While the Westside economy focuses on the Pacific Missile Range Facility and agriculture, the South Shore of Kaua‘i features large growth in the tourism and hotel/timeshare industries as well as in real estate.
“The South Shore visitor accommodations (entire mixture of hotel, condo, time share, vacation rental) are the economic drivers of the South Shore economy,” said Poipu Beach Resort Association President Margy Parker.
“However it is the destination (the beaches, the recreational attractions, the facilities) that is also the big draw.”
The major players on the South Shore in the hotel/timeshare industries are Hyatt Regency Kauai (which is the largest employer on the island) and features 605 rooms plus multiple restaurants, meeting and convention space.
In addition, Sheraton Kauai Resort, Kiahuna Plantation Resort, Poipu Kai Resort Marriott’s, Waiohai Beach Club (time share and vacation rental), Embassy Vacation Resort Poipu Point (time share and vacation rental) and Lawai Beach Resort (time share with very small percentage in vacation rental) are some of the key players in the hotel/timeshare industries.
Parker also named Suite Paradise (185 vacation rental units; as many employees as Lawai Beach Resort), Grantham Resorts (110 vacation rental units), R & R Realty and Rentals (over 50 vacation rental units) as key contributors in the vacation rental market.
According to Poipu Beach Resort Association President Margy Parker, “the South Shore contains approximately 33 percent of all visitor accommodation inventory, but often experiences a little higher occupancy and average rate, so the region probably pumps out about 36-40 percent of total tax revenues and job generation relating to tourism.”
In addition to the hotel/timeshare industries, the Southshore’s economy also moves as a result of outdoor recreation and the many picturesque and known beaches including those in Po‘ipu.
“The South Shore’s major economic driver is tourism,” said Parker. “…But we also have more ocean recreation (popular for diving, surfing, swimming, boogie boarding, snorkeling, fishing, and windsurfing) than the North Shore. That area has all those things too, but they’re more spread out.”
South Shore real estate
Pacific Ocean Properties and Makai Properties are two of the biggest real estate companies on the South Shore while Alexander and Baldwin in partnership with DMB under the banner, Kuku‘iula Development (Hawai‘i) LLC is leading the way in the land development market.
The leaders in the land-owners market is Knudsen Trusts and Grove Farm.
“Bedroom Communities”
Parker added that another key factor for the South Shore with regards to the economy are “bedroom communities” located in Koloa, Omao, Lawa‘i and Kalaheo.
Parker feels that there is a fairly significant “bedroom” community, housing families and workers who travel into Lihu‘e, the West Side as well as the South Shore.
“There are close to 10,000 registered voters in the entire Koloa District,” said Parker.
“These bedroom communities contribute significantly to nearby services, such as restaurants and shops.”
This report is one in a series on the economies of Kaua‘i’s districts.
Business Editor Barry Graham can be reached at 245-3681 Ext. 251 or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net
