Biz Briefs for Sunday — May 30, 2004

• Strong Quarter

• More Air Service

• Poipu Beach Villas

• Poipu Beach Hotel

• Beach Restoration

• Brand Development

• Trail Marker

• High Tech

• Ni’ihau protected

• Good Grief Club

Strong Quarter

Visitor arrivals to Kaua‘i were up 2 percent overall for the first quarter of this year. The domestic market increased 2.4 percent and the international market jumped .3 percent. Oahu’s first quarter showed a 5.8 percent increase, while Maui was down 5.6 percent.

The Big Island was also off 3 percent. Those from U.S. West to Kaua‘i were up overall by 2.7 percent, with the “Kaua‘i-only” factor up by 8.6 percent to 57 percent of that market.

U.S. East visitors were up 2.8 percent with an increase of 18.4 percent in the Kaua‘i-only segment (29 percent of that market). Japanese visitors to Kaua‘i were off 8.2 percent but the Kaua‘i-only segment from Japan was up 188.3 percent.

More Air Service

United Airlines is adding a second direct flight from Los Angeles for Saturdays, starting June 4. In addition, they will re-launch their third flight from San Francisco on Saturdays in July, bringing a total of five flights for Saturdays this summer and three flights a day Sunday through Friday. In addition, American Airline’s second daily flight from Los Angeles has already started service. Aloha’s direct flight from Oakland launches early July.

Air seats into Lihue were up 21.8 percent for the month of April, a 18.8 percent bump for scheduled seats and 71.3 percent bump charter seats.

Poipu Beach Villas

A public hearing will be held June 8 before the Kaua‘i County Planning Commission regarding the Poipu Beach Villas, a proposed 323-unit condominium and town home development on the corner of Poipu and Kapili Roads.

With land zoned for over 400 units, the developers are proposing to reduce the unit density while increasing resident density. The buildings will range from two to four stories, with three pools, a recreation complex, small restaurant and registration building.

Poipu Beach Hotel

The public hearing for the re-construction of the Poipu Beach Hotel will be held June 15. Planning commissioners will hear the hotel owner’s plans to establish the resort as a 121-room hotel.

Beach Restoration

Mayor Baptiste, through his Public Works Department, is in the process of lining up the necessary permits to conduct a beach restoration project at Poipu Beach Park. According to Russell Sugano of Public Works, the County hopes to secure permits and launch sand replenishment by late summer or early fall. Brennecke’s restoration will continue, once appropriate sand types are determined.

Brand Development

The Poipu Beach Resort Association is creating a destination brand intended for use by members as a means of extending the positive image of Poipu. Under development by Tsunami Marketing, the materials should be ready for distribution by early summer.

Trail Marker

A 14th Koloa Heritage Trail Marker has been installed to interpret the location of the Kiha Houna Heiau on the ocean side of Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club. A grant from Kaua‘i County and the Hawaii Tourism Authority will help pay for the creation of a new map and interpretive brochure to inform about the additional marker as well as add a webpage to the Koloa Heritage Trail website.

High Tech

High Technology Solutions, Inc. announces the opening of its new office at Dynasty Court, 4473 Pahee Street, Suite N, at the Kukui Grove business complex.

High Technology Solutions (HTS) provides engineering, information technology, and technical services to military agencies, including National Missile Defense and other programs. The company posted $45 million in revenue for 2003 and has 500 employees. It was recently acquired by Wireless Facilities for about $49 million. The Kaua‘i office will concentrate on supporting studies required for the Maritime Directed Energy Test Center (MDETC), a proposed program for the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua‘i. Should the MDETC program come to PMRF, many jobs would become available in the areas of science, electronics and technology, the company said. Part of the charge for the Lihue Office will be focusing on a workforce development initiative, starting with encouraging Kaua‘i’s youth to pursue education and training in technological fields so they can qualify for high-tech jobs on Kaua‘i.

Ni’ihau protected

Governor Lingle signed a law Friday that protects Ni’ihau shell products including the valuable Ni’ihau Shell lei, from unscrupulous counterfeiters by specifically defining what a “Ni’ihau” shell is, and by clarifying that a “Ni’ihau” shell product must be made 100 percent of authentic Ni’ihau shells. The bill also makes provisions for the marketing of Ni’ihau shell products consisting of at least 80 percent Ni’ihau shells. However, such products must be clearly marked with the percentage of authentic shells contained in them.

Good Grief Club

The Kauai Hospice, in partnership with the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center, announced the formation of “The Good Grief Club”, a new peer support group for children ages 9-13 who are currently grieving the death of a loved one. Youth, and their families, will be able to explore their feelings surrounding the death of their loved ones through activities and interactive play while in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Good Grief Club will commence with a family dinner held at the QLCC headquarters on Monday, June 7, 2004 at 5:35 p.m. Registration is required for this free program. For more information, contact Gina Kaulukukui at 245-7277 or Kaui Castillo (QLCC) at 245-1873.