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Starwood Vacation ownership
marks grand opening

COURTESY WESTIN KAANAPALI OCEAN RESORT VILLAS The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, Starwood Vacation Ownership's first Hawaii vacation ownership property, will mark its grand opening at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the resort. The time-share, which generated $100 million in revenue this year, sold out its first phase of 103 units prior to opening in September 2003. It also achieved the company's highest conversion rate, generally recognized as those who buy after the first tour, but also including those who come back later and purchase. The resort is one of 15 Starwood Vacation Ownership properties. Attending the grand opening will be Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa; Keith Vieira, senior vice president and director of operations for Hawaii and Tahiti for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.; and Raymond "Rip" Gellein Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Starwood Vacation Ownership. The ceremony will include a blessing by Charles Kaupu at 5:30 p.m. and a reception at 6:30 p.m. with a performance by Hapa.

Damon deal may close soon

The chief financial officer of the Newton, Mass., company buying the Damon Estate said yesterday that the $480.5 million deal could close within a short period of time.

John Popeo, CFO of HRPT Properties Trust, said the company is still doing its due diligence but that the purchase could close "within a week to a month, if it closes at all."

HRPT issued a press release confirming earlier newspaper reports that it had a conditional agreement to purchase industrial and warehouse land from the estate. The property consists of 9.8 million square feet of land between Honolulu Airport and Honolulu Harbor.

Conventions strong for December

The 5-year-old $350 million Hawaii Convention Center says it will have its best December this year, with 19,800 conventioneers.

The National Association of Independent Schools' People of Color Conference and Jehovah's Witnesses 2003 International Convention are the two big conventions, and are expected to generate $38 million in visitor spending with an estimated $3 million in state tax revenue. Early December is traditionally a slow time for the tourism industry in Waikiki, so the news is welcome, said the state Hawaii Tourism Authority.

DCCA proposes cable access plan

Hawaii's four counties would gain control over public, education and government access on cable television, and underserved markets would gain support for access, under a draft plan released by the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Each county would be able to develop its own policies, and would receive DCCA funding to help defray administrative costs.

The plan also recommends that Gov. Linda Lingle appoint members to the state Cable Advisory Committee, which hasn't been staffed for years.

Public comments on the plan must be submitted by Monday, either to cabletv@dcca.hawaii.gov or to the state Cable Television Division. For more information, visit www.hawaii.gov/dcca/catv.

State to help adults earn college degrees

Hawaii is one of eight states that will take part in the "Pathways to Advancement Policy Academy," a project to help working adults earn college and other post-high school degrees.

The academy, a project of the National Governors Association, is taking place in Hawaii as a reflection of the state's commitment to ensuring residents get proper training, Gov. Linda Lingle said. The association is providing technical support and $50,000 for staff support and expenses.

A team of Hawaii agency representatives will meet to evaluate policies for adult student college access.

Lex Brodie's donates to youth soccer

Lex Brodie's Tire Co. donated an estimated $9,000 in soccer balls to local schools and youth organizations, as part of a nationwide youth soccer program.

Lex Brodie's and Uniroyal Tire also donated more than $550 in funds and equipment to the Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club.

Uniroyal has completed its seventh season as a major youth soccer sponsor and has given 250,000 free soccer balls to families and donated $3.5 million in funds and equipment.