Hawaii Resort

Hawaii resorts hotels condos lodging. One Bed Hawaii resort accommodations in aresort hotel condominium. Our One Bedroom One Bath Hawaiian Resort Condos offer Quality Accommodations. We Have A Premium Oceanview Kona Resort Condominium Available For Your HawaiiVacation. You Can Enjoy Affordable Quality Accommodations at our Hawaiian Resort. The perfect economical Kona resort, thiscondominium has all the comforts and conveniences of your home. Swimming, diving,snorkeling and golf are just a few minutes away. Play tennis, visit the volcano, orexplore the unique Big Island of Hawaii. Our MountainSide resort condo has a private entrance and a lanai--great for enjoying the oceanviews, sunsets, and fragrant plumerias in the gardens below. This Oceanview unit is just 100from the water across the beach road. We are just 1.5 miles south of the main town ofKailua on the Kona Coast. For more detailed information about our area please see our LOCATION MAP page. Our Kona resort condominium was recentlyrefurbished and redecorated with your comfort in mind. You will find a well-equipped full kitchenwith a microwave, full size range, icemaker refrigerator and coffee grinder, plus more.Our Kona resort condo is comfortably furnished in light tropicalcolors. For your comfort our Kona resort has an air conditioningunit and has a ceiling fan. Sleeping accommodations include a queen size bedin the bedroom and a queen-size sofa-sleeper in the living room with all linens provided.A double bath area separates tub and shower from the vanity/dressing area. We have a colorTV with extended cable and a VCR--so you can see and enjoy your vacation videosimmediately!! Other amenities include; an iron and board, plus a privatephone line and answering machine. Our Affiliation with AVIS CAR RENTAL allows us to offer our guests car rentals at very competitive rates beginning at $22 perday. Our current rate for our MountainSide one bedroom starts at $109.50for GardenView, and our OceanView starts at $122.50. Occupancy in this condo is limited to4 persons. To check availability, please see our AVAILABLE DATESPAGE which has our openings for the next 3 months. To reserve specific dates pleasecall 800-479-2173. There is a one time $55 housekeeping feefor this condo and 11.42% Hawaii tax. Please see our RESERVATIONPOLICIES page for specific details. For those of you who would prefer a larger unit on theoceanfront, please see our ONE BEDROOM TWO BATH OCEANFRONT CONDO. Questions? Call Dan or Jeannie NOW at800-479-2173 (between 9 AM & 8 PM West Coast Time Please), or CLICK HERE TO E-MAIL US. We hope to have you as our guests. Mahalo Nui Loa. BACK || HOME || NEXT STUDIO SUITE || 1 BED 2BATH OCEANFRONT || 2 BED 2 BATH OCEANFRONT RENTAL CARS || INTERNETSPECIALS || HOME || ACTIVITIES || RENTAL POLICIES || LOCATION MAP || AVAILABILITY DAN & JEANNIE CALNAN, aloha@konacondos.com ALWAYS SUNNY KONA CONDOS, WWW.KonaCondos.Com 4887 NW BRYCE COURT, SILVERDALE, WA. 98383 FAX 360-613-2858 PHONE U.S.A. 1-360-698-7007 PLEASE "BOOKMARK" THIS PAGE FOR YOUR FUTURE CONVENIENCE. "Always stay with a member of the Hawaii Visitors Bureau Your assurance of a Quality Vacation!"

Hawaiian food punch. W

Honolulu and Waikiki Restaurant and Cusine Dining Guide, PuPus PubClub.com! Honolulu and Waikiki Restaurant and Cuisine Dining Guide, PuPus SITE MAP Home Message Boards Advertise on PubClub About Us Contact Us Get Your Free Newsletter Be a PubClubber Trip Prep DESTINATIONS: Amsterdam Australia Chicago Greek Islands Greece Road Trip Hawaii Key West Las Vegas London Los Angeles Mexico New Orleans Portland, OE San Francisco Spain Toronto Vancouver, B.C. Ski Resorts Special Events FEATURES The Bartender Pub Journals Pub Club Profiles Road Trips COMING SOON: South Beach INSIDE PUBCLUB.COM Our Staff Partnerships Press Room Home Free Newsletter Advertise With Us Contact Us NO LAST CALL! ° Home Page ° Sign up to be a "PubClubber " HONOLULU GUIDE: ° Introduction ° Party Bus ° Honolulu PreParty ° Booze Cruise ° PubClubbing ° Post Party HAWAIIAN ISLANDS ° The Islands ° Hawaii Home Page MORE CITY GUIDES: ° Amsterdam ° Australia ° Boston ° Chicago ° Greek Islands ° Key West ° Las Vegas ° London ° Los Angeles ° Mexico ° New Orleans ° Pamplona/Ibiza ° Portland ° San Diego ° San Francisco ° Ski Resorts ° Toronto ° Vancouver FEATURES: ° The Bartender ° Pub Journals ° Jazz Fest ° Jimmy Buffett Concerts Honolulu and Oahu Restaurant and Dining Guide The Chart House (above) and Harbor Pub are a great 1-2 Hawaiian food punch. W e mentioned it in our overall guide to Hawaiian cuisine , but it's worth a mention here, too. The plate lunch is as big a part of life in Honolulu as surfing and avoiding overly-strenuous work. It is served mainly out of mobile roadside carts throughout the city and consists of beef or pork, Hawaiian noodles, two scoops of rice and sometimes macaroni salad. For around $5, it's one of Hawaii's best food values. It's also delicious. It's so popular here that its served as a drive-thru, the L&L Drive-in. There are locations all over the island, including one just inland of Duke's on Kuho Ave., just Ewa of the International Marketplace (this is a walk-in place, with tables or food to-go, called L&L Hawaiian Barbeque). There's also the Rainbow Drive-in. Another inexpensive lunch option is Auntie Pasta's (Beritiana and Pensacola). It has great Italian food for $6-10. There's no parking, though. While we're on the budget items, Magoo's is a local pizza place that's as much of attraction for the cheap beer as it is the food. Young locals go here to eat, drink and be merry. The best food deal in Honolulu is, without question, Happy Hour at the Chart House. It features large appetizers at Chart House quality for $5-7. Served in the bar area, it overlooks sunset at the Gilligan's Island harbor. There's always a slight breeze blowing, a mellow musician and drinks also at Happy Hour prices ($3 for a pint of local lager). It's just above the Harbor Pub, which has arguably the island's best pizza. Beers are just $1.25 from 4-7 and the cocktails are a strong pour. The Shack is a wooden, well, shack, that serves fantastic burgers and cold beer right on the water in Kailua on Ohau's windward side. It's far from the tourist areas and has sister locations in Los Angeles. and Tuesdays are "Shack attack" days, meaning all burgers are $1 cheaper. A couple of finer restaurant choices are Roy's in Hawaii Kai (just past Maunalua Bay) for Euro/American fare. There are 25 nightly specials and an extensive wine list. Sam Choy's on the edge of downtown is one of the best spots for authentic Hawaii food. Gordon Biersch is a small national micobrewery chain, but the food is terrific. Located in Aloha Towers, it's a popular eating/gathering spot, making it an ideal place to drink, socialize and nourish. Sansei is a rock 'n roll sushi place in the Marriott (sushi is half-off every night after 10 p.m.). It gets a good bar crowd, too. Angelo Pietro's is another restaurant/bar that's more of a bar than a restaurant on Sunday nights. Same deal with the Brew Moon , a microbrewery in the Ward Center. But don't miss the Asian/French fusion at Angelo Pietro's, one of the locals' favorite dining spots. One the fine dining side, Michel's in the Colony Surf Hotel is one of Honolulu's best restaurants. It's French and expensive and men need a jacket (they will provide one for those who packed only, say, Aloha shirts). Ask for "Antie Eva" for the royal treatment. This traditional dining spot has been a tradition since opening in 1962. For all-night munchies within stumbling distance of the bars is the Wailana Coffee House across the street from the Hilton). It's an upscale coffee house open 24 hours. We can't vouch for the quality of the food, but late at night, it's often a place's location that matters more than its taste. Bar trivia: Wilt Chamberlain used to live above the Wailana when he was in Honolulu. He could be found playing handball on the courts by the beach almost daily. Next stop on the Hawaii Party Bus: The Islands Honolulu Restaurants Resource Guide Bar/Club Address Phone (808) Angelo Pietro's 1585 Kapiolani Blvd 941 0555 Brew Moon 1200 Ala Moana Blvd 593 0088 Comprades 1200 Ala Moana Blvd 591 8307 Chart House 1765 Ala Moana Blvd. 941-6660 Duke's Canoe Club Outrigger Waikiki Hotel 922-2268 Gordon Biersch Aloha Tower Drive 599 4877 Harbor Pub 1765 Ala Moana Blvd. 941-0985 Indigo 1121 Nu'uanu Avenu 521-2900 L&L Drive-in 909 Kapahulu Avenue 845 3687 L&L Waikiki 2280 Kuhio Ave 924 7888 Michel's 2895 Kalakaua Avenue 923 6552 Royal Hawaiian Brunch Royal Hawaiian Hotel 923-7311 Magoo's Pizza 1015 University Avenue 949-5381 Rainbow Drive-in 3308 Kanaina Ave 737 0177 Roy's 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy. 396-7697 Sansei 2252 Kalakua Blvd. 922-6611 Sam Choy's 449 Kapahulu Av 732 8645 The Shack 1051 Keolu Drive, Kailua 396-1919 Wailana Coffee House 1860 Ala Moana Blvd. 955-1764

Hawaiian Music Online Travel

Where to Buy Hawaiian Music Online  You are here: About > Travel > Hawaii / South Pacific for Visitors > Shopping and Gifts > Buy Hawaiian Music Online Travel Go Hawaii Essentials Which Hawaiian Island Suits You Best? Clickable Map of the Hawaiian Islands Beach Guide Hawaii Pictures Clickable Map of Maui, Hawaii Topics A Hawaii Vacation Planner Big Island of Hawaii Kauai Maui / Molokai / Lanai Oahu / Honolulu / Waikiki South Pacific Culture, History & Language Hawaii Lodging Hula Luau Maps and Weather Pearl Harbor Photos, Video & Cams Recipes Shopping and Gifts Buyer's Guide Tastes of Paradise from Hilo Hattie HilHilo Hattie Dresses and Sarongs Multi-Day Guided Tours Top Hawaii Guidebooks Top Maui / Molokai / Lanai Guidebooks Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Hawaii / South Pacific for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Hawaii / South Pacific for Visitors > Shopping and Gifts > Buy Hawaiian Music Online Where to Buy Hawaiian Music Online A guide to the best places on the Net to buy albums (CDs and cassettes) of Hawaiian music. Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Hawaiian Music Island If you would like to purchase Hawaiian music, be sure to visit Auntie Maria at the Hawaiian Music Island. This is the best source for Hawaiian CDs and cassettes on the Internet. Top Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoole Albums A true superstar of Hawaiian music, Israel IZ Kamakawiwo`ole (1959-1997), lived a life devoted to family, friends and a love for the people and culture of Hawaii. Four years after his death, his albums continue to be top-sellers. His songs continue to be used in radio and TV ads as well as on major motion picture soundtracks. Cord International/Hana Ola Records Bringing "lost" classic Hawaiian recordings back to the islands, and back to the people around the world, who treasure them. Since 1974 they have brought the sounds of vintage, traditional, hapa-haole & contemporary Hawaiian music to people everywhere. Top Keali`i Reichel Albums Since appearing on the scene in 1994 with his debut album, Kawaipunahele, Keali'i Reichel has quickly become of the most popular Hawaiian musicians of all time, entertaining fans throughout Hawaii and the South Pacific, the U.S. mainland and Japan. He has three times been named Hawaiian Entertainer of the Year at the annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Hawaiian Music Catalog From Island Gifts Direct on Molokai, another source for purchasing Hawaiian CDs and cassettes. Top Robi Kahakalau Albums Daughter of jazz bassist, Pops Kahakalau (a.k.a Bob Carter) and granddaughter of Hawaiian musician Tutu Kahakalau, Robi Kahakalau was born and raised in northern Germany and moved to Hawaii at the age of 17. Tropical Disk From Kihei, Maui another source for Hawaiian music CDs and cassettes.   Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2006 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Tips to Losing Weight Guide to Distance Learning How to Travel for Less PHOTOS: Italy PHOTOS: Hybrid Cars What's Hot Top Picks in Hawaiian Coffee Kamehameha the Great Kalua Pig Waikiki Beach, Oahu - Life's a Beach in Hawaii - Hawaii Beac... Best Beaches 1999 Headlines Plumeria Photos from Hawaii Plumeria is the most common flower that you'll find in... You Won't See This Sign at Home! This certainly isn't a sign that you've ever seen near... Atlantis Submarine Tour Maui Since I had just experienced the Atlantis Submarine Tour on... Maui Swap Meet Photos Held every Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to noon is the...

Lahaina > Lahaina Hotels

Lahaina Inn - Lahaina - Lahaina Inn Reviews - TripAdvisor Lahaina Inn Sign in • Sign up Home > United States > Hawaii > Maui > Lahaina > Lahaina Hotels > Lahaina Inn Lahaina tourism: Overview Hotels Flights Attractions Dining Deals Forums Maps, etc. Search (e.g., Boston hotels, Las Vegas, Paris art museum) Lahaina Lahaina Overview Lahaina Hotels Lahaina Inn All Lahaina Hotels Flights to Lahaina Lahaina Deals Lahaina Attractions Lahaina Restaurants Lahaina Forum Lahaina Maps Lahaina Discount Hotels Lahaina Vacation Packages Lahaina Inn Maui e-mail this page to a friend Traveler Reviews Write a review . What was your experience with Lahaina Inn? Tell others what's hot and what's not. Lahaina Lahaina Inn 127 Lahainaluna Rd. Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761 United States Deals on Lahaina Hotels Wai Ola Vacation Paradise on Maui Valley Isle Resort Hololani Resort ResortQuest Mahana at Kaanapali Napili Kai Beach Resort Whaler on Kaanapali Beach Kaanapali Alii Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa Outrigger Napili Shores Sheraton Maui Hotel Kapalua Bay - A Renaissance Resort Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Lahaina Shores Beach Resort Westin Maui Resort And Spa ResortQuest Kaanapali Shores Napili Point Resort The Mauian Hotel on Napili Beach Marriott's Maui Ocean Club Embassy Suites Resort Ka'anapali Honokeana Cove Condominiums Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas Best Western Pioneer Inn ResortQuest at Papakea Resort Ka'anapali Beach Hotel Outrigger Maui Eldorado Hale Mahina Beach Resort ResortQuest Maui Kaanapali Villas Outrigger Royal Kahana Kahana Sunset Apartments Mahina Surf Puunoa Beach Estates Kahana Reef Sands of Kahana Hale Napili Polynesian Shores Royal Lahaina Resort ResortQuest Paki Maui Ohana Maui Islander Hale Kaanapali Hotel Kaanapali Royal More Lahaina Hotels Napili Bay Resort Maui Kai Beach Resort Maui's Noelani Condominium Resort Napili Village Condos Napili Surf Beach Resort Kulakane Kahana Falls Napili Sunset Lahaina Inn Maui Sands Lahaina hotels: 1 - 20 Lahaina hotels: 21 - 57 Read more Lahaina tourism Lahaina Inn #43 of 57 hotels in Lahaina Compare rates with: Average price*: $ 130 127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii 96761, United States Rooms: 12 TripAdvisor traveler rating: Call now to book: 1-800-434-6835 from hotels.com Hotel photos: Expedia.com Boutique type Inn, rooms with individual decors and modern comforts; situated in the heart of town. This description is based on information provided by the hotel. Sponsored links * Hotel deal search: Lahaina Inn Click here for best prices for Lahaina Inn Lahaina Inn : Great rooms, Great rates Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Lahaina Inn : More rooms for more value hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 Lahaina Inn : This Hotel from $90 TravelNow.com Save On Your Next Hotel or Vacation Rental Lahaina Inn : Save on nearby hotels Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! All results: View all 430 Lahaina travel deals Share your travel photos, get free prints! Have snapshots of hotels or attractions from your last trip? Get up to $40 in free prints from Shutterfly® when you post travel photos on TripAdvisor. Offer ends January 31, 2006. See offer details . TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews 1-10 of 13 (English) RATING:   DATE:   Show:   All languages English (13) Next Jan 8, 2006 "Definitely won't go back"   A TripAdvisor Member, San Francisco We stayed at the Inn for 3 nights. After the first night, considered leaving early, but didn't out of...   Jan 17, 2006 Management response from Debbi, owner/manager In response to the guest that was unhappy that we ran out of hot water. This was a fluke situation. We... Dec 17, 2005 "Cozy and Romantic"   A TripAdvisor Member, North Carolina We love to spend the first part of our Maui trip in Lahaina for the atmosphere, shopping. We stayed three... Sep 14, 2005 "LOVED this place!"   A TripAdvisor Member, Phoenix Arzona My husband and I stayed at the Lahiana Inn for 5 nights in August. What an incredible experience! The... May 18, 2005 "A nice little inn in a fun place"   A TripAdvisor Member, Napa, CA We have stayed at the Lahaina Inn twice in the last five years and found it comfortable and convenient,... Apr 17, 2005 "Great hotel for couples"   A TripAdvisor Member, Texas What a great hotel for couples! The hotel is small and cozy with antique furnishings and a private lanai... Jan 18, 2005 "Prime location"   A TripAdvisor Member, Minnesota We absolutely loved our stay at the Lahaina Inn. It was just what we were looking for; which was a clean,... Jan 12, 2005 "Will never return"   A TripAdvisor Member, UK The first thing you have to do when you check in, is to sign a declaration that your payment is non-refundable... Jan 9, 2005 "We're definitely coming back!"   A TripAdvisor Member, San Diego, California We are an older retired couple and have traveled many places around the world. We love the antiques,... Aug 23, 2004 "The equivalent of Bourbon Street, New Orleans"   A TripAdvisor Member, St. Paul, MN We booked a 4-night stay at the Lahaina Inn for July 28 through August 1, 2004 as part of our 25th wedding... Jun 18, 2004 "Sucked major!"   A TripAdvisor Member, Mesa, AZ Let me just start off by saying there is no tv, pool, or elevators. The rooms are tiny and dirty and...   Jan 9, 2005 Management response from Debbi, manager This is a management response to the girls who were unhappy staying at the hotel. First of all, they... 1-10 of 13 (English)   Next Sponsored links * Hotel deal search: Lahaina Inn Click here for best prices for Lahaina Inn Lahaina Inn : Great rooms from $130   Expedia.com Don't just travel. Travel right! Lahaina Inn : More rooms for more value   hotels.com We Know Hotels Inside And Out. Click or call now: 1-800-434-6835 All results:  View all 430 Lahaina travel deals From Around the Web: Lahaina Inn Expert Guidebooks (4) Title Source   "Lahaina Inn" Fodors.com   "Lahaina Inn" Frommer's   "Lahaina Inn" Wcities.com   "Lahaina Inn" Gayot.com   Recent Articles (2) Title Source   "Feature Article: Lahaina, Maui" It's not surprising that beautiful Lahaina is popular with tourists when you see the many attractions and activities it offers. DiscoveringHawaii.com   "Maui, Hawaii: The best places to stay, run, and race." Run along the beach, on trails and, if you're brave, around the crater of a volcano. Runner's World   Related Web Comments (1) Title Source   "Lahaina Inn" Fodors.com   Forums Get candid advice from real travelers! Title # of Replies Most Recent Reply "First time in Maui going June 17th...Need advise when to buy tickets...." 22 replies 10:55 am, today   "Deep sea fishing/Scuba" 5 replies 2:44 am, today   "Westin - Coin operated washer and dryer ?" 2 replies 12:51 am, today     Go to the Lahaina Forum   Post a forums topic about Lahaina Inn Share your travel savvy! Join a discussion... Title # of Replies Time/Date Posted "apartments" no replies 2:00 pm, Jan 23, 2006   "Condo rentals on Maui" no replies 10:12 pm, Nov 29, 2005   "Condo rentals on Maui" no replies 10:12 pm, Nov 29, 2005     Browse Lahaina discussions Research Other Lahaina Hotels Lahaina Inn not what you're looking for? Find out about other Lahaina hotels , or check out Lahaina hotel deals ! More Information on Travel in Maui Explore our site to find travel information and unbiased reviews on Lahaina tourism , restaurants , attractions , maps and much more. Review Summary Based on 13 reviews worldwide Traveler Rating Overall What to expect Rooms Service Value Cleanliness Recommendations couples and romantics honeymooners budget travelers active/adventure travelers seniors Sponsored links * Hot deals: Lahaina Lahaina : Hotel Deals from $150 Don't just travel. Travel right! Expedia.com Lahaina : Low Hotel Prices Made Easy The faster, easier way to find the hotel you want. Just Orbitz and go! Orbitz.com Lahaina : Great Prices, Great Rooms We Know Hotels Inside And Out. View Maps, Photos, Rates. Book Now! hotels.com Lahaina : Free night on ocean view rooms! Official site. Book special offers, get the best rates...guaranteed! Starwood.com View all Lahaina deals Similar Hotels Nearby Less than 1 mile from Lahaina Inn Best Western Pioneer Inn Ranks #27 in Lahaina Hotel class: Avg. price: $138 /night Less than 2 miles from Lahaina Inn Wai Ola Vacation Paradise on Maui Ranks #1 in Lahaina Avg. price: $75 /night Less than 7 miles from Lahaina Inn Maui's Noelani Condominium Resort Ranks #8 in Lahaina Avg. price: $148 /night Less than 8 miles from Lahaina Inn Valley Isle Resort Ranks #3 in Lahaina Avg. price: $148 /night Less than 9 miles from Lahaina Inn The Mauian Hotel on Napili Beach Ranks #22 in Lahaina Hotel class: Avg. price: $151 /night Free Newsletter Interested in Lahaina Inn and Lahaina ? We'll send you weekly updates with new articles, reviews and special deals. Just enter your e-mail address:   Hotel owners: expand your listing About TripAdvisor TripAdvisor provides unbiased reviews, articles, recommendations and opinions on Lahaina Inn , Lahaina.   Recommendations for hotels, resorts, inns, vacations, travel packages, travel guides and lots more! Visit TripAdvisor's international sites:              About Us | Membership | Site Map | Become an Affiliate | Top Cities | Hotel Reservations | Hotel Deals | TripAdvisor Gear Popular Hotels: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , by city TripAdvisor Recommends: Las Vegas hotels , London hotels , Paris hotels , Rome hotels , New York City hotels , Chicago hotels , Orlando hotels © 2005 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved. TripAdvisor Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . * TripAdvisor, Inc. is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site... 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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-