Up to $1 million
sought for
‘Hawaii 2000’

A millennium panel hopes
to boost the number of tourists
visiting Hawaii by 7 percent

By Gary T. Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- The state commission helping to promote events to celebrate the year 2000 will be asking for $500,000 to $1 million from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, says former Gov. John Waihee.

Waihee, commission co-chairman, said the money will be used for promoting millennium events and enhancing other events celebrated during 2000.

Waihee and Maui Mayor James Apana held a news conference yesterday to announce joint plans to promote events during "Hawaii 2000, the Dawn of the New Millennium."

Maui Visitors Bureau official Charlene Kauhane said the Hawaii Millennium Commission's promotions will help Maui businesses reach a larger audience.

Kauhane said as part of the celebration, Maui County businesses plan to join two existing events into one to encourage visitors to stay longer, especially during traditionally slow tourism periods.

In May, the Maui Music Festival in west Maui will be followed by Maui Music Festival in Wailea.

Waihee said the commission plans to target as a new market former island residents.

The commission hopes to increase the annual number of tourists visiting Hawaii by 7 percent from 6.8 million to 7.3 million people. Waihee said the 7 percent increase represents some $700 million in additional revenue for the state.

The first event scheduled to celebrate "Hawaii 2000, the Dawn of the New Millennium" is the Children's Youth Millennium Congress in October.