NAWILIWILI — There were no Native Hawaiian protesters in sight, only Kauaians very happy to greet the maiden arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of Aloha cruise ship yesterday morning at Nawiliwili Harbor. Ervin Contrades, operations manager at Ohana Helicopters,
NAWILIWILI — There were no Native Hawaiian protesters in sight, only Kauaians very happy to greet the maiden arrival of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of Aloha cruise ship yesterday morning at Nawiliwili Harbor.
Ervin Contrades, operations manager at Ohana Helicopters, was juggling his cell phone while coordinating shuttle service for the 12 visitors an hour coming off the ship with reservations to fly with his company.
After a “soft” June, the overnighting cruise ship virtually guarantees Ohana a strong summer, as the company enjoys contracts with NCL, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and other companies bringing cruise-ship passengers to Nawiliwili by the thousands, Contrades said.
Leina‘ala Pavao, kumu hula of Halau Ka Lei Mokihana ‘O Leina‘ala, said she is hopeful county officials continue to call her up to provide dancers for the cruise-ship arrivals. She was asked by the ship’s photo-grapher to have some of her dancers available this morning to say “aloha” to passengers who will board the ship for a 1 p.m. departure for Honolulu, she said.
If state statistics hold true, the roughly 2,000 passengers on board the Pride of Aloha will spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $200,000 on Kaua‘i each time the ship arrives, which beginning next week will be each Monday at 7 a.m., overnighting on Kaua‘i, then departing each Tuesday at 1 p.m.
And that’s not counting the expenditures on the island of the crew of around 1,000.
A pair of visitors came off the ship with vouchers to take a wilderness tour and swim, with the vouchers valued at over $200.
Closer to the ship, some young Kaua‘i beauty queens passed out orchids and “Kauai Loves You” buttons to appreciative guests. The queens are Kayla Johnson, 5, Tiny Miss Kauai 2004; Kyrie Johnson, 7, Little Miss Kauai 2004; Mischa Acoba, 10, Young Miss Kauai 2004; and Jorey Cantu, 12, Miss Petite Kauai 2004.
They were joined by Pete Peterson of Wailua Homesteads, proudly wearing his “official greeter” button.
Most of the Hawai‘i residents who are crew on Pride of Aloha are from O‘ahu, said Matt Rubin, the Pride of Aloha’s port and cruise consultant. He has called on Kaua‘i with the Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Wind and Norwegian Star, so feels he knows the island.
He said the overnighting of the Pride of Aloha gives crew members ample opportunity to get off the ship and experience the island’s night life, shopping and activities. The crew will be frequenting local establishments, pointed in right directions by the few crew members who have Kaua‘i roots or connections, Rubin said.
The ship’s Hawaiian ambassador on board is Kaua‘i native Kawika Niau.
The shuttle driver for Harbor Mall said the free van service would continue until 9 p.m. yesterday, and predicted Nawiliwili Tavern would get much business last night.
Beginning today, Thursday, July 1, the parking along fence lines near Kauai Petroleum will no longer be available for taxis or any other vehicles, as tighter security protocols take effect. Where the taxi drivers will wait for potential fares on boat days after today has not yet been determined.
Onboard, the guest rooms have been totally redone in Hawaiian motifs, Rubin said.
Paul C. Curtis, associate editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net
