Volume VIII, No. 5 Waikiki Improvement Association Feb 1, 2007 — Feb 8, 2007
Waikiki Wiki-Wiki Wire Groundhog Day February 2nd Legislature Considers Taskforce to Develop a “Tourism Economic District” in Waikiki
Up for consideration in the Legislature this The first hearing on HB 569 took place on year is HB 569 RELATING TO TOURISM. Wednesday, January 31, 2007, before the Committee HB 569 would create a task force to on Tourism & Culture. Testifying before the committee investigate the development of a tourism were representatives from HTA, the Governor’s economic district in Waikiki. The intent of Tourism Liaison, the Hawaii Hotel & Hospitality the bill is to facilitate the enhancement of Association, and the Waikiki Improvement Waikiki as a visitor destination. It mentions fast-track Association. zoning, infrastructure development, mixed land use, Rick Egged, president of WIA, testified in general and the use of tax incentives as various methods the support of HB 569. Egged noted that “the bill task force should consider. recognizes the importance of tourism in Hawaii’s The task force would consist of individuals economy and pinpoints the ongoing revitalization of representing: (1) the Department of Business, Waikiki as a worthy process.” He also stated that “the Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT); (2) the revitalization of Waikiki is a huge success story” but “. Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA); (3) the Governor’s . . there are still areas of Waikiki that remain in need Office; (4) the Office of the Mayor of the City and of redevelopment.” County of Honolulu; (5) the Council of the City and Egged praised the bill for acknowledging the County of Honolulu; (6) the chairpersons, or their prominent role of the City by including representatives designees, of the legislative standing committees of both the Council and the Mayor on the taskforce. overseeing tourism affairs in the Senate and the He concluded his testimony by stating “WIA would be House of Representatives, respectively; (7) the Waikiki happy to work with the legislature on the forming of a Improvement Association; (8) the Waikiki task force aimed at creating incentives that would help Neighborhood Board; (9) visitor industry businesses or extend the makeover of Waikiki’s thirty plus year old associations; and (10) the general public. visitor plant.” The task force would be required to submit its After hearing testimony, the Committee on report by December 31, 2007. The task force itself Tourism & Culture voted unanimously to recommend would terminate on June 30, 2008. that the bill be passed unamended. HB 569 was introduced by Representatives The full text of HB 569 is available at Yamane, Brower, Karamatsu, Manahan, Yamashita, http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/Bills/ and Say. It has been referred to the Committee on HB569_.htm. Tourism & Culture (TAC) and the Committee on Finance (FIN).
Inside this issue:
HTA Announces Pro Bowl Week Events 2 Cheesecake Factory a Hit with the Japanese 6
HHV Celebrates Super Bowl XLI and Pro Bowl 5 Beachwalk Bypass Update 7
Outrigger Waikiki Guests Ride High-Tech Surfboards 5 Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Launches Honeymoon Registry 8
L’Occitane En Provence Holds Grand Opening 6 Kuhio Beach Torch Lighting and Hula Show DAILY! 9
HTA ANNOUNCES PUBLIC EVENTS FOR THE 2007 NFL PRO BOWL WEEK
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), the state’s tourism agency, and the National Football League (NFL) have announced the week long schedule of public events and festivities that will lead up to Pro Bowl on Saturday, February 10, 2007. Events will be held statewide and are open to the public.
February 7 WEDNESDAY 12:00 p.m. Pro Bowl Week Kick-Off Rally at Bishop Square Kick off the 2007 Pro Bowl Week with a celebration featuring NFL stars, cheerleaders, entertainment, and dignitaries. Admission Free.
February 8 THURSDAY 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Pro Bowl Football Festival at Kapi‘olani Park Presented by The Paradise Yellow Pages and the City and County of Honolulu, this festival promises football fun for the entire family – free autographs, interactive games, official souvenirs and fan contests. Admission Free.
3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Military Challenge A traditional competition featuring teams from each branch of the military testing their football skills. Admission Free.
February 9 FRIDAY 9:00 a.m. – Noon Pro Bowl ‘Ohana Day Celebration at Aloha Stadium Presented by The Paradise Yellow Pages and GP Roadway Solutions, ‘Ohana Day is an event that gives more than 10,000 local and mainland fans the opportunity to see both AFC and NFC Pro Bowl teams practice. The NFL wanted to expand on the momentum of last year’s event to include a special educational program for fifth grade boys and girls from the Honolulu School District. The on- field activities will provide the motivational centerpiece to an inspiring educational program featuring local dignitaries, NFL players and NFL staff members speaking about the importance of a healthy, drug-free, lifestyle and the integration of core curriculum subjects in the production of an NFL game. Admission Free.
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12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Pro Bowl Football Festival The festival continues at Kapi‘olani Park, offering football fun for the entire family including interactive football-themed games, autographs, souvenirs, and entertainment. Admission Free.
1:00 p.m. Pro Bowl Celebrity Golf Classic at Wai‘alae Country Club This charity golf tournament teams NFL players with celebrities and other participants. Proceeds from the golf tournament benefit Hawai‘i’s NFL YET Center and another designated local charity. For more information, contact Nick Nicolosi at (201) 489-0049 or [email protected].
7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Pro Bowl All-Star Block Party at Kalākaua Avenue A new event during Pro Bowl week is the Pro Bowl Block Party, a joint venture with the City and County of Honolulu that will enable locals and visitors alike to experience the excitement of the Pro Bowl and celebrate the end of the NFL season. The event will feature five entertainment stages, NFL players, cheerleaders, great food and more. Admission Free.
February 10 SATURDAY 10:00a.m.-12:30p.m. Official Pro Bowl Tailgate Party at Richardson Field This event which takes place prior to the game at Richardson Field, across from Aloha Stadium, allows fans to mingle with former Pro Bowl players, NFL team mascots, cheerleaders, and celebrities. This year’s Pro Bowl Tailgate Party will feature an array of delectable cuisine from around the world. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster outlets, the Blaisdell box office and Mokihana Travel on Kaua‘i. To charge tickets by phone call (877) 750-4400.
10:00a.m.-12:30p.m. Aloha Zone at Aloha Stadium Parking Lot 1 C&D Aloha Zone is a game-day tailgate celebration that will take place at the Aloha Stadium Parking lots (1C-D). This event will includeentertainment, food and beverage, and Official Pro Bowl souvenirs. Admission Free.
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12:15 p.m. Pro Bowl Pregame Show at Aloha Stadium Get into the stadium early to experience the spectacular pageantry of the NFL All-Star Game.
1:00 p.m. 2007 NFL Pro Bowl Game at Aloha Stadium Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster outlets, the Blaisdell box office and Mokihana Travel on Kaua‘i. To charge tickets by phone call (877) 750-4400.
7:00 p.m. Sunset on the Beach Pro Bowl Style at Queen’s Beach A featured football movie, Gridiron Gang, right on the beach – the perfect post-game stop. Admission Free.
“We are pleased to be a sponsor of the 2007 Pro Bowl through our Sporting Events Program and welcome it back to Hawai‘i for the 28th consecutive year,” said Rex Johnson, HTA president and chief executive officer. “Each year the Pro Bowl generates significant national media exposure and contributes to our economy through visitor spending and tax collections. Equally important, is the strong partnership with NFL which provides other important benefits such as the NFL Youth Clinics throughout the State, the NFL Player Visits to our armed forces, and the NFL’s charitable contributions to youth and community service organizations in Hawai‘i of more than $3.5 million over the past 10 years.”
For more information about the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl and the public events scheduled, go to www.nfl.com/probowl or call the Pro Bowl Hotline at 233-4NFL.
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Special Menus and Barbecues at Hilton Hawaiian Village Highlight Super Bowl XLI and Pro Bowl Celebrations
Whether you’re a Bears fan, a conferences is scheduled for Saturday, February 10 at Colts fan, or just a fan, there’ll be Aloha Stadium. plenty to cheer about at the Hilton The 2007 Pro Bowl will also mark the return of the Hawaiian Village® Beach Resort & Hilton Hawaiian Village’s ultra-popular souvenir at the Spa as the NFL season winds Tropics Bar: a specially designed 54-ounce souvenir down. football-shaped cup that will be offered from February For Super Bowl XLI on Sunday, 5 to 11, while supplies last. Guests can choose February 4, the Hilton will host a between soft drinks for $14 and a special Pro Bowl Super Bowl Barbecue at the Tapa punch for $18. Concourse beginning at 11:30 Guests can get into the Pro Bowl spirit at two a.m. A menu of hot dogs, barbecues by the Super Pool, scheduled for 11:30 hamburgers, chicken sandwiches a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, February 9 and Sunday, and chicken fingers will be February 11. The barbecue menu includes choices available. In addition, there will be four large-screen such as barbecue guava chicken sandwich, televisions set up at the Tapa Bar for guests to enjoy cheeseburger, hamburger, jumbo hot dog and the big game between the Chicago Bears and the pepperoni pizza. Indianapolis Colts. For room reservations, call toll-free at 1-800- On Monday, February 5, Pro Bowl Week 2007 HILTONS (1-800-445-8667) from the U.S. and officially kicks off at the hotel as NFL Pro Bowl Canada, call the resort directly at (808) 949-4321, or merchandise and souvenirs will be available on visit www.hilton.com. For more information on Hilton property. Merchandise will be available at the Hawaiian Village and the Hilton ohana in Hawaii, visit following locations: Village Green behind the Honolulu www.hiltonhawaii.com. Cookie Company (February 5-10) and the Tropics Showroom in the Ali‘i Tower (February 6-13). The game featuring all-stars from the NFL’s NFC and AFC
Outrigger Waikiki’s “Room and Board” Package Lets Guests Ride High-Tech Boards at Famed Waikiki Beach
If you want to learn how to surf, there’s no better images taken during one of the lessons. The surf place to do just that than famed Waikiki Beach, where lessons and board rentals can also be shared among surf legend Duke Kahanamoku and legions of other two, three or four people, making it a flexible option Waikiki beach boys once hung out. for families or couples. Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach has introduced a All of the rental surfboards in this program were new “Room and Board” package specially designed for designed by legendary Surftech shaper, Donald the "wanna-learn-to-surf" set, thanks to a lifelong love Takayama. Renowned for their technology and of the waves by another Waikiki beach boy of sorts: exceptional designs, Surftech has produced boards Dr. Chuck Kelley, whose family founded Outrigger used by many of the top surfers in the world including Hotels & Resorts in Waikiki in 1947. Shane Dorian, Pancho Sullivan, Matt Rockhold, Tom Carroll, Myles Padaca and Jason “Ratboy” Collins, “I have been surfing my whole life, ever since my among others. father taught me as a little kid,” Kelley said. “I grew up surfing in Waikiki, and in the hotel business. We For reservations or information, call toll free 800- have great surfboard racks at the Outrigger Waikiki OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444) within the United and I love sharing the hotel, surfboards, racks and my States, Guam and Canada. Outrigger’s toll-free favorite surf spot, Waikiki Beach, with our guests.” number is available internationally via AT&T’s Direct 800 Service. Elsewhere call direct to 303-369-7777 In addition to four nights accommodations, (long distance charges apply). Or, visit Outrigger Waikiki’s “Room and Board” package www.outriggerwaikiki.com or e-mail includes four hours of surf lessons, eight hours of board rental, and a complimentary CD of digital [email protected].
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L’Occitane En Provence Holds Grand Opening
L’Occitane en Provence, French skincare, bodycare L’Occitane is dedicated to recreating the colors, and fragrance retailer, held its grand opening on scents and traditions of Provence by developing Saturday, January 27. Located in the heart of the beauty, skincare, and fragrance products for men, retail arcade atrium on the ground floor of the Royal women and the home. L’Occitane stands true to its Hawaiian Shopping Center’s Building B, this 1,132 sq. longstanding commitment to the Provence region, ft. boutique is the second Hawai‘i location. humanitarian aid and the fight to protect the natural environment. To commemorate the event, L’Occitane gave the first 100 customers special Lucky or “Fukubukuro” Bags, filled with L’Occitane favorites at half off its $100 value. Fukubukuro originated in Japan as a New Year’s Day custom and has since caught on with many popular retailers throughout the United States.
Cheesecake Factory a Hit with Japanese
Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center foot traffic is This is the fourth consecutive year that the sure to remain brisk, as the Japanese public has ONOLICIOUS survey has been conducted and that voted The Cheesecake Factory the “most popular” awards have been given by PacRim Marketing Group, restaurant in Hawaii for Japanese travelers. Inc. and Diamond Big Corporation, publisher of the annual Chikyu no Arukikata Hawaii Globetrotter The Cheesecake Factory, located at the Royal Travel Guide Book for the Japanese market. The Hawaiian Shopping Center, and the nation’s top survey questionnaire is posted annually on the grossing Cheesecake Factory with more than $20 www.hawaii-arukikata.com , the largest and most million in sales last year, nabbed three ONOLICIOUS popular commercial Japanese web site on Hawaii, readers’ awards in a recent contest based on a survey viewed by nearly 20,000 people in Japan each day and of Japanese travelers. Survey results published in the consistently ranked in the top listings for the largest annual Japanese Hawaii Globetrotter Travel Guide search engines on Hawaii in Japanese, including Book show that Cheesecake Factory was voted the Google and Yahoo! Japan. best in three categories: “Best Taste,” “Restaurant for Families,” and “Restaurant Overall,” making it the Survey respondents can select from a list of two most popular restaurant, overall, amongst survey hundred restaurants (or write in a restaurant name) respondents. and then vote for one in each of five themes: “Most Delicious;” “Great for Families;” “Great Place for “Japanese usually prefer smaller portions, but The Lunch;” Great Places for Dinner” and “Great Places for Cheesecake Factory proves that great food and Sweets” Points are tallied across all categories to atmosphere at reasonable prices attract the create the “Best Ten.” Japanese,” said Dave Erdman, president of PacRim Marketing Group, Inc., sponsor of the on-line Of the survey respondents in 2006, 26 percent ONOLICIOUS survey and owner of the Hawaii- were men and 74 percent were women. The average arukikata.com website on which it appears. age for the male respondents was around 40. The average age for the women is estimated at 34. The ONOLICIOUS Awards were given to The median number of visits to Hawaii for all respondents Cheesecake Factory and other Honolulu restaurants was an average of two, but more than 150 people said based on responses from 1,526 Japanese answering they had been to Hawaii ten times, while over 200 an on-line questionnaire in 2006. Other popular people said they had been to Hawaii more than fifteen restaurants included Eggs ‘n Things, Mariposa, Alan times. Forty-six percent of the respondents said they Wong’s, and Leonard’s Bakery that ranked 5th overall had traveled to Hawaii with their family; 26 percents but first place for “great places for sweets” category. said they traveled with their spouse; and 17 percent Past ONOLICIOUS Award winners include Eggs-N- said they traveled with a friend. Things, Mariposa and the Hanohano room. Eggs-N- For more information on the “ONOLICIOUS Things ranked number one in the past three years in Awards” (in Japanese), go to www.hawaii- the overall category but fell to 2nd place this year. arukikata.com or contact PacRim Marketing Group at Yummy’s Korean BBQ has also consistently ranked in 949-4592. the top five positions during the past three contests.
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Microtunneling Pit Work Continues (from www.beachwalkbypass.com, Jan. 29, 2007 update)
Contractors made significant progress on the two pits that will be used to launch and receive a special microtunneling machine under the Ala Wai Canal and Kaiolu Street in Waikiki. Workers poured a concrete floor in the mauka pit, located near the Ala Wai Community Gardens. A final pour is scheduled this week. Next week workers expect to lower a special ten-foot long machine into that pit, and prepare to tunnel underground, pulling with it a series of new wastewater pipes pushed with jacks from behind. Excavation continues in the makai pit, at the corner of Kuhio Avenue and Kaiolu Street. Two walers have been installed, a third will be installed in the coming days. This is the pit that will receive the microtunneling machine, and hook up the pipes to the secondary water line that broke this time, and no Beachwalk Pump Station. sewage was discharged. Workers also continued jet grouting operations on The big sewage break last March triggered the Kaiolu Street to strengthen the subsurface soils before Beachwalk Wastewater Emergency Bypass project, the sewer pipe is installed below ground. launched last May. Jet grouting involves drilling deep holes and The BWEB project has already resulted in the installing underground cement pillars. The jet construction of a temporary bypass line that can be grouting on Kaiolu Street will run typically from 6am activated in the event of another break in the aging to 6pm with occasional later shifts to finish jet grout sewer line. Those pumps and pipes along both sides of columns in progress. the Ala Wai Canal are temporary, and will be removed On Friday, Jan. 26, workers conducting jet once the permanent line is finished this summer. grouting hit a lateral water pipe, causing a temporary For further information, call 808-543-8374 or visit interruption in water service to one condominium on www.beachwalkbypass.com. Lewers Street. The pipe was repaired, and water service was restored early Saturday morning. Some Kaiolu Street residents initially thought it was another break in the sewer line, bringing back memories from last March when an aging sewer pipe burst, resulting in the discharge of 48 million gallons of wastewater into the Ala Wai Canal. But it was a
Waikiki Road Work: Curb Ramps at Horbon Lane & Holomoana Street, Ena Road & Kalakaua Avenue, Koa Avenue & Liliuokalani Avenue, Kapahulu Avenue & Makee Road, Kapahulu Avenue & Campbell Avenue, Kapahulu Avenue & Kanaina Avenue: Construct new curb ramps, sidewalks and AC transition. Install pavement striping, markings and markers. Upgrade the traffic signal system. (Estimated completion date, May 2007)
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Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Launches Honeymoon Registry
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts has launched an Couples pay no fees to sign up for the registry online honeymoon registry service powered by service, which includes a free wedding webpage, free TheBigDay.com. Wedding couples choosing Outrigger wedding webpage announcement cards, and a free or OHANA properties for their honeymoon are email account for organizing their wedding-related provided with a “registry wizard” that helps them correspondence. Couples who book their honeymoon create a wedding registry where the items on the to an Outrigger or OHANA property through Pleasant registry are activities and experiences they will enjoy Holidays receive a discount on the service fees on their honeymoon at the particular Outrigger or charged on gifts bought from their registries. OHANA property where they will be staying. Wedding Normally, a 9% service charge is deducted from the guests then have the opportunity to purchase a part gifts bought, but couples who book at least $2000 of their honeymoon experience as a wedding gift that have their service charge reduced to 3.5%, and the lucky couple will remember forever. Couples are couples who book $3500 or more pay no service fee at notified of gifts bought from their registry by email all. “In fact, most of our customers get their and (optionally) also via text messages sent to their honeymoon registry pay no service fee,” says Michael cell phones. Cottam, president of TheBigDay, “and as our customers receive an average of about $2000 in gifts Assistance with booking their honeymoon travel is from their honeymoon registry, they’re able to make provided by Pleasant Holidays. Couples can either their dream honeymoon a reality.” book their travel online, or take advantage of travel consultation provided by Pleasant Holiday’s travel To sign up for the honeymoon registry or find out experts. more, couples visit www.outrigger.com and click on "Specials and Offers." From there, they click on “Gift "We're very excited to partner with The Big Day Registry for an Outrigger Destination Honeymoon.” and Pleasant Holidays to make honeymooning in The gift registry can also be accessed from individual Hawaii with Outrigger an even more memorable experience," said Rob Solomon, Outrigger's senior vice Outrigger and OHANA property pages. president of sales and marketing. "The honeymoon registry is a wonderful way for family and friends to ensure the happy couple has the best honeymoon they can."
Honolulu Zoo Society Offers Twilight Tours
What's Wild in Waikiki? Take a stroll to the Honolulu Zoo and learn the sort of monkey business that goes on after hours. Learn about the lives of the Zoo's remarkable citizens. Tours are held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Saturday evening! It's a fun evening of education never experienced by day visitors. Special arrangements can be made for large groups. Families are welcome. The tours are appropriate for all ages 5 to 105! Please purchase tickets in advance from the Honolulu Zoo Society (HZS) by calling 971-7195. Walk-ups are welcome if space is available - meet at the Front Entrance at 5:15pm. See www.honzoosoc.org for info.
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Kuhio Beach Torch Lighting and Hula Show DAILY!
Torch lighting, Hawaiian music and hula shows Saturday, February 3: Shirley Recca and Halau Hula are performed daily 6:30PM – 7:30PM at the Kuhio 'O Namakahulali Beach Hula Mound, near the Duke Kahanamoku Sunday, February 4: James Dela Cruz and Na 'Opio statue. FREE. Presented by the City’s Office of Me Na Kupuna O Ko'olau Economic Development (843-8002) and the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Schedule subject to change without notice. For the month of February: Mondays & Tuesdays: "Auntie Pudgie" Young & Hawaiian Serenaders Wednesdays: Ainsley Halemanu and Ka Liko O Kapalai Thursdays: Val Crabbe and Halau Hula Palena Friday, February 2: Kale Pawai and Halau Na Pua Mai Ka Lani Waikiki Parade Watch (courtesy of the City)
February 4, 2007 Sunday HAROLD CHAPSON 8K RUN sponsored by Mid-Pacific Road Runners Club. 7:00AM Starts The event is expected to have 200 runners. It will start at Kapiolani Park 8:30AM Ends Bandstand at Monsarrat Ave., to Kalakaua Ave., to Diamond Hd Rd., to Kahala Ave., to Paikau St., counterclockwise around Triangle Park, to Diamond Hd Rd., to Kalakaua Ave., to finish at Hon. Marathon Finish Line. Contact John Simonds 373-3609 E-mail: [email protected]
February 9, 2007 Friday PRO BOWL BLOCK PARTY sponsored by City & County of Honolulu. The 6:00PM Starts event is expected to have 5,000+ participants. The event will close Kalakaua 11:00PM Ends Avenue all traffic lanes/sidewalk areas, from Kaiulani Avenue to Kapahulu Avenue. Traffic will be diverted starting 5:30 pm for setup. Contact: Isaac Hokama 527-6090, Fax: 523-4242. E-mail: [email protected]
March 3, 2007 Saturday 9th ANNUAL FT. DERUSSY BIATHLON sponsored by Hale Koa Hotel. The 7:00AM Starts event is expected to have 300 participants. Swim: Out and back course Ft. 11:00AM Ends DeRussy Beach. Run: From swim finish transition area to Saratoga Rd. sidewalk, to Kalia Rd., to Army Museum, to Ft. DeRussy, to Paoa Pl, to end at transition area. Contact: Kelly Hupp 955-9151, Fax: 955-9122, E-mail: [email protected]
The above is based on the most current information available from the event organizers as of the date of this publication. For more information, call the Department of Transportation Services, 808-527-6009.
If you would like to share news with other Waikiki Improvement Association members of WIA, please send your info to [email protected] or fax to 923-2622. 2255 Kuhio Avenue, Suite 760 Honolulu, HI 96815 Check out our website at: Phone: 808-923-1094 Fax: 808-923-2622 www.waikikiimprovement.com
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