Hawaii Vacation

Kailua Beach Oahu Hawaii Vacation Rental Homes; Kailua and Lanikai Beach Front Vacation Home Rentals For Reservations 10Best@hawaii.rr.com (808) 227-6776 The Property Managers Click Here for Vacation Rentals in Waikiki, Diamond Head, Kahala Aloha From Kailua Beach! Hawaii’s 10 Best Vacation Homes represents over 20 of the very best rental properties along Kailua Beach. Please contact us with your reservation request or any questions you might have. With over three miles of white sand and turquoise-blue ocean at your doorstep, you can select the perfect Kailua Beach vacation rental home from our exclusive collection of estates, executive homes, beach cottages and traditional bed and breakfasts. Conde Nast, considered to be the premier international travel magazine, has for years rated Kailua Beach as one of the most beautiful in the world. Kailua beachfront homes are located right on the water, while Kailua beachside homes are just off of the beach (usually a house or two back), but all within a five minute walk to Kailua Beach. Just give us a call or email for reservations and information. To view our companion site featuring other Kailua Beach vacation rental homes on Oahu, please click www.HawaiiHomes.cc . Mahalo! Real Estate Sales Peter D. Osborne (R) (808) 291-2331 1314 S.King St. Honolulu, HI 96814 HawaiianTime@hawaii.rr.com Sponsored Site Free! Hawaii Real Estate MLS guide Click on any image below for reservation and property information Hale Kea Hale Luana Hale Ohana Hale Kahakai Pikake Hale Kailua Rentals Beachside 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths Heated Pool $11400/mo $475/day Kailua Rentals Beachside 3 Bedrooms +loft 2 Baths Pool $13200/mo $550/day Kailua Rentals Beachside 4 Bedrooms 3 Baths Pool & Spa $11800/mo $495/day Kailua Rentals Beachside 5 Bedrooms 2 Baths Pool $750/day Kailua Rentals Beachside 5 Bedrooms 4 Baths Jacuzzi Spa $12000/mo $450/day Hale Koa Kailua Ocean View Ala Koloa Song Bird Maluhia Kailua Rentals Beachside 4 Bedrooms 2 Baths Pool & Spa $15750/mo $695/day Kailua Rentals Beachside 6 Bedrooms 4 Baths Pool & Spa $1125/day Kailua Rentals Beachside 4 Bedrooms 2 Baths $7800/mo $325/day Lanikai Rentals Beachside 4 Bedrooms 2 Baths Pool & Spa $595/day Lanikai Rentals Beachside 5 Bedrooms 3 Baths Pool $550/day Lanikai Ocean View Lanikai Rentals Beachside 5 Bedrooms 5.5 Baths Pool & Spa $850/day Click on any image below for reservation and property information Hale Honu Hale Nani Kai Hale Manu Hale Kai Surf Lanai Kailua Rentals Beachfront 4/5 Bedrooms 3/4 Bath Pool $1195/day Kailua Rentals Beachfront 6 Bedrooms 5 Baths Pool $1400/day Kailua Rentals Beachfront 3 Bedrooms 3 Bath Large Covered Lana'i $595/day Kailua Rentals Beachfront 4 Bedrooms, A/C 4 Baths Pool, Tennis Court $950/day Rates as posted Kailua Rentals Beachfront 3 or 4 Bedrooms 2 or 3 Baths 3 Bed: $715/day 4 Bed: $770/day Kailua Beach Bungalow Shangri-La by the Sea Windsurf Hale Lanikai Pua O Lanikai Kailua Rentals Beachfront 4 Bedrooms 2 Baths $725/day Kailua Rentals Beachfront 5 Bedrooms 3 Baths $1450/day Kailua Rentals Beachfront 3 Bedrooms 2 Baths $575/day Lanikai Rentals Beachfront 3 Bedrooms 3 Baths Pool $925/day Lanikai Rentals Beachfront 4/6 Bedrooms 5/6 Bath Heated Pool $1125 or $1425/day Lanikai Moonrise Lanikai Rentals Oceanfront 4 Bedrooms 3 Baths $565/day Click on any image below for reservation and property information Moana Lani, Lanikai Beachfront Estate Kailua Bay Estate, Kailua Beachfront Lanikai Rentals Beachfront 7 Bedrooms 7 Baths Plus 1/1 Separate Cottage Sleeps 16 $1,995/day Kailua Rentals Beachfront 6 Bedrooms 4 Baths Max. 10 People Pool $1,595/day Click on any image below for reservation and property information Hale Awakea Beachwalk Beachfront Hideaway Lanikai Sunrise Apartment Kailua Rentals Beachside 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom $85/day Kailua Rentals Beachside 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms $5900/mo $225/day Kailua Rentals Beachfront 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom $150/day Lanikai Rentals Beachside Studio 1 Bathroom $125/day Click on any image below for reservation and property information Sharon's Serenity Vera's Guest House Kailua Rentals Beachside 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom $125/day Kailua Rentals Beachside 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom $125/day Click this button to search for more homes. 280 Kuupua - 350 Dune - 838 B North Kalaheo - 860 Mokulua - Beachfront Hideaway - Beachwalk - Hale Aloha - Hale Awakea - Hale Honu - Hale Kai Surf - Hale Kea - Hale Lanikai - Hale Luana - Hale Manu - Hale Nani Kai - Hale Ohana - Hale Kahakai - Hale Koa - Home - Kailua Bay Estate - Kailua Beach Bungalow - Kailua Ocean View - Lanai - Lanikai Iki - Lanikai Moonrise - Lanikai Ocean View - Lanikai by the Sea - Makani Kai Marina - Maluhia - Moana Lani - Nalo Kai - Peter - Pikake Hale - Poha Kea Point - Pua O Lanikai - Sharons Serenity - Song Bird - Lanikai Sunrise Apartment - Vera's Guest House - Link Exchange - Kailua Map - Real Estate - MLS Request ~~~~~ - 280 Kuupua - 350 Dune - 838 B North Kalaheo - 860 Mokulua - Beachfront Hideaway - Beachwalk - Hale Aloha - Hale Awakea - Hale Honu - Hale Kai Surf - Hale Kea - Hale Koa - Hale Lanikai - Hale Luana - Hale Manu - Hale Nani Kai - Hale Ohana - Hale Kahakai - Home - Kailua Bay Estate - Kailua Beach Bungalow - Kailua Ocean View - Lanai - Lanikai Iki - Lanikai Moonrise - Lanikai Ocean View - Lanikai by the Sea - Makani Kai Marina - Maluhia - Moana Lani - Nalo Kai - Peter - Pikake Hale - Poha Kea Point - Pua O Lanikai - Sharons Serenity - Song Bird - Lanikki Sunrise Apartment - Vera's Guest House - Link Exchange - Kailua Map - Real Estate - MLS Request

Lahaina Luau, Front Street,

Old Lahaina Luau, Front Street, Lahaina, Maui - Hawaii Diary - May 2000  You are here: About > Travel > Hawaii / South Pacific for Visitors > Maui / Molokai / Lanai > Maui > Old Lahaina Luau, Front Street, Lahaina, Maui - Hawaii Diary - May 2000 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 Hawaii Diary 2000 Part 9: Old Lahaina, Luau, Front Street, Lahaina, Maui Thursday evening we attended the Old Lahaina Luau, widely recognized asHawaii's oldest and most authentic luau. The luau has moved its location since our lastvisit. It is now located on the beach on Front Street in Lahaina near the Cannery Mall. Hawaii Diary 2000 Part 1: Overview Part 2: Arrival, the Hard Way Part 3: Mighty Mo and Downtown Honolulu Part 4: Circle Island Adventure on Oahu Part 5: Oahu's Leeward Shore Part 6: Oahu in Pictures Part 7: Off to Maui Part 8: West Maui's Rugged North Shore Part 9: Old Lahaina Luau, Lahaina, Maui Part 10: In Celebration of Canoes, Lahaina, Maui Part 11: Maui's Kihei Coast Part 12: Haleakala and Upcountry Maui Part 13: A Day of Rest on Maui Part 14: Molokai for a Day Part 15: Hana, Maui and Beyond Part 16: Sunset Sail in Paradise Part 17: Hawaii Diary 2000 Retrospective The evening begins with a flower lei greeting and cocktails.There is anopen bar throughout the evening. All drinks are included in your fee. All seats arepre-assigned, so there is no need to try to beat the crowds in order to get a good seat.What you might wish to consider is making your reservation well in advance of your trip toHawaii. That, above all else, will ensure you a good seat for the after-dinner show. Craft Demonstration Photo by John Fischer During this part of the evening you can wander the grounds, watch Hawaiiancraft demonstrations and take in a beautiful sunset. At around 6:30 the imu presentation is held where the Kalua Pua`a isunearthed from its underground oven. Kalua Pua`a Photo by John Fischer The pork has been cooking since morning in this traditional Hawaiianmethod of preparation. As you return to your seat, your host escorts your table to the hale a`i(eating house) where many traditional Hawaiian and western foods are served buffet style.Traditional luau favorites include chicken long rice, mahi mahi, poke (marinated raw ahituna), lomi lomi salmon (salmon bits with tomatoes and onions), haupia (coconut pudding)and of course, the Kalua Pua`a. Next Page After Dinner Entertainment Page1, 2 From John Fischer , Your Guide to Hawaii / South Pacific for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Advertisement Most Popular Nudist Beaches in Hawaii Hawaii Photos Hawaii Pictures Life's a Beach in Hawaii - Our collection of photos of peopl... Hawaiian Island Scorecard 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 Related Topics Air Travel Cruises Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways Surfing / Bodyboarding Travel with Kids   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 2006 Special Packages on Kauai For travelers considering a visit to the Garden Isle of... 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...

Lanai City is perhaps

Aloha-Hawaii.com: Lanai January 2006 | aloha-hawaii.com : lanai : natural hawaii :lanai Search for articles: Within this site All of Hawaii GARDEN OF GODS About seven miles north of Lanai City is perhaps Hawaiis ultimate...>> MANELE BAY The Manele Bay Hotel on Lanai already sits high above the white sand beach of...>> SPORTING CLAYS When I was a young boy, my parents gave me a cap gun for my birthday....>> LANAI GOLF First, the bad news: When it comes to golf courses on the island of Lanai,...>> LANAI HORSEBACK Ever since horses were introduced to Hawaii in 1803, horseback riding has been...>> January 2006 | http://lanai.aloha-hawaii.com / hawaii /lanai/ Kaunolu Bay on the southwest tip of Lanai. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 LANAI Lanai is the smallest of Hawaiis inhabited islands, covering 140 square miles. Once the home of a thriving pineapple plantation, Lanai has reinvented itself as an alluring resort destination offering world-class golf courses and award-winning accommodations . In ancient times, Lanai was thought to be overrun with evil spirits. A young man named Kaululaau, the son of a Maui chief, was exiled to Lanai to explore the island and deem it free of such spirits to make Lanai suitable for settling. A major chapter in Lanais history was penned in 1922, when an enterprising businessman named James Dole purchased the island for $1.1 million. Dole started growing pineapple on his island, and soon canned pineapplea new concept at the timebecame a smash hit on the mainland. In time, tiny Lanai developed into the worlds largest exporter of this succulent fruit. At one point, the island was producing 75 percent of the worlds pineapple. For decades, Lanai was celebrated as Hawaiis flourishing "Pineapple Island." Thousands of acres were dedicated to pineapple, and people came from far and wide to work the fields. In the late 1980s, as the pineapple industry began to wane, Lanai turned to tourism. Two luxury resorts were built: the Lodge at Koele and the Manele Bay Hotel . Also added were a pair of championship golf courses: the Experience at Koele and the Challenge at Manele (designed by Ted Robinson and Jack Nicklaus, respectively). Besides golf, Lanai offers many things to do and see. Go for a swim at picturesque Hulopoe Beach. Snorkel the islands cliff-lined west coast. Explore the Garden of the Gods , an intriguing rock formation reminiscent of a lunar landscape. Hunt for treasures or examine historic petroglyphs at Shipwreck Beach . Admire local artwork at the Lanai Arts & Culture Center, a prominent showcase for community arts. You can even "lock and load" at Lanai Pine Sporting Clays , the only resort sporting clays course in the state. Photo Credits:Photo1: Peter French; Courtesy HVCB, Photo2: Kirk Aeder; Courtesy HVCB, Photo3: Castle & Cooke, Photo4: Peter French; courtesy HVCB, Photo5: William Waterfall; Courtesy HVCB ©2003-2004 Media-HI, Inc. All rights reserved. HELPFUL RESOURCES Lanai Weather Lanai Map | Email Friend | MORE FEATURED ARTICLES: > Diving Hawaii > Sounds of Hula > Molokai Mule > Birth of Hula > Lanai Pineapple > Shipwreck Beach > Lanai Golf > Sporting Clays > Garden of Gods > Stargazing ATTRACTIONS and activites throughout Hawaii. Click here for FREE GUIDE. POIPU, KAUAI!! Great Deals & Fabulous Places On Kauai's Sunny Side!! POIPU, KAUAI!!! ISLAND SWEETS Big Island Candies is the place for chocolate covered Macadamia nut needs. Site Map | Contact Us | Submit a URL | Advertising Info | Privacy | Terms & Conditions ©2003-2004 Media-HI, Inc. All rights reserved. Designed & produced by: Tsunami Marketing . -- --

Maui Windsurfing Report Brought

Hawaii Health Guide - Healthtalk Search Health Talk All Islands BIG_ISLAND Kauai Lanai Maui Molokai Oahu All Categories Community Environment Personal Health Other Health Talk Archives last week this week today -- all items this month this week Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2003 2004 2005 2006 PLACE YOUR AD HERE Contact Hawaii Health Guide for Advertising Rates & Info. -- PLACE YOUR AD HERE Contact Hawaii Health Guide for Advertising Rates & Info. PLACE YOUR AD HERE Contact Hawaii Health Guide for Advertising Rates & Info. -- All Islands Health Talk Windsurfing Maui A-Z Windsurfing Maui A-Z Sep 20, 2005 / Community All Islands, Maui By Frank "SIMS" Bingel The coloful sails and great winds of Hookipa Related Links www.sims-windsurfing.de/sims.html Learn more about the Author - Frank "SIMS" Bingel Maui Windsurfing Report Brought to you by Maui Weather Today Much has been said and written about Maui, but there remain manyuntold stories and emotions associated with this windsurfing mecca. Look down and thewater is the deepest of blues. Look to your left and you see people taking lessons. Lookfar to your right and you see pros throwing loops off nothing. Everyone who has had thegood luck to sail at Maui long enough (including myself) has a great story to tell, infact, many great stories . . . breaking or losing half of their sailing equipment on theinfamous and dreaded Hookipa "rocks" and the feeling of absolute terror in theimpact zone with not a breath of wind in your sail.On a given day, Maui has a greatervariety of sailing conditions for all levels of boardsailors than anywhere in the world.Maui's motto says it all :"MAUI NO KA OI". Translated it's :Maui is thebest.This is truly a place designed for Windsurfing. Sailing Conditions: For those looking for high winds: visit Maui in thesummer. From May to August, the northeast trade winds average 15 to 25 miles/hr, with manydays in the 20 to 30 mile/hr range. The summer is also when the wave swell is at itssmallest. For those who are looking for Maui's famous surf: visit it when there are bothtrades and waves - spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). From Decemberto February, the northeasterlies are less consistent, but there are still great sailingdays during this time - big wave days especially! During the winter, Kona storms willbring in 10-to 20-knot southwesterlies to the south shore. The sailing is side-onshore,port tack, with conditions similar to lake sailing. Another typical winter occurrence is5-to 15-knot northerlies. These winds funnel between the West Maui Mountains and theHaleakala Crater creating great side-offshore, slalom sailing on the south shore. KANAHA BEACH PARK - Kanaha is abeautiful beach park with long, sandy beaches, grassy area for rigging, fresh watershowers, shading trees, and picnic tables, all located in Kahului on the northshore.Sideshore northeast tradewinds blow consistently during June - August, with typically flatwater sailing on the inside, and good bump and jump conditions on the outside. BetweenOctober and May you can find waves on the outside reefs, ranging from small wind swell toexpert wave riding conditions. Most windsurf schools operate at Kanaha because of theconsistent wind and warm water. All year round it is a perfect place for any level sailor. SPRECKELSVILLE / CAMP ONE - Up the coast fromKanaha there is a residential area called Spreckelsville which has many beautiful sandybeaches. The main area to sail is affectionately known as "Sprecks", whichprovides pristine blue-green water and white sandy beach. Parking is limited, so arriveearly. There are no facilities or showers. The sailing level is typically intermediate toadvanced, with the reef making for more chop and breaking waves. Camp One is a no frillsbeach at the end of the Kahului Airport runway. The place has no showers, no grass riggingareas, no toilet, and barely a trash can. It does have a beautiful beach and the onlybreaking waves for most of the summer. The place is frequented by German's, Australians,Italians, French and local windsurfers. It's a place where you want to be polite andfollow the local traditions and laws to the letter. HOOKIPA - Hookipa is the windsurfingmecca of the world. Host to World Cup sailing and surfing contests, Hookipa rips. Jaggedlava rock, exposed reefs, a gnarly shorebreak, light inside winds and powerful ripcurrents make this north shore difficult to launch off limits for most sailors. Expertslaunch from the Beach Park, just downwind from the pavillion. Expect crowds, with manysailors lulling around the outside and looking for a good wave to rip on the inside. Whenthe water flattens in the summer months, slalom sailors launch here at Hookipa and blastdownwind along the north shore. KIHEI - Kihei is the south shore's mostpopular windsurfing spot. When the tradewinds blow north/northeast the pavillion locatedat the intersection of Ohukai Street and South Kihei Road is a great place to sail. Thereef can be shallow on the inside, especially near the Maui Sunset, so consult the localsbefore venturing out. Kihei is good for all level sailors and has a variety ofaccommodations nearby! Who to call: Al West's Maui Windsurfing Vans: 800-870-4084 Alan Cadiz's HST Windsurf School: 800-YOU-JIBE Coconuts Boy: 808-871-5084 Excursions Extraordinaires: 800-678-2252 Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport: 800-231-6958 Hi-Tech Hawaii: 808-877-2111 Hookipa Haven Vacation: 800-398-6284 Hot Sails Maui: 808-877-4433 Kanaha Beach Windsurfing: 808-876-0157 Maui Windsurfari: 800-736-MAUI Maui Windsurf Company/Cort Larned School: 808-877-4816 Maui Windsurfing Vans: 800358-2377 Sailboards Maui: 800-328-8877 Sailboard Vacations/Club Mistral: 800-252-1070 Second Wind Sail & Surf: 808-877-7467 Second Wind Travel Connection: 800-936-RSVP Surf Rents Trucks & Cargo Vans: 808-244-5544 Vela Windsurf Resorts: 800-223-5443 Windrigger Maui/Club Mistral: 800-345-MAUI Windsurfing West: 8003-580-2377 Windsurfing West Vacations: 800-782-6105 Windsurfing Vacations: 800-635-1155 About Us | -- Site Map | Site Credits | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Resources | Add Link | -- Contact Us | RSS Healthtalk Feed © 2006 Hawaii Health Guide all rights reserved

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-