's sunny south shore Suite Paradise focuses on providing fine Kauai, Hawaii vacation accommodations at Poipu Beach , rated one of America's top beaches. Guests have access to discount travel packages , low-cost airfare, rental cars, Kauai golf resorts , outdoor adventure activities and groceries delivered prior to arrival . Our vacation rentals are highly recommended by travelers. Over 50% of guests are returning visitors and their friends, indicating an astounding level of satisfaction. See what previous guests have to say about their Kauai, Hawaii vacation experience Heavenly Kauai, Hawaii Vacations for Less Poipu Kai Resort Kiahuna Plantation Nihi Kai Villas Whaler's Cove Poipu Crater Resort Poipu Shores Poipu Kapili Lawai Beach Resort About Kauai Activities Kauai's Beaches Golf Weddings Honeymoon Map of Kauai Map of Poipu Beach Special Offers Guest Services Things to do on Kauai Guides & Info About Us Terms & Conditions Testimonials Inquiries & Brochure Request Contact Us About Suite Paradise | Email Us | Inquires & Brochure Request | Privacy Policy | Site Map © 1998 - 2004. All Rights Reserved. Suite Paradise - High quality Kauai vacations - Fine beach resorts. Everyone welcome.

Maui windsurfing source! We

Maui Surf Shop | Kiteboards | Windsurfing Maui Surf Shop, Kiteboards, Windsurfing, Dive & Snorkel Send to Friend Bookmark Online Store Open Home Kite Boarding Windsurfing Surfing Maui Travel Contact Us "I recommend Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport to anyone who is looking for the best windsurfing experience on Maui!" Aloha, Robby Naish Since 1983, Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport has been the benchmark of quality and service for Maui windsurfers from around the world. We specialize in catering to every windsurfer's needs, from the beginner tothe most advanced Maui sailors. Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport is your Maui windsurfing source! We have the largest selection of retail and rental gear , and we can coordinate your whole Maui windsurfing vacation with our in-house travel department. Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport makes it EASY! We can provide top-of-the-line gear rental, windsurfing lessons, and much more! Traveling with non-windsurf family members or friends…No Problem! We can provide surfboards, boogie boards, skimboards, snorkel equipment, swimming accessories and Hawaiian Island is Maui's leader in Windsurfing! Accessories | Boards | Harnesses | Lessons | Board Rentals | Accessories Rentals | Sail Rentals Home Kite Boarding Windsurfing Surfing Maui Travel Contact Us Hawaiian Island Surf & Sport • 415 Dairy Road • Kahului, HI 96732 • ph (808) 871.4981 • fax (808) 871.4624 • toll free 1.800.231.6958 • info@hawaiianisland.com © 2005 | Site Map | Links

Hawaiian Music: Bands and

Hawaiian Music/Bands and Artists/Israel Kamakawiwoole and Hawaii: Hawaiian Music: Bands and Artists: Israel Kamakawiwoole Hawaii : Hawaiian Music: Bands and Artists: Israel Kamakawiwoole • LINK TO US • ADD A LINK • RANDOM LINK • HOME • • LISTENNOW • WHAT'SPLAYING? • Looking for something in particular? THIS SITE The Web Listen LIVE to Hawaiian Music! What's Playing? Link To Us Somewhere Over the Rainbow Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Over the Rainbow Your host, Rich Shipley Browse Island Categories: Hawaiian Music Hawaii - All Islands Big Island Kauai Lanai Leeward Islands Maui Molokai Oahu Hawaii : Hawaiian Music : Bands and Artists : Israel Kamakawiwoole Adda Link to this Category >> Click Here to Listen to Hawaiian Music Now << Pages: 1 2 [] "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Listen > Click Here . Facing Future Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's 1993 CD "Facing Future" includes the medley "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" which has been heard in numerous movies, television shows and commercials. Israel - better known as "Bruddah Iz" or "Iz" - who passed away in 1997, was far more than an entertainer. He was loved deeply by all the people of Hawaii. In a sense, he was a living hero in the Islands, and upon his death he was given the profound honor of lying in state in the capital rotunda in Honolulu so that his thousands of loyal fans could pay their loving last respects. Today, his legacy lives on through his music. Israel "Iz" Kamakawiwo'ole Memorial Tribute Hawaiian Music Site A Memorial tribute entitled "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". May 20, 1959 - June 26, 1997 "Hawaiian Music Legends" In Memory of Israel "IZ" his Life, Songs and Lyrics...Special artcles, links, stories and his Music CDs with free MP3 downloads. http://1800sunstar.com/sitesR/H_listen/offscan/IZ/00izmemorial.html details Aloha `oe Israel Tribute, discography, news articles, and autobiography. http://www.mele.com/Farewell/tribute.htm details Bradda Israel Kamakawiwo'ole A tribute page with biography, photographs, and links to audio samples and related sites. http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/Vineyard/1945/iz.html details Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Iz Overview of the artist's career and reviews of his works. http://starbulletin.com/97/07/04/features/index.html details Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Izzy's Latest Disc Showcases his Versatility A review of his fourth solo album. http://starbulletin.com/97/01/24/features/stuffs.html details In Loving Memory - Israel Kamakawiwo`ole Newsletter, brief biography and discography, memory guestbook, and links. http://www.e-hawaii.com/iz/default.htm details Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, IZ, Hawaiian Supaman Biography with photographs. http://home.earthlink.net/~homeyrf/izbio.html details Israel Kamakawiwo`ole Memorial Page Obituaries and album information. http://smi-web.stanford.edu/people/kxl/Iz.html details IZ - the Man and his Music Hawaiian language lyrics and translations of Iz: The Man and His Music, and links. http://www.geocities.com/~olelo/iz-themanandhismusic.html details Memorial to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Memories and photographs. http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/tollington/72/iz.htm details Pages: 1 2 [] Hawaii : Hawaiian Music: Bands and Artists: Israel Kamakawiwoole • LINK TO US • ADD A LINK • RANDOM LINK • HOME • • LISTENNOW • WHAT'SPLAYING? • Maui | Maui Vacation | Maui Hotels | Maui Condos | Maui Bed Breakfast | Maui Vacation Rentals | Maui Real Estate | Maui Maps | Maui Pictures | Maui Weddings | Maui Condo Rental | Maui Activities | Maui Car Rental | Maui Snorkeling | Hawaii | HawaiiHotels | HawaiiBed Breakfast | HawaiiVacation Rentals | HawaiiReal Estate | HawaiiMaps | HawaiiPictures | HawaiiCondo Rental | HawaiiActivities | BigIsland | BigIsland Hotels | BigIsland Bed Breakfast | BigIsland Vacation Rentals | BigIsland Real Estate | BigIsland Maps | BigIsland Pictures | BigIsland Activities | BigIsland Snorkeling | BigIsland Camping and RVs | Kauai | KauaiHotels | KauaiBed Breakfast | KauaiVacation Rentals | KauaiReal Estate | KauaiMaps | KauaiPictures | KauaiWeddings | KauaiActivities | KauaiCar Rental | KauaiSnorkeling | Molokai | MolokaiVacation Rentals | MolokaiReal Estate | MolokaiWeddings | Oahu | OahuHotels | OahuBed Breakfast | OahuVacation Rentals | OahuReal Estate | OahuMaps | OahuPictures | OahuWeddings | OahuActivities | OahuScuba Diving | FijiTravel HawaiianRainbow.com - Powered By Aloha What are thumbshots?

Lahaina, Hawaii Back to

Lahaina, Hawaii (HI) Detailed Profile - travel and real estate info, jobs, hotels, hospitals, weather, schools, crime, ... Lahaina, Hawaii Back to Hawaii big cities , HI smaller cities , HI small cities , All Cities . Submit pictures of this city Current weather forecast for Lahaina, HI Population (year 2000): 9,118 Males: 4,738 (52.0%), Females: 4,380 (48.0%) Elevation: 20 feet County: Maui Land area: 5.8 square miles Zip codes: 96761 . Median resident age: 36.0 years Median household income: $52,984 (year 2000) Median house value: $259,400 (year 2000) Lahaina, HI residents, houses, and apartments details Races in Lahaina: Filipino (30.7%) White Non-Hispanic (24.7%) Two or more races (17.5%) Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander (9.8%) Japanese (8.7%) Hispanic (7.1%) Other race (2.2%) American Indian (1.9%) Other Asian (1.7%) Chinese (1.0%) Vietnamese (0.9%) (Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races) Ancestries: German (4.3%), English (4.2%), Irish (3.0%), United States (2.2%), French (2.0%), Portuguese (1.8%). New! Lahaina, Hawaii forum For population 25 years and over in Lahaina High school or higher: 78.8% Bachelor's degree or higher: 16.8% Graduate or professional degree: 2.9% Unemployed: 4.4% Mean travel time to work: 13.9 minutes For population 15 years and over in Lahaina CDP Never married: 36.5% Now married: 49.0% Separated: 1.0% Widowed: 5.3% Divorced: 8.2% 27.8% Foreign born (23.4% Asia, 2.9% Latin America). Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Honolulu, HI (84.4 miles , pop. 371,657). Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Los Angeles, CA (2785.3 miles , pop. 3,694,820). Nearest cities: Kaanapali, HI (3.4 miles ), Napili-Honokowai, HI (5.6 miles ), Kapalua, HI (7.8 miles ), Waikapu, HI (11.5 miles ), Wailuku, HI (11.9 miles ), Waihee-Waiehu, HI (11.9 miles ), Maalaea, HI (13.7 miles ), Kahului, HI (14.2 miles ). Latitude: 20.89 N, Longitude: 156.67 W Lahaina, Hawaii business data: stores, dealers, real estate agents, wholesalers, restaurants... Industries providing employment: Arts,entertainment,recreation,accommodation and food services (46.5%), Retail trade (13.6%). Daytime population change due to commuting: +2,006 (+22.0%) Workers who live and work in this city: 2,256 (49.5%) Average climate in Lahaina, Hawaii Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations Back to the top Hospitals/medical centers near Lahaina: MAUI MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 12 miles; WAILUKU, HI) LANAI COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; LANAI CITY, HI) KULA HOSPITAL (about 26 miles; KULA, HI) Political contributions by individuals in Lahaina, HI Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Lahaina: KAPALUA (about 5 miles; LAHAINA, HI; ID: JHM) KAHULUI (about 18 miles; KAHULUI, HI; ID: OGG) LANAI (about 21 miles; LANAI CITY, HI; ID: LNY) Other public-use airports nearest to Lahaina: KALAUPAPA (about 30 miles; KALAUPAPA, HI; ID: LUP) MOLOKAI (about 34 miles; KAUNAKAKAI, HI; ID: MKK) HANA (about 48 miles; HANA, HI; ID: HNM) College/University in Lahaina: INSTITUTE OF BODY THERAPEUTICS (Location: BOX 11634; Private, for-profit) Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Lahaina: KAPIOLANI COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 83 miles; HONOLULU, HI; Full-time enrollment: 4,131) UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA (about 85 miles; HONOLULU, HI; FT enrollment: 14,113) HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY (about 87 miles; HONOLULU, HI; FT enrollment: 6,186) HONOLULU COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 88 miles; HONOLULU, HI; FT enrollment: 2,787) LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 97 miles; PEARL CITY, HI; FT enrollment: 3,511) BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY-HAWAII CAMPUS (about 102 miles; LAIE, HI; FT enrollment: 2,273) UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO (about 136 miles; HILO, HI; FT enrollment: 2,434) Public high school in Lahaina: LAHAINALUNA HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,000; Location: 980 LAHAINALUNA ROAD; Grades: 09 - 12) Public primary/middle schools in Lahaina: KAMEHAMEHA III ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 684; Location: 611 FRONT STREET; Grades: PK - 05) NAHIENAENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 662; Location: 816 NIHEU STREET; Grades: PK - 05) LAHAINA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL (Students: 625; Location: 871 LAHAINALUNA ROAD; Grades: 06 - 08) Private primary/middle school in Lahaina: SACRED HEARTS ELEM SCHOOL (Students: 228; Location: 239 DICKENSON STREET; Grades: KG - 8) Click to draw/clear city borders Notable locations in Lahaina: Makila (A) , Kahoma Shaft Pump (B) , Baldwin Home Museum (C) , Lahaina Civic and Recreation Center (D) , Lahaina Public Library (E) , Lahaina Whaling Museum (F) , Hale Aloha (G) , Hale Paahao (H) , Mala Mill Stack (I) , Malulu o Lele Cultural Center (J) , Pioneer Mill (K) , Masters Reading Room (L) . Display/hide their locations on the map Shopping Centers: Dickenson Square Shopping Center (1) , Old Lahaina Shopping Center (2) , Lahaina Cannery Shopping Center (3) , Lahaina Market Place Shopping Center (4) , Lahaina Square Shopping Center (5) , West Maui Shopping Center (6) . Display/hide their locations on the map Churches in Lahaina include: Community Seventh Day Adventist Church (A) , Wainee Church (B) , Wo Hing Temple (C) , Maria Lanakila Roman Catholic Church (D) , Lahaina Baptist Church (E) , Shingon Buddhist Temple (F) , Holy Innocents Episcopal Church (G) , Church of God (H) . Display/hide their locations on the map Cemeteries: Waiola Cemetery (1) , Hanakaoo Cemetery (2) , Episcopal Cemetery (3) , Seamens Cemetery (4) . Display/hide their locations on the map Reservoirs: Crater Reservoir (A) , Wahikuli Reservoir (B) . Display/hide their locations on the map Streams, rivers, and creeks: Kanaha Stream (A) . Display/hide its location on the map Parks in Lahaina include: Malu Ulu o Lele Park (1) , Kelawea Mauka III Park (2) , Wahiku Park (3) , Wahikuli State Wayside Park (4) , Paunau Terrace Park (5) , Lahaina Armory Park (6) , Lahaina Banyon Court (7) , Lahaina Historic District (8) , Waikuli Terrace Park (9) . Display/hide their locations on the map Lahaina compared to Hawaii state average: Median house value significantly above state average. Black race population percentage significantly below state average. Hispanic race population percentage above state average. Foreign-born population percentage significantly above state average. Number of rooms per house below state average. House age below state average. Number of college students below state average. Back to the top Strongest AM radio stations in Lahaina: KUAU (1570 AM; 50 kW; HAIKU, HI; Owner: FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD-KAHULUI, MAUI) KMVI (550 AM; 5 kW; WAILUKU, HI; Owner: PACIFIC RADIO GROUP,INC.) KAIM (870 AM; 50 kW; HONOLULU, HI; Owner: SALEM MEDIA OF HAWAII, INC.) KNUI (900 AM; 5 kW; KAHULUI, HI; Owner: PACIFIC RADIO GROUP, INC.) KAOI (1110 AM; 5 kW; KIHEI, HI; Owner: VISIONARY RELATED ENTERTAINMENT, INC) KORL (690 AM; 10 kW; HONOLULU, HI; Owner: NEW WAVE BROADCASTING, L.P.) KGU (760 AM; 10 kW; HONOLULU, HI; Owner: SALEM MEDIA OF HAWAII, INC.) KSSK (590 AM; 8 kW; HONOLULU, HI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) KHVH (830 AM; 10 kW; HONOLULU, HI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) KHNR (650 AM; 10 kW; HONOLULU, HI; Owner: SALEM MEDIA OF HAWAII, INC.) KLHT (1040 AM; 10 kW; HONOLULU, HI; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF HONOLULU, INC.) KHCM (940 AM; 10 kW; WAIPAHU, HI; Owner: SALEM MEDIA OF HAWAII, INC.) KIPA (620 AM; 10 kW; NAALEHU, HI; Owner: BIG ISLAND RADIO) Strongest FM radio stations in Lahaina: KPOA (93.5 FM; LAHAINA, HI; Owner: PACIFIC RADIO GROUP, INC.) KKUA (90.7 FM; WAILUKU, HI; Owner: HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO, INC.) K220HA (91.9 FM; KIHEI, HI; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.) K210CM (89.9 FM; KIHEI, HI; Owner: CALVARY CHAPEL OF TWIN FALLS, INC.) KONI (104.7 FM; LANAI CITY, HI; Owner: HOCHMAN HAWAII PUBLISHING, INC.) KLHI-FM (101.1 FM; LAHAINA, HI; Owner: PACIFIC RADIO GROUP, INC.) KNUI-FM (99.9 FM; KAHULUI, HI; Owner: PACIFIC RADIO GROUP, INC.) KJMD (98.3 FM; PUKALANI, HI; Owner: PACIFIC RADIO GROUP,INC.) KAOI-FM (95.1 FM; WAILUKU, HI; Owner: VISIONARY RELATED ENTERTAINMENT INC) KPMW (105.5 FM; HALIIMAILE, HI; Owner: REY-CEL BROADCASTING, INC.) KLHI-FM1 (101.1 FM; LAHAINA, HI; Owner: LAHAINA BROADCASTING CO., LTD) K244AG (96.7 FM; MAUI, HI; Owner: VISIONARY RELATED ENTERTAINMENT, INC) TV broadcast stations around Lahaina: K27DW (Channel 27; WAILUKU, HI; Owner: RAYCOM NATIONAL, INC.) KWHM (Channel 21; WAILUKU, HI; Owner: LESEA BROADCASTING CORPORATION) Back to the top City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site. Use at your own risk. This data has been compiled from multiple government and commercial sources. Additional information about hotels, doctors, dentists, jobs, apartments, real estate, travel attractions, weather, and many interactive features are coming soon. Please stay tuned.

Hawaiian Clothes

Honolulu Star-Bulletin Business — ADVERTISEMENT — Sunday, October 17, 2004 DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Yoshi Takahashi amuses his friends Kimi Toi and Michi Ogino with a wetsuit that's a little too small at the Xcel store in the Ward Village Shops. Hey! Big spenders New research shows just where tourists drop their money during stays in Hawaii By Allison Schaefers aschaefers@starbulletin.com ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRYANT FUKUTOMI / BFUKUTOMI@STARBULLETIN.COM China / South Korea travelers » More than 50 percent of these Asian visitors are first-timers and about a quarter of them come as part of a package tour. » Most come to visit friends or family (more than 28 percent), on business, or as part of a stopover, as stringent Visa requirements and a lack of flights has made Hawaii a difficult vacation destination. » In terms of activities, they are statistically similar to Americans, but plan to spend more money. » Most plan to attend a luau and 30 percent intend to play golf, the most of any other group surveyed. United States travelers » American travelers plan to stay longer and spend the least amount of money on retail and souvenirs. » They are most likely to engage in sports like running, scuba or going to the gym, but have the smallest percentage of people who planned to swim or sunbathe. » Americans are more likely to attend a luau, go to a Hawaiian history or cultural event and buy Hawaiian clothing and souvenirs than Japan or other Asian travelers. » They enjoy shopping at convenience stores, malls or hotel stores. They are also the most likely to go to a museum or art gallery or eat in high-end restaurants. Japan travelers » More than 60 percent of Japan travelers come to Hawaii as part of a package group. » These visitors plan to stay the least amount of time and spend the most money. » They are most likely to come to Hawaii to celebrate a wedding or honeymoon than any other group. » They are most interested in going to the beach and shopping while in Hawaii, but few plan to do any activities or eat in high-end restaurants. » They enjoy shopping across the board from outlet and discount stores to designer boutiques. While tourists from Japan and the mainland still pump plenty of money into Hawaii's retail stores, a more global mix of visitors is at the heart of Hawaii's improved tourism outlook, and their preferences are worlds apart. A new cross-cultural study from the University of Hawaii is available to help retailers take stock of what tourists buy, so local stores can match merchandise with spending habits. University of Hawaii marketing professor Mark Rosenbaum and travel industry management professor Dan Spears randomly surveyed more than 1,000 Waikiki tourists to determine cultural differences regarding their reasons for coming to Hawaii, their desire to shop and what purchases they planned to make during their stay. "Not all tourists are alike," Rosenbaum said. "Your target market should greatly impact how you merchandise and what products you stock." Hawaii's retail history gives businesses strong reasons to diversify their customer base, said retail analyst Stephany Sofos. "In the 1980s, the Japanese people came fast and furious and those who didn't cater to them were left out. Now it's changing, and as visitor groups change, retailers are having to figure out what their market is from one day to the next," Sofos said. The University of Hawaii study can help tourist-dependent businesses identify how to best keep their customers happy and how to increase spending from other visitor groups, Spears said. Their research showed that Japanese tourists plan to spend $1,400 on gifts and souvenirs during their stay in Hawaii, which is substantially more than all other visitor groups. According to the study, Chinese and Koreans spend about $750 on retail items and Americans spend around $600. They also found differences when it came to purchasing local foods, clothing and engaging in outdoor activities as well as differences in why these tourists groups were coming to Hawaii. For example, Americans and Japanese came to Hawaii primarily to vacation, while the Chinese and South Korean visitors were in Hawaii primarily to visit family members. Chinese visitors can only travel for leisure to a few designations, which does not include Hawaii. "Most Japanese will spend their vacation shopping at both high-end and discount retailers," Rosenbaum said, adding that data also confirmed the love-affair Japanese have with designer items. Nearly 60 percent of the Japanese visitors surveyed planned to visit Hawaii's designer boutiques; in contrast, only 35 percent of Americans planned to do so. However, the number of Japan travelers who plan to purchase products made in Hawaii, such as coffee, food and clothing, is lower than other groups. "The Japanese are the answer to our luxury business - not our economy," Rosenbaum said, adding that purchases of locally made products create more jobs and ultimately bring more benefit to the state. Visitors, who spend about $3 billion annually on retail goods in Hawaii, make up about 15 percent of the state's $19 billion retail market, said Carol Pregill, president of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii. The islands drew 6.4 million visitors last year, about two-thirds of them from the mainland. "Shopping is the third largest expenditure, next to food and lodging, for visitors," Pregill said, adding that about 20 percent of visitor expenditures can be attributed to shopping. "That's huge when you consider that shopping is a discretionary expense," Pregill said, and is an important part of a visitor's experience. But to make Hawaii shopping attractive to visitors it has to be distinctive, said Frank Haas, marketing director for the Hawaii Tourism Authority. "You can shop in Hong Kong and Las Vegas; what we need to know is what's distinctive about shopping in Hawaii," Haas said. As Oahu's visitor market stays strong, many retailers are going to take advantage of more visitor-based opportunities, said Jeffrey Hall, senior director of research at CB Richard Ellis. "There's huge amount of interest in redoing resort retail, especially in Waikiki," Hall said. According to market reports, Waikiki has a high number of retail vacancies, but in three to four years the sector will be more bullish as Waikiki renovation projects come to fruition, Hall forecasts. "The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is rapidly changing. The Beach Walk and the International Market Place projects are just getting under way," Hall said. "Expect that in a few years Waikiki will be an entirely different place." Any shift in visitor demographics changes the way businesses advertise their products. "It's important to know who is coming and what you need for inventory," Pregill said. "Inventory is a huge expense and no one wants to be stuck with goods that no one want to buy." That's where the Rosenbaum and Spears study comes in, said Anne Murata, marketing director of the Festival Cos., which manages the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Murata said she purchased the study because it's the first retail survey in Hawaii that breaks data into small categories such as visitors' reasons for traveling to Hawaii, ability to spend and where they spend their money. Retailers are especially interested on the data about Chinese and South Korean visitors, she said. While Chinese and Korean visitors have more in common with Americans in terms of overall spending, their spending habits are very similar to the Japanese visitor market when it was new, Murata said. In the 1990s, when the Japanese tourism boom to Hawaii was growing, the state's largest industry went to great lengths to cater to their needs. Japanese signs ruled Waikiki marketing; but then the bubble burst and retailers had to regroup to stay in business. "We've been trained to think only in terms of U.S. westbound and Japan travelers," she said. "But our retail market is becoming increasingly global and we're starting to see more travelers from China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the U.S. East." Japanese visitor arrivals to Hawaii, which peaked at 2.2 million in 1997, fell to 1.3 million last year in response to a weakened Japanese economy and geopolitical troubles. Retailers say the market has rebounded, but it's time for those eyeing Hawaii's improved market to use the isles' changing tourist patterns to help determine what's in store. Although the China travel market to Hawaii is small, representing less than 1 percent of Hawaii's total visitors in 2002, state officials have identified it as a market with enormous potential. New research shows that Chinese tourists are now the biggest spenders in the Asia-Pacific region by average credit card transaction size, according to a study released by Visa. The report, published last week in the Financial Times, said Chinese cardholders on average spent $253 per transaction while traveling. The World Tourism Organization has also estimated that China will produce 100 million outbound tourists by 2020 and members of Hawaii's public and private sector want their share. "Just like we geared retail to the Japan market in its heyday, someday I expect we'll see retail signs in Chinese and Korean, too," Murata said. According to the Rosenbaum and Spears survey, the Chinese, enjoy participating in new activities, but look for familiarity in restaurants - characteristics similar to Japanese visitors before Hawaii became a common destination, "They only want to eat in Chinese restaurants," Rosenbaum said. But, more important for retailers is that the Chinese also appear to have a taste for luxury goods. "The Chinese, like the Japanese, also want to purchase luxury goods as gifts to take home," Spears said. While retailers need accurate data to capture their audience, there is one sure plan that works across cultures, Murata said. "One thing you can always sell them is the aloha spirit - that's an approach that works with visitors from China to Lithuania," Murata said. BACK TO TOP | The Hawaii experience A new University of Hawaii study of tourist spending habits raised some interesting questions. For instance, do Japan travelers, who planned to spend $1,400 on gifts and souvenirs during their stay in Hawaii, really contribute the most money to Hawaii's economy? While Americans, who planned to spend about $600 on retail, and Chinese/ Koreans, who planned to spend about $750, lagged behind in overall spending, the data showed that these groups spent significantly more on made-in-Hawaii products. The percentage of visitors planning to buy each product: Items USA / Canada Japan China / South Korea Hawaiian coffee 53.1 38.4 70.8 Macadamia nuts 66.8 52.2 75.5 Pineapples 37.4 7.3 30.2 Hawaiian candies 35.7 12.3 35.8 Hawaiian clothing 47.3 21.7 43.4 Hawaiian souvenirs 60.9 41.1 58.5 Source: University of Hawaii marketing professor Mark Rosenbaum and travel industry management professor Dan Spears Where it all goes Percentage of visitors doing the following activities: Activities U.S. Japan China/Korea Honeymoon/wedding 6.8 18.2 4.7 Visit family/friends 13.4 3.8 28.3 Part of Packaged tour 15.8 61.3 25.5 Buying designer clothes 29.2 34.9 37.7 Golf 16.0 5.6 30.2 Tour bus 30.9 25.2 37.7 Beach 77.4 78.3 84.0 Fine dining 58.2 8.5 49.1 Culture/History 64.2 27.3 43.4 Luau 59.7 16.1 62.3 Designer boutiques 35.1 59.2 41.5 Mall 65.4 74.5 75.5 Characteristics of visitors' stays: Visit U.S. Japan China/Korea Planned Expenditures $644 $1,416 $745 Length of Stay in Hawaii 12 days 7 days 11 days Source: University of Hawaii marketing professor Mark Rosenbaum and travel industry management professor Dan Spears — ADVERTISEMENTS — — ADVERTISEMENTS — | | | PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION E-mail to Business Editor BACK TO TOP Text Site Directory: [News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Do It Electric!] [Classified Ads] [Search] [Subscribe] [Info] [Letter to Editor] [Feedback] © 2004 Honolulu Star-Bulletin -- http://starbulletin.com -Advertisement-