Because of the recession and the slowdown in tourism, it`s a buyer`s market for travelers to Hawaii in late summer and fall, especially on the decidedly uncrowded Neighbor Islands.
On the island of Oahu, Japanese tourists, most of whom seek an urban and shopping experience, have kept business relatively brisk. But on the quieter shores of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai and the island of Hawaii, the room bargains have increased as the number of Mainland U.S. visitors have declined. Occupancy rates in some hotels are reported as low as 8 percent. Most properties are running about half-full, however, and the best deals have come from some of the superdeluxe resorts.
Here are a few brief samples, but more details are available by calling the toll-free numbers. (Remember, hotels generally charge 5 percent transient tax plus Hawaii`s standard 4 percent sales tax.)
Hawaii in general
The lowest advance-purchase air fares available at press time were $489 round-trip from Chicago to Honululu on American and United.
American Hawaii Cruises has an autumn bargain for those sailing next year. It has extended its deadline to Sept. 30 for travelers to book 1993 cruises at 1992 fares.
Budget Rent a Car has inaugurated a Pleasure Islands Program, which includes a coupon book for free meals and free admission to several attractions. (Call 800-527-7000.)
Some hotel chains and condo firms, with locations on several islands, have announced promotions. Sheraton`s Ocean Promotion, originally scheduled to end last spring, has been extended twice-now, to Dec. 20. It offers a 20 percent discount from its published rates on ocean-view rooms. Sheraton also has a Value Line plan: discounts on a standard room, with free upgrades, subject to availability. Some Sheratons also have a Fourth Night Free package, plus some plans for golfers and honeymooners. (Call 800-325-3535.)
Aston Hotels & Resorts gives its guests the Aston Fun Book, with coupons for free or discounted meals, gifts and attractions. Guests also can get a rental car for $9 a day. Travelers over 55 receive discounts up to 20 percent off published room rates plus a free rental car for each night`s stay. (Call 800-922-7866.)
Village Resorts, a collection of condos on several islands, has kept its 1992 rates at 1991 levels. It also has a Fifth Night Free program and a free rental car with a minimum two-night stay. (Call 800-367-7052.)
Colony Hotels and Resorts has a fourth, fifth or seventh night free plans at various properties on all islands. (Call 800-777-1700.)
Maui
Traditionally the most popular of the Neighbor Islands, Maui is unaccustomed to economic reversals. Some of its more prestigious resorts have decided to tough it out, letting occupancies remain low until the recession bottoms out. Happily, there are exceptions:
The Kea Lani, Maui`s new all-suite hotel in the Wailea resort area, once had minimums of nearly $300 a day. Today it offers some suites at $199 nightly, and for that it throws in a midsize rental car. (Call 800-659-4100.) Also in Wailea, the Maui Inter-Continental Resort has lowered its published prices to more than 25 percent below those of 1991. Also, the hotel will continue to offer a sixth night free and a complimentary continental breakfast until Christmas. (Call 800-367-2960.)
Over in Kaanapali, the island`s older resort area, several properties will continue until about Christmas the family plans they have been featuring throughout the summer. In addition, the Westin Maui offers a compact rental car with unlimited mileage when you book a standard room for $199 a night. Better cars come with higher-priced rooms. (Call 800-228-3000.)
Far out in the Kapalua resort area, the Kapalua Villas has summer rates through Dec. 19. Accommodations begin at one-bedroom villas, sleeping four, for $150 a night, and two-bedroom villas, sleeping six, for $200 a night. There are also golf and honeymoon packages, and ”villa and vehicle”
combinations. (Call 800-545-0018.)
When the new Ritz-Carlton Kapalua opens in October, there will be
”preview rates” as low as $219 nightly until Christmas, when they jump to a minimum of $285. (Call 800-845-9905.)
Hawaiiana Resorts has the Maui Banyan and five other condos around the island available at minimum rates from $90 to $160, all including rental cars. And if you hang around for more than six nights, the seventh one is free.
(Call 800-367-7040.)
Kauai
The Stouffer Waiohai Beach is celebrating its 30th anniversary by discounting its rates 30 percent for six nights, and then the seventh night is $30. (Call 800-HOTELS-1.)
The Outrigger Plantation Hale, a small, low-rise hotel north of Lihue, offers a Free Ride plan-a car for guests who book at the regular rates, which begin at $120 a night through August, $105 a night after Sept. 1. (Call 800-733-7777.)
Nearby, the Islander on the Beach, with normal rates of $95 to $195, now will toss in a compact car. There are also golf and tennis arrangements. (Call 800-847-7417.)
The venerable Coco Palms Hotel, which attracted Elvis Presley about 1960, has rock and rolled its regular rates back to 1990 levels, most normal rooms running $95 to $145. The pot is sweetened further by stirring in a car and breakfast. (Call 800-822-7189.)
Out at Princeville, the Hanalei Bay Resort has several deals, including a fifth night free and a room-and-car special. Children are free in the same room. (Call 800-827-4427.)
Big Island of Hawaii
The prestigious Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which made headlines when it announced major cutbacks in its staff, has deals for families or friends traveling together. When two rooms are reserved, the second will be $75 off the regular rate. The deals get better for still more rooms. Check out some other programs for golf, tennis, scuba, returning guests, etc. (Call 800-882-6060.)
Farther down the coast, the Royal Waikoloan still has rates beginning at $99 a night, but now that includes a rental car-a good deal, as most guests find wheels handy at the location. There are also some golf specials. Much farther south, out of the Kohala Coast district, the Kona Surf Resort has rooms beginning at $99, including a car. Families can get a second room (but not a second car) for $75 a night. (Call 800-367-8011.)
