Inside this Month's Issue

		HVCB Showcases Hawaii for East Coast Meeting Business

Hawaii Value Passport 2004 - 2005

Honolulu Named Best in the West for Walking and Fitness 

Did you know Honolulu is ranked as one of the top 12 cities in the nation for walking and fitness?

HVCB's Images of Aloha Available for Member Promotions
Need images of aloha? Request your free copy today!

April 2004 Trade Show / Event Schedule - North America
Take a look at HVCB's trade show calendar for the month of April to see if we're coming to a city near you!

HVCB Travel Trade Marketing Activities in February
View a summary of what HVCB's travel trade marketing team participated in for February 2004.

Island Chapters Update

Check out the latest news from the Big Island Visitors Bureau,
Maui Visitors Bureau, and Oahu Visitors Bureau!

HTA Marketing Contractors Update

Check out the latest news and promotions from Hawaii Tourism Europe and Hawaii Tourism Oceania!

Here's What Members Have to Say

Aloha & Welcome to the HVCB Ohana

Mahalo For Your Continued Support & Participation

HVCB Showcases Hawaii for East Coast Meeting Business
 
Over the past two weeks, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau sold the meeting benefits of Hawaii at major regional tradeshows in Atlanta and Boston sponsored by Meeting Professionals International.

HVCB promoted Hawaii at the 2004 Meetings Exploration Conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza and AmericasMart in Atlanta, March 25-26. The two-day tradeshow and networking conference was presented by the Georgia Chapter of MPI, the organization's fifth largest chapter with 900 members.

Last week, HVCB was in Boston for the 18th Annual New England Meetings Industry Conference and Exposition at the Hynes Convention Center, April 1. This event was sponsored by MPI's New England Chapter. The one-day tradeshow is the region's largest annual gathering of meeting professionals and had an attendance of more than 2,000 meeting planners and suppliers.

"Hawaii is the world's premier warm-weather meetings destination and our objective is to increase market share within this region, especially among corporate meeting planners," said Michael Murray, CMP, CMM, CASE, director of sales for HVCB's Corporate Meetings and Incentives (CMI) division.

Murray added that both events are tremendous showcase opportunities for Hawaii's meetings industry due to the quality of corporate meeting planners taking part. HVCB is specifically targeting the lucrative business sectors of finance, pharmaceutical, insurance, technology, and supplies and services.

"The bottom line for meeting planners in the East Coast region is that Hawaii is a great return on investment and is strongly supported by our meetings infrastructure," Murray said.

For information about holding meetings in Hawaii, the Islands of Aloha, visit HVCB's Corporate Meetings & Incentives Web site at http://www.meethawaii.com or call the CMI division at 1-888-424-2924.

Hawaii Value Passport 2004 - 2005
 

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau would like to invite our activity, dining, golf and retail members to participate in the 2004-2005 Hawaii Value Passport program. HVCB's Hawaii Value Passport is a listing of discounts and added-value promotions offered by participating businesses.

 
This handy, pocket-sized guide is distributed by Hawaii Destination Specialist travel agents to their Hawaii-bound clients, prior to their arrival. As an eligible member, you can utilize this national marketing tool to promote your business free of charge.

 
It is necessary for participating merchants to commit to their promotion through December 31, 2005.

Mahalo to all the HVCB merchant participants who already submitted their HVP listing.

 
For more information on the Hawaii Value Passport or if you have any questions, please contact the membership department at (808) 924-0232 or email members1@hvcb.org.

Honolulu Named Best in the West for Walking and Fitness

According to a study commissioned by Prevention magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association http://www.apma.org/citywalks2004/index.html, Honolulu ranks as the top urban area in the west for walking and fitness. Honolulu also made the national list of "12 Best Walking Cities for 2004," ranking tenth overall. The study surveyed 125 of the most populated cities in the nation against 20 criteria, including use of mass transit; number of museums; annual attendance at museums; number of historic sites and landmarks; annual rainfall levels; amount of exercise; air quality index; and crime rate. Honolulu ranked fifth among 125 cities in use of mass transit and percentage who walk to work (5.6%), and boasted a high annual museum attendance for a metropolitan area of its size at an estimated four million visits per year. Results of the study are published in the April issue of Prevention .

To access HVCB's Market Trends Online, visit: http://www.gohawaii.com/exec/109925 .

For more information please call HVCB Market Trends at (808) 923-1811.

HVCB's Images of Aloha Available for Member Promotions

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau has an image CD "Images of Aloha" containing a variety of select shots covering island scenes, culture, wellness, romance, activity, and more. These images can be used for editorial and commercial purposes as long as it is used to promote Hawaii and photo credit is provided to HVCB & photographer.

If you are interested in obtaining this CD, please click here to download the "Images of Aloha" CD request form. You may fax your completed forms back to (808) 254-1199 or email mhc@hawaii.rr.com.

Don't forget that if you're looking for a photographer, we have many HVCB member photographers or stock photo companies to choose from. You can find their information on our website at http://www.gohawaii.com.


April 2004 Trade Show / Event Schedule - North America

April 2-3
Virtuoso South Eastern Regional Meeting, Miami, FL

April 13 & 14
Continental Airlines Vacations VIP Dinner Seminar, Jersey City, NJ, Mahwah, NJ

HVCB Travel Trade Marketing Activities in February

Below are some of the events and activities HVCB's travel trade marketing team participated in during the month of February:

HVCB Travel Industry Forums (2): - New York City & San Francisco, Feb 18 & 20 - HVCB's wholesale and travel agent consortia partners were invited to attend an informal and interactive luncheon to assess market conditions and trends, discuss Hawaii's strategic initiatives, and share information and ideas.

Over 36 wholesale partner delegates attended the presentations. In attendance for HVCB and the Island Chapters: Jay Talwar, VP marketing, Gail Harding, director consumer marketing, George Applegate, executive director, BIVB, Sue Kanoho, executive director, KVB, Les Enderton, executive director, OVB, Lynn Erfer, director of marketing, MVB, Christy Aldanese, regional director, HVCB travel trade marketing, U.S. West, Jen Cabasag, regional director, HVCB travel trade marketing, U.S. East.

Addison Travel Trade Shows, Edmonton and Calgary Alberta, Canada, Feb 3 & 4

Morris-Murdock International Travel & Tourism Expo, Salt Lake City, UT, Feb 6 & 7 - 15,000 travel agents in attendance, 70 exhibitors including 6 Hawaii exhibitors including HVCB, Outrigger OHANA Hotels, Classic Custom Vacations, Pleasant Holidays, Polynesian Cultural Center, and Hotel Laie.

Gogo Worldwide Vacations Reservation Agent Training - East Hartford, CT, Feb 10

Collette Vacations Reservation Agent Training - Pawtucket, RI, Feb 11

Virtuoso Southern Central Regional Meeting - Dallas, TX, Feb 20 & 21 - over 70 Virtuoso travel agents attended, with 59 exhibitors including 3 Hawaii exhibitors.

American Express Presentation with Big Island Visitors Bureau - New York, NY, Feb 25

New York Times Travel Show - New York, NY, Feb 27 - 29 - 19,000 consumers and travel professionals in attendance, 230 exhibitors. HVCB was one of only two Hawaii exhibitors.

For more information on travel trade marketing activities please call Dan Gomez at
(808) 923-1811 or e-mail dgomez@hvcb.org.

BIVB will Showcase Hawaii's Big Island to Travel Agents
in Southern California

Hawaii's Big Island Showcase, hosted by our Director of Sales, Eric Dutro, will hit the Southern California area April 26 - 29. Cities include San Diego, Orange County, Santa Barbara and Burbank/Glendale. The Showcase series focuses on educating travel agents on Hawaii's Big Island, providing selling tools and an opportunity for our members to meet agents one on one to further promote their product.

In addition, our public relations team will visit Los Angeles and San Diego June 7 - 11, making media calls and hosting luncheons in these media-rich cities.

For more information on how you can attend with BIVB, please contact Laura Aquino at laquino@current-events.com. If you would like to request information on the upcoming Hawaii Big Island Showcase please contact Eric Dutro at (808) 886-1655 or via e-mail at edutro@hvcb.org.

Visit the Big Island Visitors Bureau online at http://www.bigisland.org.


Maui Visitors Bureau Launches “Maui For Life!” Health and Wellness Campaign

Maui Visitors Bureau announces Maui For Life!, a health and wellness campaign designed to increase
Maui’s share of the health and wellness travel market and to position the island as the pre-eminent
wellness destination in Hawaii. Recognized in ten consecutive Conde Nast Travelers’ polls as the  “Best Island in the World,” Maui is now gaining a new distinction: the best location to seek and to achieve health and wellness. Articles about Maui’s health and wellness offerings in travel trade publications started on March 1, 2004. New articles about Maui's health and wellness offerings will be published in consumer publications throughout the year.

For more information please call (800) 525-MAUI or e-mail maui@hvcb.org.

Visit the Maui Visitors Bureau online at http://www.visitmaui.com.

The Oahu Visitors Bureau Continues to Create Global Marketing Opportunities

OVB PR Activities

The OVB team was on the road again March 28 - April 2, 2004 blitzing through New York, Montreal and Toronto. While on the road, the OVB team including industry partners Hilton Hawaiian Village, Outrigger Resorts, and The Turtle Bay Resort visited with over 60 media. Oahu received  a lot of exposure by participating in national broadcasts of ABC's "Living It Up With Ali and Jack;" Fox & Friends Weekend; and in Chicago ABC 7.

In addition, OVB worked closely with "Bringing It Home" with Laura McIntosh while filming here in March. The television show featured pineapples, lei, Moi and taro farming and is expected to net 3 million impressions for Oahu's world-class cuisine.

OVB's Travel Trade Activities

Throughout the month of March, the North America sales team continued to work closely with ODS partners in various programs and consumer shows including two bridal shows in Georgia and Colorado resulting in an attendance of 730 consumers total. An "Oahu Night" in Denver, Colorado resulting in 100 consumers in attendance and an "Aloha Festival" in Phoenix, Arizona with 1, 500 consumers in attendance.

OVB's International Activities

OVB's Japan PR activities include the continuing radio promotion with Inter-FM "Discover Oahu" weekly corner broadcast to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. In addition, Oahu received print exposure in Indeed (Circ. 80,000) and Rasin (Circ., 100,000).

OVB participated in ITB that was organized this year by Hawaii Tourism Europe. In addition, the OVB team went on a sales blitz to Switzerland and met with marketing managers and conducted agent training with Flextravel/TUI Suisse, Skytours, and Hotelplan.

For more information please visit OVB online at http://www.visit-oahu.com or call (808) 524-0722.

Hawaii Supplement in Leading German Travel Trade Publication

Hawaii Tourism Europe published a 16 page Hawaii Special in Touristik Aktuell, one of Germany's leading travel trade publications. The supplement was integrated in more than 30,000 copies, giving a general overview on Hawaii and special counter information. The supplement also highlighted the Dole Promotion. Subsequent to the promotion there will be a 1 page Hawaii coverage in three succeeding Touristik Aktuell issues, including raffle of a trip to Hawaii with Norwegian Cruise Line and Fairmont Hotels as partner.

For more information please contact Silvia Bisle at Hawaii Tourism Europe at +49 89 23662197 or via   e-mail at s.bisle@mangum.de.

ITB Berlin Opened its Doors to the World's Tourism Industry

ITB Berlin, the world's largest travel trade show, opened its doors from March 12-16, with more than 10,000 exhibitors and 141,000 visitors. Hawaii Tourism Europe was present with a new 45 sq. ft. booth, highlighting the old Hawaii as well as the diversity of Hawaii's islands and their nature.

At the booth, Hawaii Tourism Europe was supported by representatives of all Island Chapters, by Destination Resorts Hawaii and Sun Islands Hawaii. Future PR and marketing activities were discussed in more than 60 appointments with trade and media partners. The Hawaii press conference alone, taking place on Saturday, March 13, attracted more than 100 journalists. The whole show was thus a big success for Hawaii and showed many positive trends of which Hawaii will certainly capitalize.

For more information please contact Silvia Bisle at Hawaii Tourism Europe at +49 89 23662197 or via e-mail at s.bisle@mangum.de.

Hawaii Tourism Europe Launchs New German Website

HTE's new German language website http://www.hawaii-tourism.de was launched for ITB in Berlin. The website offers a broad variety of general information on Hawaii and its islands, trip planning information and news on the destination. A special section for media partners offers access to a Hawaii image library, story ideas and current press releases. Tourism partners will find useful details on tour operators and news from the Hawaii travel industry. A newsletter sent out to trade partners and consumers will complete the information tools on Hawaii.

For more information please contact Silvia Bisle at Hawaii Tourism Europe at +49 89 23662197 or via e-mail at s.bisle@mangum.de.



Aloha Down Under 2004

Hawaii Tourism Oceania in conjunction with Hawaiian Airlines is proud to announce the dates for their 'Aloha Down Under' Road show. The event will take place from May 31 - June 4 in Australia.

What is Aloha Down Under 2004?

The Aloha down under Road show is a new initiative that will concentrate on the re-introduction of Hawaii and Hawaiian Airlines into the Australianmarketplace.

As a result of extensive industry consultation and feedback, the need for such an event has been identified in order to more closely match the training and product exposure needs of key Australian industry to those of our Hawaiian suppliers.

Through a series of 8 events and activities, Aloha Down Under 2004, represents a unique opportunity for Hawaiian suppliers to meet with retail consultants and the selling staff of the key wholesalers, travel media and CIM agents.

We would like to extend this invitation to all Hawaiian suppliers. Supplier participation at the event is limited to 30 and the deadline for application is April 13, 2004.

For further details on Aloha Down Under 2004, or for a copy of the supplier invitation and registration form please contact your Island Chapter or HTO's event manager Gemma O'Brien via e-mail at gobrien@hawaiitourism.com.au.

Here's What Members Have to Say

The Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum is an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and presenting the history and heritage of the sugar industry and the multi-ethnic plantation life which it engendered. Its six exhibit rooms and outdoor displays include photo murals, audiovisual presentations, authentic scale models, interactive displays, and plantation equipment. Each summer, the museum hosts the Maui Sugar Plantation Festival, a community celebration of Maui's rich sugar plantation heritage, featuring ethnic foods, historic exhibits, cultural entertainment, fun activities and more. Sponsorship and partnership opportunities are available for the festival. For more information  on the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum or the Maui Sugar Plantation Festival please contact Gaylord Kubota, Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum Director at (808) 871-8058 via e-mail at gkubota@maui.net or online at http://www.sugarmuseum.com.

The Black Pearl Gallery at the Aloha Tower Market Place would like to announce our "Tahitian Black Pearl Spring Harvest Expo" April 16 -25, 2004. Only the most iridescent color, high quality pearls were hand picked at the Spring 2004 GIE Poe Rava Nui auction in Papette, Tahiti and brought back to Hawaii. Set in original and limited edition designs in 14k/18k gold and platinum creations by our award winning Master Jewelers. Our commitment to Excellence since 1983 ensures the highest quality and value in Tahitian Black Pearl Jewelry. Enter to win a beautiful 12mm drop pearl while viewing all of our newest pearls. For more information please contact us at (808) 524-5552, via e-mail at bpgron@aol.com or visit us online at http://www.e-blackpearl.com.

Elite Limousine Service was established in 1978 and has enjoyed over twenty years of successfully serving clients from Hawaii's corporate and tourism markets. After a career in public safety as a Captain of the Honolulu Fire Department, Eugene "Bucky" Yee founded Elite Limousine Service to address the needs of a growing tourism industry within our Island State. At Elite Limousine Service our objective is to consistently provide superior custom transportation services by using the safest and finest equipment available to local businesses and worldwide guests visiting Hawaii. We are dedicated to principles of integrity, reliability, "high-touch" customer service with the basic philosophy to apply the standards of safety, security and public service.   For more information or to book your limousine service, please contact us at (800) 776-2098, via e-mail at info@EliteLimoHawaii.com or visit us online at http://www.EliteLimoHawaii.com.

If you would like to submit articles for Kahe Wale please e-mail Jerry Ishibashi at jishibashi@hvcb.org
or click here to download HVCB's Member-to-Member form. Inclusion in the Here's What Members Have to Say Section of Kahe Wale is subject to availability as space is limited. HVCB reserves the right to edit any member-to-member submission.

Aloha & Welcome to the HVCB Ohana

Members who joined in March 2004:
A Guide To Hawaii - Big Island, A Guide To Hawaii - Kauai, A Guide To Hawaii - Maui,
Ali'i Resorts, Anything on Maui, Hale Kai Condo, Hawaii International Jazz Festival, Hawaii International Jazz Festival - Maui, Historic Plantation Manager's Beach House, The Home Sweet Home Gourmet, LLC, MauiMonth.com, Molokai Huakai, Olinda Country Cottages, The Photo Factory, The Retreat at Olinda Lavender Gardens, The TAOACT Foundation, Volcano Cedar Cottage, Watabe Wedding Corporation

Mahalo For Your Continued Support & Participation

Members who renewed in March 2004:
Member Since 1961 - 1989

A Affordable Weddings of Hawaii, ABC Stores Div of MNS, Ltd., Akina Aloha Tours, Inc., Aloha Express Tours & Travel, Inc, American Express Travel Related Services, Aston Kaanapali Shores, Bed & Breakfast Honolulu (Statewide), Big Island Candies Inc., DFS Hawaii, A Division of DFS Group, Inc., E Noa Tours, Edward Choi, Hawaii Naniloa Resort, Hawaii Paper Products, Inc., Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Hawaiian Host, Inc., Hilo Bay Hotel (Uncle Billy's), Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Jas. W. Glover, Ltd., Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Nippon Travel Agency Hawaii, Inc., Paradise Unlimited Tours & Travel, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Runaway Tours, Inc., Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Sprint Hawaii, State Department of Commerce, Terry T Tamura, Thom's Barber Shop, Travel Plaza, LLC, USA Hosts Hawaii, Watanabe Ing Kawashima & Komeiji, West Hawaii Today

Member Since 1990 - 1999
A Perfect Hawaii Wedding, AA Aloha Cars-R-Us, AAA Washington/Inland, Aloha Condos, Aloha Destinations Vacations, Aloha Journeys, Areca Palms Estate B&B, Aston At The Waikiki Banyan, Bali Hai Weddings, Best 4 Hawaii Travel, Blue Hawaii Vacations, Inc., Bridal Guide Magazine, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Coastline Cottages, Coconut Coast Weddings & Photography, Connoisseur Hawaii, Douglas Peebles Photography, Greeters Of Hawaii, Limited, Haiku Oceanview Cottage, Hale Ho'o Maha, Hale Koa Hotel, Hale Makai Beach Cottages, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, Hawaii Holiday Vacation Rentals, Hawaiian Paradise, Hawaiian Travel, Inc., HonBLUE, Inc., Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center, Island Resort Rentals, Kahana Village Resort, Kathy Clarke Meetings & Incentives, Kings' Trail Rides O'Kona, Kinko's, Kona Charter Skippers Assn. Inc., Lahaina Ticket Company, Marry Me Maui, Maui Ocean Center, Inc., Menehune Shores, Michael J. Pierson Associates, Inc, Nashimoto & Associates, Net Results, Network Media, Niketown, Ocean Sports Waikoloa, Outrigger Maui Eldorado, Paradise Cruise, Ltd., Peace of Maui, Planet Hollywood Honolulu, Poipu Kapili, Princeville Resort Kauai, Reef Trekkers Hawaii - Scuba Diving Tours, Sheraton Molokai Lodge & Beach Village, Shop Hawaii USA, Sterman Realty Sunset Beach Vacation Rentals, Straub Doctors on Call, SunTrips, Superstar Hawaii Transit Service, Tex Drive In, This Week Publications, Tonga Trading Company, Ltd., Travel Weekly, Twogood Kayaks Hawaii, Waikiki Banyan/REWA, Waipio Ridge Vacation Rental, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell / Pacific

Member Since 2000 - 2003

"1st" Hawaii Weddings.net, #1 Akiko's, 001Hawaii, 1-800-Book-A-Limo, A Affordable Weddings of Hawaii, A Beach Wedding $95, A Guide To Hawaii - Oahu, A Maui Dreamtime Wedding, A Toe In Paradise, AAA Diving, Aaah, the Views...Bed & Breakfast, Absolute Paradise Gay B&B, Access Aloha Travel, Activities & Attractions Association of Hawaii (A3H), Adventures In Paradise, Alan Wong's Restaurant, Aloha Holidays Ltd., Aloha Kauai Villas, Bay House Bed & Breakfast, Best 4 Hawaii Travel, Candice Applegate, Car Rental In Hawaii, Cheap Hawaii Tickets, Inc., Flum'in da Ditch, Green Acres Cottages, Haiku Gardens Weddings, Haimoff & Haimoff Creations in Gold, Halawa Falls Cultural Hike, Hale Kai Hawaii Bed & Breakfast, Hana Accommodations and Plantation Houses, Happy Trails Hawaii, Hart-Felt Massage & Day Spa, Hawaiian Island Wedding Planners, Hawaiian Jewelry & Gift Collection, HawaiianWeddingShop.com, Hello Hawaii, HSC Inc., HY's Steak House, Kahua Ranch, Kathy Clarke Meetings & Incentives, Kauai Beach Cottage, Kauai Inn, Kauai Wedding Celebrations, Kihei Beachfront Resort, Kona Hawaiian Village, Kona Honu Divers, Inc., Kuhina Hawaiian Weddings & Blessings, Kuhio Shores Condominiums, Makahuena Resort, Makai Massage & Bodywork, Maui Downhill Bicycle Safaris, Maui Harley Davidson, Maui Oceanfront Inn, Maui Sunriders Bike Co., Maui Sunset, Molokai Lomi Massage, Molokai207.com, Native Books Na Mea Hawai'i, North Hawaii Community Hospital, Northwest Airlines WorldVacations, Plumeria Apartment, Prince Kuhio Rentals, SpeediShuttle LLC, The Palms Cliff House, Tiki's Grill & Bar, Timeless Memories, Inc., Tournet Hawaii Inc., Tradewinds U-Drive, Inc., Waianuhea, L.L.C., Worry-Free Vacations

To unsubscribe from the Kahe Wale please e-mail membership@hvcb.org with Unsubscribe KW in the subject line.

We welcome your suggestions or comments on how to improve this communication vehicle, please contact Jerry Ishibashi at jishibashi@hvcb.org.