KAPALUA RESORT has four room-and-ticket packages
to the 22nd annual Kapalua Wine & Food Festival [note food is
secondary] July 10-13. A Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua package starts at
$550 per night for three nights, double occupancy, and includes a
partial ocean-view room, two tickets to the Kapalua Seafood
Festival, daily buffet breakfast for two and an Andrea Immer book.
A four-night package is available at the Kapalua Bay Hotel &
Ocean Villas for $500 per night, double occupancy, and it features
garden-view accommodations, two tickets to the Grand Tasting, two
tickets to the Bay Club Winemakers dinner and two tickets to the
Kapalua Seafood Festival. The Kapalua Villas offer a three-night
package with a one-bedroom villa, two tickets to the Grand Tasting,
two tickets to the Kapalua Seafood Festival and $100 merchandise
credit. (800) KAPALUA; www.kapaluamaui.com
THE NUMBER OF DAYS visitors spent in Hawaii
rose 15% in April compared with the same month a year earlier,
according to the state Dept. of Business, Economic Development and
Tourism. The statistics result from of an increase in domestic
visitor arrivals--although international arrivals sagged--and a
longer average length of stay. The number of visitors arriving on
domestic flights rose 12.2% compared with previous-year levels,
whereas international arrivals were 26.6% below 2002. The most
dramatic increase occurred on Molokai, where visitor arrivals
increased 59.4%. Only Oahu saw a decline, with visitor arrivals
dropping 10.3% compared with the previous April. Cruise ships also
enjoyed a boost. Eleven cruise ships toured the Islands in April,
carrying 32,647 people--62.6% more than last year.
IN A CONCERTED EFFORT to attract more business
and incentive groups, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is
"Celebrating Aloha" in a West Coast road show this week designed to
market the Islands to meeting planners. Look for the team of travel
suppliers and HVCB representatives in Newport Beach, Calif.
tomorrow and in San Francisco on Thursday. Even if you don't win
the grand prize drawing--a free trip to Hawaii for two--you'll
taste Hawaiian cuisine and go home with a gift bag...and learn a
little more about bringing your next convention to Hawaii. (888)
424-2924; www.meethawaii.com
CULTURAL HAPPENINGS: Explore Chinese history at
the Honolulu Academy of Arts this summer. "Chinese Costumes of the
Qing Dynasty: From the Academy's Textile Collection" will be shown
May 15 to Sept. 14 in the Textile Gallery, and will feature 25
intricately embroidered robes and jackets from the 1644 and 1911
timeframe.
RATES & DATES: Purchase an eight-day Kauai
package with SunTrips and get a nonstop flight to the Garden Isle
and a complimentary helicopter tour on Heli USA. It must be booked
by June 6 for travel through Aug. 15. Nonstop service to Kauai
leaves Oakland on Fridays throughout the summer. Eight-day packages
start at $759, with airfare, accommodations, rental car and hotel
taxes. Air-only rates start at $449. (800) 786-8747; www.suntrips.com