Maui Visitor Spending Grows, Arrivals Flat

By Sonia Isotov
Article from: MauiNow.com

Total expenditures by Maui visitors in the first nine months of 2011 increased by 15.1%, compared to the same period last year, to $2,370.5 million, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Total visitor days for Maui visitors only rose 4.2% and total arrivals (+4.5%) continued to surpass last year at 1,640,498 visitors.

For the month of September 2011, total visitor expenditures for Maui grew 16.4% ($225.9 million) from September 2010 to $194.0 million. Contributing to the increase was higher daily spending by all visitors ($194.9 per person, up from $176.2 per person in September 2010) and a 4.7% growth in total arrivals to 159,359 visitors.

“Visitor spending grew to more than $1 billion in September, an increase of 19.7%, with visitors from every major market area spending more and staying longer than in 2010. We are also pleased that these increases are being seen throughout all of the four major islands, with year-to-date total visitor expenditures reaching $9.3 billion in 2011,” said Mike McCartney, president and chief executive officer, Hawaii Tourism Authority, in a written statement.

Total visitor days for all visitors rose 4.2% and total arrivals (+2.7%) continued to surpass last year at 5,446,393 visitors. Contributing to the statewide increase was higher daily spending by all visitors ($199 per person, up from $176 per person in September 2010) and a 4% growth in total arrivals to 560,707 visitors.

After six straight months of losses, Japanese arrivals grew slightly by 0.8%. Arrivals from US West (+2%) and US East (+4.4%) also increased following three months of declines.

Continued McCartney, “September’s growth included the continued increase in Japanese visitor spending, as well as an increase in visitor arrivals, the first of such increases in six months. And we are hopeful that the uptick in arrivals is a sign of recovery of the Japan market.”

Statewide, arrivals by air only in September 2011 rose 4.7% from last September to 553,068 visitors, with increases from all top four visitor markets. Arrivals from Canada climbed 23%, the fifteenth consecutive month of double-digit growth.

“We anticipate this momentum to continue through the fourth quarter of 2011 and into 2012, with increases in airlift out of Japan, Canada, Korea and Australia through new and established airlines. We are excited to welcome Asiana Airlines with direct service from Honolulu to Incheon, Korea, Strategic Airlines servicing both Brisbane and Melbourne to Honolulu, and Allegiant Airlines servicing the US West region, into the Hawai’i market,” said McCartney.

“We are very encouraged with the increases in visitor spending, arrivals and air seats as we head towards the end of the year. Together with Hawaii’s visitor industry partners, we will remain vigilant and focused to reach our targets, set at $12.6 billion in visitor spending and 7.5 million visitor arrivals for 2011.”

Boost Expected With Return of Maui Makani Classic

By Wendy Osher
Article from: Mauinow.com

One-hundred world class windsurfers converge at Ho`okipa Beach Park next week for the championship leg of the American Windsurfing Tour.

The Maui Makani Classic kicks off on October 27 and runs until November 1, marking a return of the sport to Ho`okipa, the international mecca of the windsurfing world.

“There is no better place for windsurfing than right here on Maui, and we are proud to be hosting world class events once more,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa. “What Halloween does for Lahaina, big windsurfing events will do for Paia. We’re going to get our economy going one town at a time if we have to,” he said.

Competitors will be traveling to Maui from more than 20 counties including Argentina, Chili, China, South Korea, Morocco, Ireland and Japan.

The event is also expected to attract hundreds of spectators from Maui and abroad.

In an effort to help with traffic congestion, free event parking will be provided at the Old Maui High School in Hamakuapoko, with free shuttle bus services provided by the Maui County Veterans Association and the Disabled American Veterans. No parking will be allowed on the sides of the highway.

In addition to the windsurfing competition, other Makani Classic events to include the following:

■Makani Classic opening night party at the Kahului Ale House, October 26, 8 p.m.
■Makani Classic Opening Ceremony, Ho`okipa Beach Park, Oct. 27, 10 a.m.
■Goya and Quatro Party, Pauwela Cannery in Haiku, 6 to 10 p.m.
■Fourth Friday in Paia, 6 to 9 p.m.
■Maui Ultra Lounge Party, Neil Pryde in Kahului, 6 to 9 p.m.
■Pizza with the Pros, Flatbread Pizza in Paia, 6 to 10 p.m.
■Makani Classic closing ceremonies, hosted by Maui Babe and held at the Maui Tropical Plantation, featuring entertainment, food, cash bar and award presentations, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m., tickets $10 per person.
For more information, visit: http://www.americanwindsurfingtour.com.

XTERRA Moves From South Maui to Kapalua

By Wendy Osher
Article from: MauiNow.com

The 2011 XTERRA World Championship makes a venue change this year, moving from the volcanic vistas of South Maui to the verdant terrain of the Kapalua Resort. The new locale is situated along the northwest coast in the backyard of the 22,000-acre Maui Land & Pineapple Company property.

The world’s premier off-road triathlon event will utilize the Village Walking Trails at the old Village Golf Course for the running and biking portions of the event. The swimming leg of the race takes place at D.T. Fleming Beach located just north of The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua resort.

The brand new course boasts equally grueling conditions with a 1.5-kilometer (1 mile) roughwater swim, followed by a 29.5-kilometer (18.3 mile) mountain bike on the lower slopes of the West Maui Mountains, and a 9.8-kilometer (6.1-mile) trail run.

The 16th Annual XTERRA World Championship field includes a capacity field of 650 athletes from 28 countries and 42 US states including professionals and amateurs.

The championship race takes place at 9 a.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2011.

Event organizers say the first place athlete is expected to finish at approximately 11:30 a.m.

The spectator area will be along Fleming Beach and the Transition Area/Finish Line on the poolside lawn at The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.

Event parking is at the ball field behind the preschool at Kapalua.

Leading up to the Championship event, is a series of amateur events on Saturday, October 22, including: Duke’s Beach House XTERRA 10K, the Hula Grill XTERRA 5K, and the Kimo’s Keiki K for kids ten and under. The 10K and 5K races are open to all, and benefit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Maui County.

Wailuku Friday Events Extend to Lahaina, Paia, Makawao

By Wendy Osher
Article from: Mauinow.com

The County of Maui Office of Economic Development will unveil a new initiative this week that will expand the successful Wailuku First Friday event into a four-Friday-per-month, island-wide event.

“Wailuku merchants have done a fantastic job revitalizing their businesses with their First Friday celebration,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa. “It’s time we duplicate their success in other towns across the county,” said Arakawa.

Following in the footsteps of Wailuku’s successful “First Friday,” and Paia’s “Fourth Friday” celebrations, Maui County is now partnering with coordinators in Lahaina and Makawao for similar events.

The overall concept of The Maui Friday Town Parties will be unveiled early next month, along with a website and logos for each town event.

“These events will spur local people and visitors to go to our small towns and enjoy the historic and unique nature of these business communities,” said Mayor Arakawa.

The Maui town party schedule starting November 4th will be as follows: Wailuku – First Friday, Lahaina – Second Friday, Makawao – Third Friday, Paia – Fourth Friday.

***Check back for details to be unveiled by the county in the first week of November.

On November 22, 2011 I am getting my long awaited (years in the making) meeting with the Maui Planning Department for my proposed opening of Maui Paintball. To help show community and visitor support for this endeavor please CLICK HERE and sign my on-line petition. In addition to my love of the sport I feel that opening this facility would be of tremendous benefit to those of us who are fortunate enough to call Maui home and those who come to visit. This will be a fully insured and properly supervised enterprise on approximately 10 acres in Olowalu.
Thanks to everyone for their support and please feel free to call me at 808-280-2764 or email me at Clinthansen33@gmail.com with any questions.
Mahalo and Aloha,
Clint Hansen, Realtor (S)
The Hansen Ohana