SUNTRIPS will offer connecting service from Denver
to feed into its existing Oakland/Hawaii program beginning Dec. 18
through 2004. Outbound flights will depart Denver on Sunday
mornings and connect to nonstop service from Oakland to Honolulu.
On Thursday mornings, that service will connect to Maui. Return
flights are available on Tuesdays from Honolulu or Maui. Nonstop
service from Maui, connecting to Denver, is available Thursdays.
Suntrips' interisland partner is Aloha Airlines. (800) 786-8747; www.suntrips.com
HAWAII'S VISITOR INDUSTRY got a boost in July
with the highest domestic visitor days and visitor arrivals ever
for the month, according to the state Dept. of Business, Economic
Development and Tourism. Nonstop flights to Maui, Kauai and the Big
Island contributed to the increased numbers. Air arrivals from
mainland U.S. rose 5% to 462,776 visitors, surpassing 440,737
arrivals during the same period last year. Travelers who came to
Hawaii in July also stayed 7.1% longer, averaging 11.1 days.
However, weak international numbers pushed total visitor arrivals
down 0.1%.
HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE will reopened Kalia
Tower Sept. 1, according to a spokeswoman. The 25-story tower was
completed in May 2001, then closed in July 2002 when mold was
discovered. Mired in lawsuits, Hilton forged ahead to eradicate the
mold, reconstruct the building and refurnish all 453 guestrooms for
$55 million. Legal battles are expected to continue for years. www.hilton.com
THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII will celebrate Queen
Liliuokalani's birthday in Hilo as part of the statewide Aloha
Festivals Sept. 27 to 28. A program of songs and hula performances
will highlight the weekend honoring Hawaii's last queen, who was an
accomplished musician. Supplementing the fun will be an informative
conference in the Hawaii Naniloa Resort's Crown Room for those
interested in the music industry. Conference registration is $125
and includes lunch. Deadline for registration is Sept. 15.
Entertainment throughout the weekend features ukulele performances,
taiko drumming, bon dancing and hula. For more information, call
the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board at (808) 966-5416.
RATES & DATES...
... WORRY-FREE VACATIONS is offering air/hotel
packages at a variety of Hawaii properties on all islands. The
hotels include Hyatt, Marriott, Outrigger, Aston and Starwood. At
Aston, for instance, children under 12 receive free activities and
meals. Most offers are valid through Christmas. Be sure to verify
specifics. Add-on activities, such as tours of the Arizona Memorial
and the Polynesian Cultural Center, are also available. www.worryfreevacationsagent.com