THE 2003 PGA GRAND SLAM of Golf has been changed
to Dec. 4 to Dec. 6 at the Poipu Bay Golf Course on Kauai. The Pro
Am will take place the first day, the initial round will be on Dec.
5 and the final round on the 6th. This will be the tenth
consecutive year Poipu Bay and the Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort &
Spa have hosted the event, which features the four top golfers in
the world. Last year's participants were Tiger Woods, Rich Beem,
Justin Leonard and Davis Love III. The pros play 36 holes over two
days for a purse of $1 million. Tickets: (800) PGA-TCKT; www.pga.com
JAPAN AIRLINES, citing a fall in demand, will
cut one daily flight between Tokyo and Honolulu, reducing the
number of weekly flights from 21 to 14 from April 1 to April 24.
Between April 25 and May 6, weekly flights will drop from 28 to 21.
In addition, one daily flight will be cut from JAL's Osaka-Honolulu
service, reducing the number of weekly flights from 14 to seven
from April 1 to April 23. JAL is also making temporary schedule
changes on other international routes, including Guam, Hong Kong,
London and Paris.
FEWER VISITORS arrived in Hawaii in February,
but they stayed longer, according to data released by the state
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Total
arrivals decreased 0.2% compared with year-ago levels, but the
average length of stay rose 5%, boosting February's visitor day
count. Domestic visitor arrivals declined 4.7%, but again, length
of stay increased 6.8% to 11 days. "The uncertainty of war has now
halted the continuous growth in domestic arrivals that began in May
2002," said DBEDT director Theodore Liu. "Looking forward, we might
expect that visitor activities will slow during the next few months
as the conflict plays out. In the long run, we believe that
Hawaii's popularity and safe environment will attract visitors back
to the Islands."
TREAT MOM to a champagne and prime rib brunch cruise aboard the
232-foot Star of Honolulu for Mother's Day. The scenic tour departs
Aloha Tower Marketplace at 10 a.m., and cruises to Diamond Head and
back for a leisurely 2.5 hours. Brunch includes prime rib carved
onboard, huli huli chicken, steamed mahi mahi, lomi lomi salmon,
macadamia nut breads, fresh salads and a champagne toast.
Fish-feeding, lei-making, coconut-palm-frond weaving, ukulele and
hula lessons and a new "Enchanted Waikiki" show will add to the
dining experience. Rates are commissionable at 10%: $41.95 for
adults, $20.95 for children 3-11. Roundtrip transportation from
Waikiki is available for $9 per person. (800) 334-6191;
www.starofhonolulu.com
PACKAGES
• Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is inviting families to take
advantage of deals for kids in its "Sunshine on Sale" package this
summer. The five-night package, available June 1 to Aug. 31, starts
at $690 per adult for terrace accommodations and includes a
complimentary fifth night, free meals for kids ages 12 and under
(when accompanied by a paying adult), daily breakfast buffet for
parents and a free day session at Camp Hyatt for children ages
5-12. A second room for the children can be booked at 50% off.
They'll go right to sleep after a day of playing in the new
3,000-square-foot keiki lagoon. Commission on rooms and packages is
10%. (800) 55HYATT. For air-inclusive packages, call Hyatt
Vacations at (800) 772-0011; www.hyattvacations.com
• Runaway has new deals with Aston properties in Hawaii this
summer, available June 1 to Sept. 30. Prices are based on five
night/six day land-only packages, including rental car. Rates at
the Aston Waikiki Beach Tower start at $877 per person, double
occupancy for a one-bedroom deluxe ocean-front room. The Aston
Kaanapali Shores on Maui starts at $521, and the Aston Islander on
the Beach on Kauai starts at $315. A one-bedroom deluxe room at the
Aston Shores at Waikoloa on the Big Island starts at $575. Book
directly through Runaway and earn commission on luaus, meal
cruises, dinner shows, snorkel excursions and other tours. And
don't forget to collect on the Runaway Rewards program, which gives
agents cash or gift certificates for every five qualified bookings.
(800) 622-0723