Julie Bicoy, Destination Molokai Visitors Bureau; Keli'i Brown, Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau & Charity Texeria, Lanai Vistors Bureau
Cultural Specialist Kamaka Kukona (right) provided the entertainment by singing and strumming his ukulele aided by Keli'i Brown doing the hula
The Maui delegation
Hula is all about the hips and the hands as Keli'i Brown demonstrates
They couldn’t have chosen a better venue. At the arts-oriented The Listel Hotel in Vancouver, 12 suppliers from the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai sat down with guests for some quality one-on-one sessions.
The invitation to this “Bistro Maui Nui” event promised a “menu of endless entrees – romance, pampering, serenity, charming small towns, Hawaiian culture and history and much more.” Now, who could resist that?
Heading the delegation was Keli'i Brown, Public Relations & Promotions Director for the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau (MVCB). Vancouver was the only stop in Canada for this marketplace. But, at the same time, sales missions led by Chris Kaiaokamalie, Director of Sales, MVCB, met with agents in Victoria, Vancouver and Calgary.
What’s new:
• The Fairmont Kea Lanai’s new spa features some nifty technology including a WaveMotion massage table that simulates weightlessness.
• This fall, guestroom refurbishments at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay will be completed. Interiors will feature teak and zebra wood, Mahogany floors, hand-woven rugs and in-mirror TVs in the bathrooms.
• The Kaanapali Beach Hotel now has new carpets in all public areas while guestrooms feature flat screen TVs (“Finally,” said Kalani Nakoa, Director of Sales/Marketing) and Keurig coffee makers. As an added touch, handicapped guests can now make use of the pool via the new ADA compliant pool lift.
• The new Lanai Culture & Heritage Center features artifacts from archaeological finds, historical plantation documents and family memorabilia. Also, Lanai’s movie theatre will reopen by the end of the year.
• For a minimum 3 night stay, guests at Travaasa Hana Maui get free flights between Kahului and Hana on Mokulele Airlines.
• Construction for the Wailea Residence Inn will commence shortly. Catering to extended stays, this 200 room Marriott property will be adjacent to the Wailea Town Center. It is scheduled to open in December 2015.
• Guestrooms at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa have had a makeover including bathrooms with glass windows (PR Director Sumithra Balraj says “no one can see you”) and transparent balcony railings.
• A new 1,487-sq. m. gourmet grocery store in Wailea will open in Spring/Summer 2015. Island Country Market will offer fine wines, artisan cheeses, deli and an outdoor wine bar.
“Maui has many different experiences, we are hoping people revisit the destination to discover them,” said Charlene Ka'uhane, PR consultant for MVCB. Charlene says she’s not sure that Albertans are aware of Maui’s “western” influence. “We would like to introduce people from Alberta to our own upcountry and ranch history,” she said.
