Posted on: Tuesday, July 29, 2003

Hotel occupancy rates decline in June

By Dan Nakaso
Advertiser Staff Writer

Statewide hotel and resort condo occupancy rates dropped about 3 percent in June to 73.14 percent, representing the second decline in two months, according to a PKF Hawaii LLP report.

Only Maui, which had 78.86 percent occupancy versus 76.01 percent for June 2002, saw an increase. All other islands had declines, led by the Big Island with a 7.56 percent drop to 64.46 percent and O'ahu with a 5.69 percent decrease to 73.15 percent.

The overall statewide occupancy rate was 73.14 percent compared to 75.41 percent for June 2002.

"Historically, June, July and August are strong months for Hawai'i's hotel industry and with June already posting a decrease, it would be encouraging to see an improvement in performance during the remainder of the summer season," said Daisy Aio, PKF-Hawaii director of tourism consulting.

The statewide average daily room rate increased 2.67 percent to $144.54 for June — up from $140.78 last June. Hotels saw a 2.39 percent increase in average daily room rate compared to a 4.39 percent jump for the resort condominium segment.

But revenue per available room dropped from $106.15 in June a year ago to $105.71 last month.

Overall for the first half of 2003, statewide occupancy increased .10 percent. Average daily room rates jumped 3.94 percent.

Occupancy rates rose in the first six months on Maui (77.17 percent compared with 75.06 percent); Kaua'i (70.78 percent compared with 69.44 percent) and Moloka'i (52.58 percent compared with 51.19 percent).

O'ahu saw a 1.06 percent decrease to 73.55 percent for the period. The Big Island had a 1.51 percent drop to 67.31 percent.

Reach Dan Nakaso at 525-8085 or at dnakaso@honoluluadvertiser.com.