Hawaii News & Information

Celebrity Resort Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:18:00 +0000

March 09, 2010

Celebrity Resorts LLC and its affiliates have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing tens of millions in estimated liabilities.

The Orlando-based time-share company listed just two unsecured creditors, International Escrow Services of Atlanta and Resort Condominiums International of Carmel, Ind. But about three dozen other filings, including Celebrity Resorts of Orlando LLC and Celebrity Resorts of Lake Buena Vista LLC, listed pages of additional creditors.

In the bankruptcy filings, the company's chief executive officer, Jared Myers, said he is owed $680,812 in unpaid compensation. A lawyer for the company could not be immediately reached for comment.

Celebrity Resorts began showing signs of distress as early as July 2008, when it announced it was cutting an unspecified number of jobs and eliminating an area of its marketing business that was unprofitable.

According to the time-share company's Web site, Celebrity Resorts has properties in 13 locations across the U.S. The company was formerly known as Resort World, a family-owned business that started selling time shares in the Caribbean in the 1970s and then in the Orlando area in the 1980s.

In August 2008, Celebrity purchased Quintus' interest at Hanalei Bay Resort in Kauai. Condo and timeshare owners at Hanalei Bay Resort soon became unhappy with Celebrity's management and began trying to oust them. Owners were sucussful in removing Celebrity as manager late last year by buying out their contract. Terms of that contract are undisclosed.

Celebrity still owns the restaurant and lounge at Hanalei Bay Resort.

Visit Kauai or Kona for Less Before May 20th

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:50:00 +0000

If you’ve been thinking about escaping winter, now is the time to go to Hawaii because fares and rates are low.

Airfare:
Travelzoo just announced special airfares to Hawaii from 11 US cities including, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Denver, Des Moines, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, Asheville, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. starting as low as $291. Many of these flights normally start at $800 roundtrip or more. Your travel just has to be completed between now and May 20. Go to this link for more information and to book your flight: http://www.united.com/page/article/1,,50078,00.html

Accommodations:
SummitPacific is running a list of owner rented Kauai vacation rental homes and condos that are being offered at up to 40% off the regular low rates. To get these rates visit this link Hawaii Vacation Deals. Although there is only a limited number of properties listed on the above page. You can see more options for great Kauai vacation rentals.

Car Rentals:
And finally, to rent a car on any of the islands at up to 50% off all islands, be sure to check out SummitPacific’s Hawaii Car Rental deals. Summit has negotiated special rates from Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Alamo, and Enterprise. These rates are so low that they aren’t allowed to even mention the company’s name in their advertising, but when you send in your request, you’ll hear back from the car rental company with the lowest rate.

What could be better? Or easier?

Kauai Vacation Homes

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:46:00 +0000

SummitPacific has recently added several new homes to its collection of vacation rental homes on Kauai. Vacation homes offered by owers on Kauai are available for your next visit to the islands.

Hale Emmalani in Princeville is a 3 bedroom home that can accommodate up to 10 guests and it even has its own private lap pool.

Hale Kepuhi Beachfront Home is a beach lover’s dream home. Located near the end of the road in Haena, guests can enjoy a gorgeous stretch of beach in front of the home, nearby Tunnels Beach, or they can sit on watch the ocean right from this spectacular home’s large private lanais.

The Dolphin Estate is a 5 bedroom beachfront home perfectly located on Hanalei Bay. This is the ultimate getaway for those that can afford the best.

Kainalu Hanalei is just short walk to the beach and also convenient to the town of Hanalei.

SummitPacific has a growing number of fine vacation rental homes on Kauai available for weekly and monthly rentals. Beach homes and Kauai cottages offer a great value over hotels and resorts, and a large variety of choices is available. SummitPacific has options from Haena, Hanalei, Princeville, Anahola, and Poipu and lots of places in between. You’ll find a wide range of prices to fit your budget.

Vacation homes offer a good value when compared to staying in a hotel. Especially for families or those traveling in groups or with other couples. When you compare the amount of private living space with a hotel room you'll see the difference. Plus, vacation homes don't have all the extra charges that you'll incur in a hotel. Many homes come with extras like entertainment centers, wide screen TVs and DVDs. Free parking and even garages are available, plus many homes have a closet full of beach toys, coolers and beach chairs waiting for you.

Privacy is also a plus with vacation homes. You can come and go as you please without walking through crowed hotel lobbys. Vacation homes are more like staying at, well... like staying at home.

Of course hotels do offer some advantages that are hard to beat. Things like in-house restaurants, bell service, concierge desks, and other services are nice. But you should consider what type of vacation you are expecting and what is important to you. Remember, it's your vacation.

Tsunami Warning Lifted for Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:17:00 +0000

Honolulu, Hawaii (CNN) -- The tsunami warning is canceled for the state of Hawaii, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

"There was no assessment of any damage in any county, which is quite remarkable," said Gov. Linda Lingle, who said witnesses had reported seeing "dramatic surges going on in the ocean."

An official with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the island chain had "dodged a bullet" after smaller-than-expected waves were reported as a result of a massive earthquake that struck Chile early Saturday.

The first waves of the tsunami were recorded on The Big Island around noon (5 p.m. ET), 16 hours after the Chilean temblor.

Gauges showed water levels rising 3 feet in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii and remaining at that level.

"It's almost the best sort of tsunami you can possibly have, one that's big enough that everyone sees that something happened, but not big enough to cause any damage," said Gerald Fryer, a geophysicist with the warning center.

The arrival of the tsunami waves was preceded by receding water that exposed reefs and churned up silt.

Earlier, Hawaiian residents scrambled to stock up on water, gas and food as sirens pierced the early morning quiet across the islands ahead of the tsunami.

Roads to beaches and other low-lying areas were closed and seaside hotels were moving guests to higher ground.

At Honolulu's Hilton Waikoloa Hotel, guests with cars headed inland and buses moved hundreds of others to a nearby evacuation center.

At supermarkets, residents stocked up on essentials like water and toilet paper in anticipation of the high waters. One sign at a local store limited families to two cases of Spam.

Beaches that would normally be crowded with sunbathers at midday on a Saturday were deserted. Commercial and recreational vessels seeking safe waters lined up a mile off the coast.

County sirens were sounding hourly "to alert residents and visitors to evacuate coastal areas," Hawaii's Civil Defense Division said in a statement.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning, the highest level of a tsunami alert, for the entire Pacific region, including countries as far away as Russia, Japan and Australia.

At the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Center in Melbourne, Australia, co-director Chris Ryan said tsunami waves were beginning to strike parts of Tasmania "and we expect to begin to see more measurements along the Victoria and New South Wales coasts."

He predicted waves would reach a height of about half a meter (1.6 feet) above normal tide levels, but predicted they would cause little damage.

California and Alaska are under a tsunami advisory.

Tsunami waves came ashore along the Chilean coast shortly after the earthquake, U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist Victor Sardina told CNN.

He said the largest was 9 feet near the quake's epicenter. Another wave, 7.7 feet, hit the Chilean town of Talcahuano, according to Eric Lau of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Video from the town showed one car sitting in a large expanse of water and boats littering the docks.

A large wave on the island of Juan Fernandez -- 400 miles (643 km) off Chile's coast -- killed three people, Provincial Governor Ivan De La Maza said. Ten people were missing.

Navigational buoys in Ventura County, California, sustained minor damage as a result of a 2-foot surge and waves, according to the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. The Ventura County Fire Department had one report of damage to a resident's dock from the surge.

Speaking Saturday afternoon in Washington, President Obama urged people in Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa, also under a tsunami warning, to prepare.

"We can't control nature, but we can and must be prepared for disaster when it strikes," he said in a brief statement at the White House.

The 13th Air Force, in Hawaii, launched planes carrying loudspeakers to alert people in coastal areas not near sirens to evacuate.

Before the tsunami struck, Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle said she had already declared a state of emergency.

In 1960, a tsunami triggered by an earthquake on South America's west coast destroyed much of downtown Hilo and killed 61 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake had a magnitude between 8.25 and 8.5, the USGS said, and the waves in Hilo Bay reached 35 feet, but only 3 to 17 elsewhere.

CNN's Thelma Gutierrez, Mike Ahlers and Carey Bodenheimer contributed to this report.

Tsunami Expected for South Shores

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:17:00 +0000

Hawaiians braced for an expected tsunami from a giant earthquake off the coast of Chile, as officials in the state evacuated thousands of residents and tourists to higher ground.

The "Big Island" of Hawaii may face the biggest threat of wave damage, officials on the islands said.

"Residents right on the coast should be concerned and evacuate the coast," especially in places like Hilo Bay on the island of Hawaii, said Barry Hirshorn, a geophysicist at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

The tsunami-warning center's models, based on readings from sensors, are predicting "very rough waves" from six to 10 feet high by the time the tsunami hits Hawaii at about 11:00 a.m. local time, Mr. Hirshorn [cq] said. Any major tsunami waves could be damaging, he said, because "the don't crash on the beach. They streamroll in and they streamroll out."

Evacuations were taking place on low-lying areas throughout the state, including the islands of Maui, Kauai and the most populated island, Oahu, where Honolulu lies.

The last time statewide evacuations were ordered for a tsunami was in 1994, but large waves failed to materialize then.

Some of the most intense preparations were taking place in the greater Hilo area, said Bill Hanson, administrative officer with the Hawaii County Civil Defense on the Big Island. The city of Hilo is situated on the southeastern side of the Big Island, facing the direction from which a tsunami wave as high as 14 feet was projected to hit, Mr. Hanson said.

The city is preparing for major damage if the waves are big. "It's not a matter of if, but when it will happen," Mr. Hanson said.

Federal officials closed the Hilo International Airport at 5:30 a.m. Saturday so the estimated 5,000 residents of coastal subdivisions lying next to it could evacuate more quickly across the tarmac, Mr. Hanson said.

Hotels were also emptying guests out of resorts. At the beachfront Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, officials said they had begun evacuating guests from the 286-room resort before tsunami sirens were scheduled to sound across Hawaii at about 6 a.m. They didn't have an estimate on evacuees, but said the hotel was 75% full.

Hotel staff, meanwhile, said they planned to follow suit afterwards. Desk clerk Marian Somalinog said she planned to evacuate at 9:30 a.m. -- almost two hours ahead of when the wave was expected to hit -- but added that she wasn't overly concerned. "If it's my time to go it's my time to go," Ms. Somalinog said.

The warnings were being taken seriously in Hawaii because the state -- especially around Hilo -- has been hit by giant tsunami waves before. At least three big ones have struck Hilo since World War II, including one in 1946 that killed 163 people and another in 1960 that killed 61, said Mr. Hanson.

The most recent loss of life from a tsunami on the island occurred in 1975 when a big wave killed three campers at a beachfront park, he said.

Authorities were hoping loss of life would be minimized this time, in part because tsunami drills are commonplace on the Big Island and throughout Hawaii. Evacuations were also being ordered on other parts of the island, including the affluent Kohala Kona coast where many large resorts are situated.

Waves there were expected to rise as much as seven feet. Other parts of Hawaii, including Maui and Oahu, were not considered in as great a threat because the Big Island lies in the path of the projected tsunami wave and would take the brunt of its force, Mr. Hanson said.

In Hilo, most of the area's 50,000 residents live on ground high enough to escape much damage from a tsunami. The area of greatest concern is a coastal plain around Hilo Bay where the Keaukaha subdivision by the international airport is located, as well as downtown Hilo.

Elsewhere, the tsunami was disrupting air routes to and from Hawaii. At San Francisco International Airport, delays in flights to airports in Hawaii were being reported as a result of the tsunami preparations.

People should stay away from coastlines for six to 12 hours after the wave to be safe, said Mr. Hirshorn, because the first waves aren't necessarily the biggest

Prince Kuhio 113 in Poipu

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:42:00 +0000

SummitPacific added a new condo to its Kauai vacation rental database of one bedroom condos on Kauai. Prince Kuhio 113 is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the ocean on Kauai’s beautiful south shore near Poipu Beach. Managed by Juliana Cherry of Ala Muku Vacation Rentals, unit 113 is spacious and comfortable and conveniently located on the first floor. It has a king size bed, fully equipped kitchen and a free hi-speed internet connection. There is a queen sofa sleeper in the living room.

Prince Kuhio, next to Prince Kuhio Park is a hidden gem and a delight. It’s quaint and quiet and close to restaurants, shopping and one of the island’s best snorkeling spots, Prince Kuhio is quite affordable with prices starting at just over $160/night plus taxes and fees.

The resort features a swimming pool, beautiful grounds and an outdoor barbeque area.

Hawaii's Climate is just about Perfect

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:47:00 +0000

Hawaii’s Climate is just about Perfect.

I grew up in the high desert regions of the west in Idaho, Utah, and Arizona with a four season’s lifestyle that included mild summers, beautiful fall colors, and very cold winters with lots of snow. (Because the word “cold” is subjective; let me just say that in Idaho, I remember mornings when it was 30 to 40 degrees below zero…Fahrenheit) As I grew up, it seemed that spring came later and later every year. March and April often were just sort of mud months. Things would start to warm up and bam - another snow storm would hit and send us back into winter. Luckily I did a lot of skiing and thought I could never give up my winters. I was pretty sure that I needed four seasons.

Then I got into bike and triathlon racing. In order to have a great racing season, it was necessary to have a long summer with lots of time on the bike. I started to spend my winters in Arizona so that I could train outdoors all winter. I soon realized it was pretty easy to go without snow. I didn’t miss it at all. Spending December in shorts and t-shirts was pretty nice. But let me tell you, summers in Arizona are brutal and worse than winters in Idaho. When people try to tell you that 120 degrees in the shade is okay because it’s a "dry heat" don’t listen to them. 120 degrees with or without humidity isn’t fun.

During the last 30 years or so, I’ve spend weeks and months at a time in Hawaii. Hawaii has an ideal climate year round. From the moment you step off the plane, the first thing that you notice it the moisture in the air; that and the fact that much of the airport in Honolulu is open air. Why have walls when the temperature outside is perfect?

The humidity is only a problem until you learn to dress down and relax. Ditch your shoes and socks and put on some sandals. Put on some shorts and a short sleeve Aloha shirt – after all you’re on vacation. Everybody in Hawaii is on vacation. Even if they don't know it, they're on vacation. Once you acclimatize, you’ll start to notice that your body actually likes moisture in the air. Your skin will feel better, your hair will look and feel better, and your sinuses will improve. Why wouldn't they, you’re breathing clean moist air that has just blown 3000 miles across the Pacific Ocean. When I fly home to the high desert plains of Utah, the first thing I notice is that my nose dries out and my sinuses starts to bleed, my hands and fingers develop painful cracks, and my hair gets all full of static and becomes brittle. My skin dries out and I get itchy. I long for moisture again.

Hawaii’s temperature stays nice all year round. The average temperature in Maui ranges from highs of about 80 to 88 Fahrenheit through the year and lows down to about 65 in January. Water temperatures range from about 75 in the winter to 73 in the summer. Kauai weather is a little cooler with temperatures averaging about 2 or 3 degrees below what you can expect on Maui.

Think of that the next time you’re out shoveling your driveway. I do.

Last Minute Hawaii Vacation Discounts

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:24:00 +0000

Because of last minute cancelations and a sluggish economy, owners of vacation rental homes and condos are finding themselves with a lot of nights that often go unrented. Most owners are happy to discount these nights in order to try to fill their calendars and keep their properties rented.

Many deals and discounts are available around the internet. Summit Pacific has a way for owners to advertise these deals on its Hawaii Vacation Discounts page. If you’re able to fly to Hawaii on short notice (usually within the next 30-60 days) you can find incredible savings; often up to 40% off the normal price.

Spectacular ocean view condos at Waipouli Beach Resort that normally rent for around $350/night are often available for $199. Some units at Hanalei Bay Resort are available now for $89/night.

Because the discounts offered on Summit’s Pages fluctuate from day to day, you need to move fast on these discounts.

Hanalei Bay Resort owners reach agreement with management

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:01:00 +0000

Hanalei Bay Resort owners reach agreement with management

By Coco Zickos - The Garden Island
Published: Friday, October 9, 2009 2:11 AM HST
HANALEI — An agreement has been reached between Hanalei Bay Resort owners and Florida-based management company Celebrity Resorts, according to a letter sent this week to members of the Vacation Owners Association and the Association of Apartment Owners.

Several allegations were made in recent months by timeshare and full-time condo owners regarding Celebrity Resorts’ involvement with the 30-year-old property. Since then, members of the VOA and AOAO Board of Directors, along with their legal counsel, had a “very busy summer” involving “confidential discussions with Celebrity Resorts,” the letter states.

California-based Trading Places International will assume management duties at the North Shore vacation destination, but Celebrity Resorts will continue to own Bali Hai restaurant and Happy Talk Lounge, the letter says.

TPI was one of the six management companies board representatives contacted when they sought “alternative management.”

“Their references are outstanding,” the letter says.

Celebrity Resorts will continue to have “exclusive rights to market timeshare sales at HBR and to rent unused timeshare weeks under an agreement with the VOA.”

“... We look forward to working with them in a harmonious relationship,” the letter states.

It was previously reported in a July 4 article titled “Hanalei Bay Resort owners battle management” that one reason owners sought to terminate Celebrity Resort’s contract was its inability to recognize board members of the VOA elected prior to management transitions.

However, there will be “a reconciliation and redefinition of association operational control in favor of the owners and the installation and empowering of a member-only board of directors,” according to the letter.

Dick Schweickert, VOA president, said he was “happy” with the outcome, but declined to make further comment due to “confidentiality.”

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” timeshare owner Lynn Kettleson said Wednesday. “It looks like a good resolution, but we’ll see how the details work out.”

Though he couldn’t speak for other owners, he said the boards should be “commended for doing a wonderful job of resolving this issue.”

A transition will occur where an auditor will “review all income, expenses and advances made by Celebrity for both of the association’s financials to generate a final monetary settlement.”

HBR employees will become TPI employees and it is TPI’s plan to retain “most” of them, according to the letter.

Vice President of TPI Resort Management Douglas Wilcox said they are “very excited,” but was unable to provide further comment at press time.

Attempts to reach Celebrity Resorts for comment were unsuccessful.

St. Regis Princeville Resort To Open in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 06:11:00 +0000

St. Regis Princeville Resort To Open in Hawaii

by Doug Porter

Nearing completion of a $40 million renovation, the former Princeville Hotel will open this month under the ultra-luxury St. Regis brand. A soft opening is scheduled for September 26th with the long awaited official grand opening set for October 1st.
Soon to become Hawaii's first and only St. Regis, this high-end luxury resort will certainly stir things up in Princeville on the north shore of Kauai which has been hit hard by the recent recession.

Over the past year many restaurants and shops on the island have been forced to close, adversely affected by the drop in tourist dollars. But Hawaii is starting to notice an uptick in visitor arrivals. Just as things are starting to turn around and visitors are coming back to Hawaii, the new resort will open with 252 guest rooms and 51 suites, four restaurants, several boutiques and shops, and a 10,000-square foot Spa and fitness center.

Although it might seem like bold move to open in this economy but the timing of the renovation was planned way before the economy took a nose dive. They had their plans and financing already in place and were able to do their construction and get the place built while tourism was down. Now they’ll open just as tourism on Hawaii is starting to show some signs of life. Things will probably be pretty soft until Christmas and hopefully a recovery will be underway going into 2010.

To celebrate the opening, the St. Regis is offering packaged specials which include free rounds of golf and other outdoor adventures, or free package deals at their spa and restaurant. But they are clearly marketing to the higher end guest with room rates starting at $465 dollars a night and going up to nearly $6,000 per night. It remains to be seen if those rates will hold up. They’re obviously going to be marketing to the rich and famous.

Those not willing to shell out the big bucks for a vacation at the St. Regis have other options. There are several other Kauai vacation rentals available in Princeville.

After waiting for over a year and putting up with the construction, owners of neighboring condos and rental homes are excited that the hotel is finally going to open. They’re expecting the St. Regis to help promote the island of Kauai and boost tourism on the island. They also expect that after seeing the rates that the hotel is planning to charge, (starting at about $500/night and going up to nearly $6,000/night) many guests will like what they can get next door at Hanalei Bay Resort and other condos in Princeville for a lot less money.

One condo owner at Puu Poa said he is excited to see the construction finally finished so that guests can stay in his condo and walk next door to the hotel to eat. “We’re planning to be there for the Grand Opening and we wish them well, but we won’t be spending the night.” “We’ll hang out on the beach with the celebrities but be able to come back to our own condo for some reality.”

Shortage of Rental Cars in Hawaii

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 17:14:00 +0000

By Doug Porter

An interesting thing happened this week. Hawaii car rental companies like Avis, Budget, Thrifty and all the others actually ran out of cars. Visitors to Hawaii are up and shortages exist on all islands.

For 8 or 9 months now, rental companies have been reducing the number of cars in their inventory to cut costs. Fleets have been reduced by more than 1500 cars, but the bump in visitors from President’s weekend and Mid-winter break caught rental companies by surprise. Either things aren’t as bad as they expected, or perhaps – dare I say it – we’ve rounded a corner?

Of course it’s too early to say, but the increase in visitors to the islands is a good sign. Not just for car rental companies, but for airlines, restaurants, hotels, vacation rentals and just about everyone else in Hawaii. And, if it’s the beginning of a national trend it could start to spread to other sectors. Rental car companies will start increasing fleets and helping automakers, etc.

I may be grasping at straws here, but I’ll take any good news I can get.

Welcome to Hawaii News & Information

noreply@blogger.com (DP) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 04:06:00 +0000

Welcome to the Hawaii News and Information blog.