Many see millennium
festivities as ‘great
opportunity’ to
market islesThe goal is to attract 500,000 more
visitors to the state in the year 2000
than came in 1999What's on the calendar By Christine Donnelly
Star-BulletinDiamond Head illuminated in the background as fireworks light up the sky from Magic Island to Kuhio Beach. That's the image Hawaii marketeers hope will entice tourists from around the world as Honolulu appears in two global television broadcasts on New Year's Eve 1999.
"Diamond Head is the recognizable trademark of the islands. It says Hawaii to the world," said Lynne Madden, a member of the Hawaii Millennium Commission and executive vice president of the company Island Heritage, which develops and distributes Hawaiian products.
The commission, a partnership between the state government and tourist industry, was formed to coordinate and promote a series of celebrations throughout next year under the theme "Hawaii 2000, The Dawn of the New Millennium."
It's seeking permission, and funding, to light Diamond Head from the ground up so the landmark is visible as Hawaii appears on two worldwide broadcasts on Dec. 31, one produced by the Millennium Television Network, the other by British Broadcasting Corp., said Isaac Hokama, the commission's program manager.
"It's a great opportunity that we need to capitalize on," said Hokama, adding that plans also call for separate but synchronized midnight fireworks displays launched from barges in waters off Magic Island, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Halekulani and Kuhio Beach.
The goal is to attract 500,000 more visitors to the state in the year 2000 than came in 1999, with a special emphasis on getting former residents home.If that number is achieved, it would pump some $800 million into the islands' economy, Hokama said.
Since Hawaii's tourist industry is perennially busy from Christmas through New Year's -- and this year looks to be even better than usual -- there's no need for a huge marketing push to sell those dates. But Hokama hopes the international exposure on New Year's Eve can help create demand for less busy times later in the year.
"If we show a really special celebration, that creates interest in whatever else we might have to offer," Hokama said.
Organizers are beefing up existing events, such as Honolulu's annual Okinawan Festival, which marks its 100th anniversary in 2000; the Great Aloha Run; and the Honolulu Marathon. And the commission is adding new events, such as a mass wedding at Magic Island at sunset and an international skydiving competition, both planned for May. Also on the calendar: a weeklong music festival in November that would culminate in a world-record international drum performance.
But funding, organization and community support are crucial to making the plans realities, Hokama said. One proposal, a New Year's Eve 1999 cultural celebration in Diamond Head, has already been scrapped, mainly for lack of funding, he said.
To encourage former islanders to return for a vacation, Hokama has been e-mailing Hawaiian clubs on the mainland and asking high school and college alumni groups to consider millennium reunions. "We're trying to put some discount travel packages together, too, especially for kamaaina coming home."
Gary Hogan, president of the Hawaii-based division of Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, said creating marquee events is key to boosting arrivals in off months.
"Hawaii's coming back as a popular destination in general, but special events would really help" in the slower months, he said. The company sells Hawaii travel packages in 260 U.S. cities.As for New Year's Eve, Hawaii has some important advantages over other locales: It's the last place in the United States to say goodbye to 1999, is expected to be relatively unscathed by the so-called Y2K computer bug, and enjoys warm weather.
"All that's important. A lot of people ... definitely have fears of traveling internationally. Hawaii is still considered exotic but also safe, and being the last place in the United States celebrating the New Year also has appeal," Hogan said.
The federal government, in periodic updates on the potential disruption of the Y2K bug, has said U.S. travel, including to Hawaii, should be fine.
But it has warned there could be disruptions in some foreign countries, and is expected to issue warnings on specific countries by October.
Hokama said the variety of ways to welcome the Year 2000, from traditional champagne blowouts on Oahu and Maui, to more spiritual and nature-based pursuits on Kauai and Molokai, also helps sell the state. "Each island has something distinct and different; that's a plus," he said.
Karol Avalon, owner of Avalon Travel in San Anselmo, Calif., said a millennium package to Kauai that focuses on Hawaiian culture and aloha has been selling very well.
"It's a more heartfelt way to step into the new millennium, and it's special because Kauai is the last place in the United States to do it," said Avalon.
Hoteliers throughout Hawaii said although they were happy with the number of room reservations already booked, they expected airline seats to Hawaii to sell out before rooms do.
Hogan, who said there's a "very strong demand" for Pleasant Hawaiian's holiday packages, said some customers bought room and air packages even though all they really needed was the airline ticket.
"They have family they're going to stay with, but it was cheaper to buy a whole package than just a seat," Hogan said. "That's how expensive and hard to get the flights (alone) are."
Representatives of several airlines said the number of flights booked to any destination is based on demand, and they would re-evaluate later this year whether more flights to Hawaii should be added.
Although many Hawaii hotels taking reservations now are requiring a minimum-night stay around New Year's, that restriction may be lifted if enough rooms remain unsold later this year.
"We do expect to be sold out later this year, but there are still some bargains available now," said Nancy Daniels, public relations manager for Outrigger Hotels and Resorts. "And if a certain property is sold out now, it never hurts to check back later. People do cancel."
Sold-out hotels are looking for ways to extend the magic, such as offering pre- and post-millennium packages for those who couldn't get in on the actual day - or who don't want to spend as much.
"Many of our millennium activities will begin during this time, and our holiday decorations will be up," a mailer from Lanai's Manele Bay Hotel and Lodge at Koele promises, suggesting a $295-per-night package offered from Nov. 28 to Dec. 18.
For more information about celebrations here throughout 2000, call the Hawaii Millennium Commission at (808) 550-2000, e-mail hi2000@hawaii.rr.com, or log on to its Web site at www.hi2k.net. The site provides travel info and links to reservation systems. More info online
Another good spot to check out millennium deals in the islands is the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau's Web site, at http://gohawaii.com.
Lion dances are traditionally performed during
Lunar New Year festivities which take place in
February, one of the myriad events folded into
the yearlong "Dawn of the New Millennium" calendar.
Hawaii celebrations
will continue all yearThe Hawaii Millennium Commission is proposing a yearlong series of celebrations, under the theme "Hawaii 2000, The Dawn of the New Millennium." Some existing annual events were folded in, and new activities were added.
The commission welcomes queries from possible vendors as well as suggestions from the public. Call 550-2000 in Honolulu or check the commission's Web site at http://www.hi2k.net.
Here's a look at some of the proposed events.
Compiled by Christine Donnelly, Star-Bulletin Oahu
Oct. 21-29, 1999:
The Millennium Young People's Congress, which expects to have 1,000 delegates from 110 countries in Honolulu to discuss how to improve life on Earth in the new millennium.
Dec. 31, 1999:
February 2000:
May 2000:
June 2000:
November 2000:
Maui
Dec. 31, 1999:
January 2000:
February 2000:
March 2000:
April 2000:
May 2000:
June 2000:
July 2000:
August 2000:
September 2000:
October 2000:
November 2000:
December 2000:
Kauai
Dec. 31, 1999:
Hawaii
Dec. 31, 1999:
September 2000:
October 2000:
Molokai
May 2000:
Lanai
May 2000:
October 2000:
Statewide
Dec. 31, 2000:
