BUSINESS BRIEFS
Outrigger Reef facelift almost pau
Advertiser Staff
The Outrigger Reef on the Beach is entering the final phase of a $110 million makeover with the opening of the Pacific Tower and its 403 renovated guest rooms and 33 enlarged suites.
The Outrigger Reef also recently completed its new porte cochere and driveway. Arriving guests now enter the property via the hotel's canoe hale, where a century-old canoe is displayed.
Earlier, the hotel opened its beachfront Ocean Tower — also completely rebuilt with spacious new rooms and suites, as well as a remodeled fitness center, sit-down check-in desk, on-site rental car service, new shops, lobby showcase of cultural artifacts, sitting room and a collection of Hawai'i literary works.
In the coming months, the property will welcome more shops, a new pool deck and Kani Ka Pila Grille, a casual poolside restaurant highlighting Hawai'i's rich musical legacy.
NEWSPAPER WILL COST 25 CENTS MORE
The newsstand price for The Honolulu Advertiser will be increased on O'ahu to 75 cents for Monday-through-Saturday editions and $2 for the Sunday edition, effective Oct. 12.
The increase, the first on O'ahu since 1995, is the result of rising costs for fuel and raw materials. The newsstand price currently is 50 cents Monday through Saturday and $1.75 on Sundays.
HVCB HONORED 4TH YEAR IN A ROW
For the fourth straight year, the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau was honored for service to incentive and corporate planners.
The 2008 Platinum Partner Award from Incentive magazine was presented yesterday at the 16th Annual Platinum Partners Celebration and Reception in Chicago at the John Hancock building, said Michael Murray, HVCB's vice president of sales and marketing for corporate meetings and incentives.
Incentive magazine honored HVCB based on votes received from planners nationwide, who recognized HVCB's excellence in providing products and services to motivate employees and customers. Criteria used for determining the award included the motivational appeal of Hawai'i as a destination, the quality and professionalism of service by HVCB and Hawai'i's meetings industry, and the degree of creativity and promotional support.
ALOHA AIR CARGO ADDS NEW SERVICES
Aloha Air Cargo said that starting Wednesday it will add two new interisland services: Same-Day Express Service and Lovable Pet Air Services.
The new product roll-out is in conjunction with companywide changes that includes aircraft upgrades, enhanced customer services and a rebranding of Aloha Air Cargo.
An unveiling ceremony showcasing the company's new logo is scheduled Wednesday, with the new company emblem revealed on a freshly painted Aloha Air Cargo plane.
The Same-Day Express Service offers routes between Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo and Kona and has various flight times throughout the day. All express shipments are guaranteed to arrive at destinations within one hour of the original scheduled arrival time. Shipments not made on time will result in a 50 percent refund of shipping charges, the company said.
The company has hired an animal specialist for its pet transport service to ensure that animals are safe and secure throughout the flight process. In addition to traditional pet transport, Aloha Air Cargo also provides air transportation for animals including, sheep, miniature horses, potbelly pigs, turtles, seals, rare native birds, pheasant chickens and, most recently, a water buffalo used in the filming of Tropic Thunder on Kaua'i.
