Wet, windy winter buffets tour firms
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
While Hawai'i hotels were enjoying one of their busiest seasons ever during the winter, the skies haven't been so clear for companies specializing in ocean and other outdoor activities.
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This past winter was wetter and windier than normal. But you don't have to tell that to outdoor activity businesses, many of whom have had to cancel more tours and events.
Companies offering ocean and outdoor activities have been hurt most by the past winter's wet and windy weather, despite record arrivals from the Mainland and growing numbers from Japan.
Companies offering ocean activities appeared to have been affected the most.
Ko Olina Ocean Adventures, which runs snorkeling, mammal-watching and scuba diving tours on the Leeward Coast, worked for only about 11 days in January because the weather was too bad the rest of the month, said co-owner Todd Pickering.
"We've had cold front after cold front after cold front and ... big surf," Pickering said. "We took quite a beating this winter."
"It didn't let up. We lost and lost and lost. December, January, February and March. It started to get a little bit better in the last couple of weeks of March."
Hawai'i's visitor arrivals have been up all winter, with record numbers coming from the Mainland and growing numbers from Japan. Hotels had their best January since 1991, based on occupancy. Meanwhile room rates have been rising.
The winter months have not been as kind to tour operators. Even when the weather appears to be clear, it may not be possible for boat tours to operate.
Shane Griffin, owner of Ocean Joy Cruises, which runs snorkeling and whale-watching tours on West O'ahu, said high winds at sea will often disrupt operations, which is hard for some guests to understand.
"This was a very unusually unkind January, February and March as far as the weather for boat tours," Griffin said. "It's been hard on all the tour operators — the weather, the sea conditions."
Ronald Williams, president and CEO of Atlantis Adventures, said the firm had to cancel its submarine tours in Waikiki for about 10 days in January — including five consecutive days — because windy conditions made it unsafe to shuttle passengers to the submarine.
"The kona winds were blowing really hard for five days in a row," he said. "That's the longest I can remember, and I've been here for 10 years now. That's tough, man. That was really tough. It definitely slows us down.
"Mother Nature helps us underwater but once in a while gives us some challenges outside of the water. Weather does affect us, some years better than others. And we've had those fronts coming through pretty fast and rapid this year."
Still, many activities businesses report overall higher demand and better times in the industry, despite the weather.
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Pickering said business has been improving every year and that if the weather had cooperated, "we probably would have had a real banner year."
Olga Melmik from Sacramento, Calif., did not let a December downpour spoil her family's vacation as she and daughter Inna dug in on Waikiki Beach with Kristina in her mom's arms.
Williams, who heads the Activities and Attractions Association of Hawai'i, said O'ahu members who attended a recent meeting reported "business is great."
"The weather ... did hamper .... However, their numbers are still good."
He also said Neighbor Island activities and attractions report solid business, adding that visitors from the cruise ships have particularly helped.
Kyle Ono, owner of Aloha Aina Eco Tours, watches the weather closely and has seen more tour cancellations this winter and last winter than in previous years.
"Things have been getting progressively better since 9/11 despite the rainy weather," he said. "But it does affect our business for sure. ... When it's raining the reservations don't come in. People look at the weather and they don't want to go hiking."
But while heavy rain and winds are a concern, "we're kind of like farmers — you can't control the weather," Ono said. "It's just shikataganai," he said, using the Japanese word for "it can't be helped."
But Duck Tours, which conducts tours on refurbished World War II amphibious transport vehicles, hasn't seen much of a difference, said Debbie Needham, who does sales and marketing for the company. Her husband, owner Miles Needham, "always says that if it's not snowing, we're going," she said.
"People are going to get wet whether they're in the rain or in the sun, but on the Duck, they also hand out rain gear," she said. "If people are scheduled for the Duck, we go, unless there's gale force."
Reach Lynda Arakawa at 535-2470 or larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.
