NAWILIWILI — Norwegian Cruise Line’s bid to become the interisland cruise line of choice in Hawai‘i steps into high gear next year, when the line’s ships will be visible in Nawiliwili Harbor five days a week. And area merchants can’t
NAWILIWILI — Norwegian Cruise Line’s bid to become the interisland cruise line of choice in Hawai‘i steps into high gear next year, when the line’s ships will be visible in Nawiliwili Harbor five days a week.
And area merchants can’t wait.
“Anchor Cove retailers can realize daily gross sales increases from 30 to 60 percent on cruise-ship days versus non-cruise-ship days,” said Richard Jasper, owner of the Anchor Cove.
“The increase in cruise ship days on Kaua‘i will be an extremely positive economic force for hundreds of businesses on the island, and will directly support thousands of residents who work at those businesses.”
In statistics provided by Jasper, beginning in October of 2004, Kaua‘i is scheduled to have a Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) ship on the island five out of seven days per week.
“The business impact due to the overall increase in cruise-ship days, coupled with dockside hours spent on Kaua‘i, will be dramatic,” said Jasper.
The Anchor Cove owner added that the actual “dockside” hours spent by ships on the island will increase by over 70 percent. Jasper relates this increase to the NCL’s Pride of America staying overnight on the island.
On July 5, 2004, the Pride of America will begin overnight stays each Monday.
“For the past few years, many of the merchants down here have been working in anticipation of the added ships,” said Nawiliwili Tavern owner Jay Geffert.
“I think we will be able to handle it (the added customer traffic). It is going to be a nice little port here.
“We are looking forward to the added business,” he noted.
“Until some of them stay overnight, there probably won’t be much of a change (in tavern business),” said Geffert. “But right now, we have noticed a lot more people running around down here.”
One of the biggest benefits of the added ship schedule could be an increase in customer traffic throughout Kaua‘i businesses, specifically those near the harbor.
State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism statistics show cruise-ship passengers spend on average over $80 per person per day when ships dock at each Hawai‘i port.
With the ships scheduled to call on Nawiliwili carrying nearly 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew each, that could easily mean a boost to the Kaua‘i economy of $160,000 every day a ship docks at Nawiliwili.
Since Sept. 23, Nawiliwili Harbor has been busy handling an abundance of cruise ships in addition to vessels from Matson and Young Brothers.
Approximately 10 cruise ships have called at the harbor since late September, and approximately 118 cruise vessels will have docked at the harbor by the end of 2003.
According to Nawiliwili Harbormaster Bob Crowell, the pier should be able to handle the added ships.
“Up to now we have not had any additional conflicts,” said Crowell. “We believe that the ships that call here on a weekly basis will not be a problem for us.”
Crowell added that there is a contingency plan if conflicts should arise.
“Right now, we have a consultant on board to look into any issues that may change (boat) traffic down here.”
One of the issues that should not be a problem is if two larger cruise ships (965-foot vessels) dock on the same day a Matson or Young Brothers barge arrives.
Based on the 2004 Nawiliwili Harbor ship-arrival schedule, the aforementioned situation would not happen.
According to Scott Ishikawa of the state Department of Transportation, ship schedules are put in place approximately 18 months in advance of each calendar year.
Business Editor Barry Graham may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or mailto:bgrahm@pulitzer.net.
