Apana sees
opportunity in lull

The Maui mayor wants people
to work on isle improvements
while tourism is down

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By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

WAILUKU >> Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana said he is looking at increasing and speeding up capital improvement projects due to decreased tourism following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Apana said he also is considering forming a partnership with the private sector to create a "pot of money" to employ people in public works tasks, such as trash pick-up and highway beautification.

"Time is of the essence," he said. "People can't wait until next year."

Apana said he's asked his departments to provide him a cost-cutting list, in the event the county needs to adjust its budget.

Maui Visitors Bureau officials said they're developing a marketing plan that focuses on the friendliness of the Valley Isle.

Apana and business officials made the announcement yesterday during a meeting with the news media on Maui.

The meeting was called partially to dispel rumors and also to inform the public about what was being done economically to cope with the downturn in tourism.

The unemployment rate in Maui County -- 4.5 percent in July -- is expected to rise.

According to the state Labor Department, the number of people applying for unemployment benefits in Maui County totaled 634 in a four-day period ending Thursday, compared to the weekly average of 182.

Statewide, the four-day number rose to 2,586, compared to an average of 1,400 applicants weekly.

Thomas Jackson, the Labor department's acting spokesman, said, "We're really expecting next week to be the worst."

Marsha Wienert, executive director of the Maui Visitors Bureau, said while Maui is doing better than most Hawaiian islands it has experienced a decrease in visitor numbers, but reservations were outnumbering cancellations.

Wienert said usually about 5 percent of visitors who make hotel reservations do not show up as guests.

She said the "no-show" number has climbed to about 15 percent.

Visitor industry officials said September through November is usually a slow time of the year with occupancy normally at about 65 percent.

Officials said occupancy will probably end up to be close to 50 percent for September and, contrary to rumors, no hotels are closing.

"Yes, we've been hit. We've been bruised, but we're by no means down and out," said Terryl Vencl, executive director of the Maui Hotel Association.

County economic development coordinator Roslyn Baker said hotels have reduced the hours of work for their employees or asked workers to take vacation.