HAWAIIAN AIRLINES introduced a travel agent Web
site at www.HawaiianAirTravel.com where travel agents can view
special fares and commission offers. There is no online booking
capability yet, but that's coming this summer--with commissions.
"Our new Web site puts Hawaiian Airlines at the fingertips of
travel agents everywhere 24/7," said Janet Yoshida, Hawaiian's
senior director of North American sales. "We're making it easier
for agents to sell Hawaii and generate business with their
clients." In addition to viewing promotions and airline updates,
agents can also order ticket jackets and brochures on the site.
Hawaiian Airlines provides about 100 daily interisland flights, as
well as nonstop service to Hawaii from Los Angeles, San Francisco,
San Diego, Sacramento, Ontario,, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix and Las
Vegas. Hawaiian also flies nonstop to Maui from Los Angeles,
Seattle and Portland. Beginning June 1, the carrier also will fly
nonstop to Maui from San Diego.
THE WESTIN MAUI on Kaanapali Beach has regained
a spot in the upscale lodging market, having recently earned the
AAA Four Diamond rating. By 2004, the AAA's travel books, magazines
and Web site will recommend the 759-room hotel.
MORE RENOVATIONS are coming for Aston. The
255-room Aston Waikiki Parkside Hotel closed yesterday for $2.1
million worth of improvements focused around a water/ocean theme.
The makeover--which follows the $30 million "hip Hawaiiana"
renovation of the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel--includes blue
draperies two stories high at the entrance, with hallway carpets
and wallpaper resembling the ocean floor. In the past two years,
the hotelier also completed a $2 million surf-inspired renovation
of the Aston Aloha Surf Hotel. Reopening of the Parkside is
scheduled for this summer. 1-800-922-7866; www.astonhotels.com.
TWO CRUISE LINES agreed not to stop at Molokai
without first meeting with residents about environmental concerns
vocalized in recent protests. Holland America Line and Princess
Cruises said they will postpone Molokai port calls until next
winter, and will try to meet with legislators and Molokai residents
in May. Previous cancelled visits were blamed on factors unrelated
to the protests.
PACKAGES
• Pleasant Holidays and the Fairmont Kea Lani are offering a free
fifth night with discounts through Dec. 21. Five-night, land-only
holidays start at $852 per person, double occupancy. Also included
are daily buffet breakfast, rental car, lei greeting and taxes.
Fairmont Kea Lani is an all-suite, luxury oceanfront resort on
Maui. 1-800-448-3333; www.PleasantAgent.com.
• Go topless! Book with Apple Vacations and ask for the Go Topless
promotion to get a free upgrade from an economy Dollar rental car
to a convertible. The promotion is good for bookings of 5 nights or
longer through March 15 for departures from March 23-June 7.
1-800-800-0202; applevacations.com.