THE SHERATON MOLOKAI LODGE AND BEACH VILLAGE has
the answer if a rustic, barefoot wedding--followed by unparalleled
mountain biking--appeals to you. Priced at $1,500, the package
includes private transportation to obtain a marriage license and a
meeting with a wedding coordinator to help personalize the private
ceremony that will take place at Kaupoa Beach or in the garden at
the Lodge. Couples also get private transportation to and from the
airport, clergy services, a Hawaiian musician, flowers, champagne,
a wedding cake and a photo album to commemorate the day. (800)
782-9488; www.starwood.com/molokai
THE U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS for triathlon will
take place on Oahu April 18, 2004. The winner will qualify for the
2004 summer Olympic Games in Athens.
LOOK FOR THE HAWAII VISITORS AND CONVENTION
BUREAU to highlight the Islands at the Meeting
Professionals Int'l World Education Congress at San Francisco's
Moscone West Convention Center through Wednesday. Joining HVCB in
its effort to attract more meetings and convention business to the
state are the four chapters from Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big
Island.
THE NUMBER OF VISITOR DAYS spent in Hawaii for
the first half of this year rose 5.6% compared with the same period
last year because of to a longer length of stay that offset a 1.5%
decline in visitor arrivals, according to the state Dept. of
Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Arrivals from the
domestic market grew by 2 % in June, while international arrivals
continued to lag 28.3% below previous-year levels. Arrival numbers
increased from Oregon, Washington and the Mountain region. Molokai
experienced the largest rise in domestic visitors for the first
half of 2003, with a jump of 37.8%.
MEANWHILE, because of the longer stays,
Hawaii's visitor expenditures for May increased 0.4% to $731
million over the same month last year, according to preliminary
numbers from DBEDT. Spending by visitors from the U.S. West climbed
12.7% to $302.2 million, the largest of all visitor groups.
HAWAII'S HOTEL INDUSTRY recorded an estimated
$1.24 billion in room revenue through the first half of 2003, a
recovery of 3.1% compared the same sluggish period last year,
according to surveys prepared by Hospitality Advisors in
conjunction with Smith Travel Research. Mid-price and economy
hotels led the recovery. Statewide hotel occupancy averaged 71%
through the first six months, compared with 69.7% a year ago,
ranking the destination first in occupancy levels among the top 25
hotel markets in the country. Revenue per available room rose to
$102.74, up from $98.44 in 2002, but still well behind the RevPAR
of $113.79 in 2000.
RATES & DATES: A visit to the Waikoloa
Beach Marriott, an Outrigger Resort on the Big Island, isn't
complete without some pampering in the Hawaiian Rainforest Salon
& Spa. And why not, when daily rates start as low as $189 for a
garden-view room? Try the Lava/Kava/Java package with its Kona
coffee body polish followed by a lilikoi-kava rainforest Vichy
shower and a full-body hot lava rock massage. Alternative therapies
such as gentle chiropractic treatments and Chinese acupuncture are
also available. (888) 924-5656; www.WaikoloaBeachMarriott.com