Volume IX, No. 42 Waikīkī Improvement Association October 16—22, 2008 Waikīkī Wiki Wiki Wire 280 Beach Walk Revised Plans Presented Revised plans for 280 Beach Walk were presented at the Waikīkī Neighborhood Board meeting on Tuesday, October 14 held at Waikīkī Community Center. Located at Waikīkī’s west side, the retail development will being enhanced vitality to the heart of Honolulu’s recreational center. In immediate proximity of Ft. DeRussy, the prominent retail storefronts of Kalākaua Avenue, Lewers Street and the new Trump Tower, this project will contribute to an emerging trend of redevelopment that defines a key gateway experience for Honolulu’s most active pedestrian district. 280 Beach Walk will add 31,500 square feet of world-class, lifestyle retail program. Pedestrians will be greeted by a building composed of a series of two-story storefronts, each accentuated by a dramatic glazed-tile roof form that recalls the street-oriented building traditions of Hawai‘i’s earliest places of commerce. 280 Beach Walk will be the first LEED certified retail complex in Waikīkī. The thoughtful design is based on a pedestrian model that brings people landscaping and the build environment together in balance. Energy and water conservations, reduced pollution and low environmental impact materials have all been considered in the design which incorporates some of the following features: rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, state-of-the-art irrigation system, water-efficient fixtures, energy efficient HVAC systems that avoid harmful refrigerants.., low VOC emitting materials bike racks with tenant changing room and shower and land-use efficient underground parking. The Waikīkī Neighborhood Board unanimously supported the 280 Beach Walk project. continued Inside this issue: International Group Of Microwave Engineers 2 Aloha Winter! Hawaii Announces Special Vacation 5 Re-Book Annual Meeting In 2017 The “First Lady Of Waikiki” Announces Its Name Outrigger Enterprises names Darren Edmonstone 3 6 Change To Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa as Senior VP - Asia Jimmy, Gabe, and Betty Loo to Headline Outrigger’s The Equus offering kamaaina ‘Paniolo Special’ 4 7 Na Mele No Na Pua October Concert 7th Annual Waikiki SPAM JAM® Event Date Set; 4 Mark Your Calendar Starwood Announces Promotions 8 . and MORE Continued from page 1 Inspired by Waikīkī’s special sense of place, the design of 280 Beach Walk will emphasize this district’s sensibility to pedestrian scale through a carefully crafted architecture that celebrates a strong connection between its use, contest and climate. International Group Of Microwave Engineers Re-Book The Hawai`i Convention Center For Their Annual Meeting In 2017 The Hawai`i Convention Center will once again host the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) International Microwave Symposium in 2017. The announcement was made at a re-booking ceremony held at the Center on Oct. 8. The Symposium is the premier conference of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S), and will feature a large trade show, presentations of technical papers, and workshops. The last time the Symposium was held at the Center was in 2007 where more than 7,000 participants from all over the world generated nearly $34 million to the state along with over $3.2 million in tax revenue. The convention center’s hotel partners benefited with nearly 58,000 booked rooms. They are expecting an even larger contingency in 2017 which would mean a great impact to the visitor industry. The 2007 event was also the first time in its 50-year history that this Symposium was held outside of the North American continent. Based on their success in 2007, a team composed of the wireless science and technology industry (TeraSys Technologies and Oceanit), the University of Hawai‘i’s Electrical Engineering Department, the Hawai‘i Convention Center, and their hotel partners decided to bid to bring the Symposium back to Hawai‘i. “Bringing the Symposium to Hawai‘i was a win-win for everyone involved,” said Kevin Miyashiro, general chairman of the event. “Our technical attendees had the opportunity to exchange ideas on leading edge wireless science and technology, our local science and technology community had an opportunity to meet with the world’s experts in wireless technology, and the families of the attendees got to experience the Aloha that Hawai‘i has to offer.” The capture team worked months to prepare a competitive bid based on value to the attendee, quality of the destination, and cost. A proposal presentation was made to the voting body of the IEEE, and Hawai‘i was selected as the destination for the International Microwave Symposium in 2017. “We are extremely pleased that the IEEE has chosen to re-book the Center in 2017,” said Joe Davis SMG general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center. “Last year (2007) was a banner year for engineering based events at the Center and to have the largest engineering group choose us again to hold their major annual event is a sure sign that we are truly a viable option as a meetings destination.” Page 2, October 16—22, 2008 Page 2 Waikīkī Wiki Wiki Wire The “First Lady Of Waikiki” Announces Its Name Change To Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa With the recent opening of the Moana Lani Spa, A Heavenly Spa by Westin, the majestic “First Lady of Waikiki” officially began operation under its new name, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa as of October 1. The Moana Surfrider was re-branded as a Westin June 2007 after receiving various enhancements to its rooms and public areas. While maintaining its elegant ambiance and charming Hawaiian sense of place, the historic resort property was renewed with modern amenities including Westin’s signature Heavenly BedÒ and Heavenly BathÒ amenities and new 32-inch flat screen televisions. In addition, the Moana Surfrider’s distinctive porte cochere entrance was also revitalized with a lobby featuring new hardwood floors, furniture and lighting fixtures. Opened October 1, the luxurious 17,000 square- foot Moana Lani debuted as Oahu’s first beachfront spa and the island’s only Heavenly Spa by Westin. The Spa features men’s and women’s pre- and post-treatment rooms and separate locker room areas with steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools with beachfront views of the sand and surf of Waikiki. In addition, Moana Lani has been designed with guest’s comfort and privacy in mind with two couple’s treatment suites with beachfront lanais and whirlpool tubs, nine private massage therapy rooms, a body treatment room, a Vichy shower water therapy room, and three facial rooms. Moana Lani also features a manicure and pedicure area, an exclusive product retail area on both the spa level and hotel lobby level, and a new 24-hour state- of-the-art WestinWORKOUT® fitness center that is free of charge to hotel guests. “The distinction of opening the first beachfront spa on O’ahu has allowed us to enhance Moana Surfrider’s status within Westin Hotels & Resorts to a ‘resort and spa’ property,” said Erik Berger, general manager, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa. “We are committed to offering our guests an unparalleled Waikiki vacation experience and adding to the storied legacy of the ‘First Lady of Waikiki.’” Moana Surfrider, originally opened on March 11, 1901 as the Moana Hotel, ushered in a new era of tourism for the Hawaiian Islands. Designed in the old colonial style architecture of the period, it boasted 75 rooms and was the costliest, most elaborate and modern hotel building in the Hawaii at the time. For more information about the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, please view our website at moana- surfrider.com or call the hotel at 808-922-3111. For more information about Moana Lani Spa, A Heavenly Spa by Westin, please view the website at moanalanispa.com or call direct to 808-237-2535. For a limited time, kama’ainas may enjoy an introductory 15% discount on select Moana Lani services and complimentary valet parking at the Moana Surfrider. Patrons interested in booking reservations are encouraged to call Moana Lani at 808-237-2535. Page 3, October 16—22, 2008 Page 3 Waikīkī Wiki Wiki Wire The Equus offering kamaaina ‘Paniolo Special’ Aqua Hotels & Resorts announced a kamaaina ‘Paniolo Special’ at The Equus, an Aqua Boutique Hotel. The ‘Paniolo Special” includes a Polo Deluxe Room, free parking, free 4 pm late checkout, free daily continental breakfast, free high-speed Internet and a two-for-one beachfront trail ride for just $110 per night. The trail ride is a scenic 90-minute horseback ride that starts at the Mokuleia Polo Field, located on the North Shore, and wanders through ironwood forests, naupaka shrubs and along the beach before circling back to the polo field. The beachfront trail ride retails for $95 person and reservations can be made at the time of booking or after arrival. Conveniently located, the 68-room The Equus is just one block to Ala Moana Center and in easy walking distance to the Hawaii Convention Center. The Equus has a long-standing paniolo heritage and, besides the hotel name, it is reflected in its décor with framed pictures and sculptures of horses throughout and use of the palaka print for staff uniforms. Kamaaina owner Mike Dailey is the President of the Hawaii Polo Club and the hotel is the official home of the Club, hosting visiting teams from around the world during the polo season (from late April through September). Dailey often makes tickets available to in-house guests throughout the season. The Equus was recently named as one of Oahu’s ‘Best Green Resorts’ by Green Travel Guides Oahu, published by Two Bridges Press of San Francisco.