THE CRASH
OF TWO HELICOPTERS while on aerial tours on Kauai has led
to calls for more stringent regulation of the Hawaii air tour
industry. Crashes have resulted in 39 deaths since 1994, and a
recent study by the National Transportation Safety Board condemned
the Federal Aviation Administration's lax supervision and failure
to fully enforce regulations. There seems to be no pattern as to
cause, with mechanical error, bad weather and pilot error all
playing a role in recent crashes. The helicopter air tour business,
with a 40-year track record, generates hundreds of millions of
dollars in revenues annually in Hawaii, with helicopter tours
offered on Kauai, the Big Island, Maui, Molokai and Oahu.
HILTON
HAWAII has revealed details of its HHonors Mahalo Program
for 2007. A stay at any of six Hilton Family properties in Hawaii
earns up to 10,000 HHonors bonus points. Participating Hilton
properties include the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island,
the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, Beach, the Hilton Waikiki
Prince Kuhio (as of April 2007) and Doubletree's Wyland Waikiki,
and Alana Hotel-Waikiki. Guests at the Hilton Waikoloa Village,
Hilton Hawaiian Village, Hilton Kauai Beach Resort, Hilton Waikiki
Prince Kuhio, and Alana Hotel-Waikiki also receive a plush bathrobe
valued at $85. Points-generating bookings are commissionable to
agents only if booked online or direct with Hilton. Call (800)
HILTONS or visit www.hilton.com.
SHERATON
HOTELS & RESORTS is offering four-night packages at
two of its Waikiki properties through Dec. 25 (blackout dates
apply). The Sheraton Waikiki's Waikiki Connection includes an
oceanfront room at $575 per night including daily breakfast and
dinner for two, a catamaran sail and a gift basket. To book, use
rate code WKKCONN. Meanwhile, the Royal Hawaiian's Royal Treatment,
priced at $745 per night for two, includes two spa treatments per
person, a $100 dining credit and other amenities. To book, use rate
code RYL TREAT. Call (888) 488-3535 or visit www.starwoodhotels.com/hawaii.
APPOINTMENTS
" The Hawaii
Tourism Authority has named visitor industry veteran David Uchiyama
as its new marketing director. Uchiyama leaves a position as
regional director of communications for Starwood Hotels &
Resorts in Hawaii and French Polynesia.
" The Outrigger
Condominium Collection has named Hawaii tourism veteran Dale
Stetson as regional director-Kauai. The company operates the
Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa, the Kiahuna Plantation and the Lae
nani.
" The Ala Moana
Hotel has named Grant James as general manager and Ron Takayama as
assistant general manager. The property recently began operations
as an affiliate of the Outrigger chain.
" The Ritz-Carlton
Kapalua has named Marc Nasser as director of group sales,
overseeing the property's six group sales managers.
Hawaii
Editor: Allan Seiden
Phone: (808) 734-4677
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the Hawaii E-letter, contact Debbie Joseph at [email protected].