 Around The Island
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Inter-Island Ferry Begins in 2006
The proposed inter-island ferry is now projected to begin service in 2006. Recently, a similar smaller ship, The Spirit of Ontario, docked at Nawiliwili for viewing. Visitors climbed aboard and saw fist class lounges, restaurants, gift shops and a small movie theater. When the new ship is placed into service, it will accommodate 600 passengers and 200 vehicles. The travel time to Oahu will be about three hours.
Stadium To Be Improved
Governor Linda Lingle has released funds to rubberize the track at Vidinha Stadium in Lihue. Plans call for completion during the first part of 2005. The announcement has resuscitated plans to build a sports complex at the stadium. There is interest in reviving plans for baseball and football stadium expansion, as well as a tennis facility with night lighting.
Sheraton Hotel Purchased
Starwood Hotels and Resorts have purchased the Sheraton Kauai Resort from Obayashi Corporation for $40 million. Starwood owns the Sheraton brand, as well as Westin and Leading Hotels Of The World. Here in the Hawaiian Islands, The Lodge at Koele and the Manele Bay Hotel on Lanai are both in the Leading Hotels Of The World Group.Starwood is also in the planning stages of developing land overlooking Anini Beach. Plans call for a 300 unit timeshare development.
Airline News
Hawaiian Airlines has announced plans to begin flying to New Zealand and Australia, beginning in August. United has increased it's staffing at the Lihue airport. American Trans Air (ATA) will begin daily service from Honolulu to Seattle and will increase flights from both San Francisco and Los Angeles due to strong demand in the Hawaiian market. And, for the summer months, American Airlines is adding one additional daily flight from Los Angeles to Lihue.
Aloha Airlines has sold their Aloha Island Air unit to an investment group in Pasadena. For those that have not had the pleasure of traveling on Island Air, the company operates a fleet of Dash 8 turbo prop planes, affectionately known as "puddle jumpers" by some. The planes carry about 35 passengers and concentrate on the airports not heavily serviced by Hawaiian or Aloha. The California group plans to continue operating the company as it is. Aloha has also requested approval to fly to Washington, D.C.
Kikiaola Boat Harbor to be Upgraded
Congress has approved $3.6 million dollars for improvements to the small boat harbor at Kikiaola on the west side of Kauai. The money will benefit the Na Pali tour boat companies operating out of the harbor as well as local boaters.
Planning Commission Approves Kukui'ula Development
Alexander and Baldwin's plans for their 3,000 acres of land in Poipu known as Kukui'ula (extra credit if you can pronounce it) have gained the approval of the County of Kauai Planning Commission. Final approval will now be in the hands of the Kauai County Council, and when approved as seems now likely, will mark the end of over 20 years of work in bringing this project to market.
A&B will limit total development to 1,500 units (down from the previously approved 3,000). In addition to residential lots, a 64 unit boutique hotel, an 18 hole golf course, recreational facilities, plus 26 acres for parks, open spaces and commercial use are planned.
Visitor Industry, Real Estate and Construction Power Kauai Economy
In 2003, 972,000 visitors spent one billion dollars on Kauai. The current construction boom on our island has made the visitor industry, real estate and construction the top three contributors to the island's economy. Five years ago visitors spent $4 for every $1 of real estate and construction spending. In 2003 those numbers changed dramatically, with every $4 in tourist spending equal to $3.85 in real estate and construction.
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