BUSINESS BRIEFS
Hawaii flower values kept growing
Advertiser Staff
The value of Hawai'i's cut flowers, flowering plants and other nursery products hit a new record last year, rising 7.3 percent from a year earlier to $105.9 million.
The Big Island accounted for almost half of the total sales at $51.8 million, with its sales rising 2 percent above 2006 levels.
Next was O'ahu at $38.4 million, 15 percent higher than a year earlier.
Maui County sales totaled $12.4 million, or 5 percent more, and Kaua'i's sales climbed 15 percent to $3.4 million.
In terms of individual flowers or potted nursery products, potted palms ranked first and were followed by potted dracaena, potted dendrobiums, cut anthuriums and sod. Rounding out the top 10 were potted oncidiinae, cut dendrobiums, proteas, cut gingers and potted poinsettias.
HOSPITALITY ADVISORS AMONG LARGEST
Hawai'i hospitality, tourism and real estate consulting firm Hospitality Advisors LLC has been ranked the 15th-largest independent hotel consultancy in the nation, according to the hotel industry's primary trade publication, Hotel & Motel Management.
The ranking was determined in a national survey, based on annual consulting revenues. Hospitality Advisors generated about $1.3 million in consulting revenues during 2007.
The company provides strategic planning and research for such clients as Starwood Capital, Goldman Sachs, Mitsubishi-UBS (Japan REIT), HOST Marriott, Hilton Hotels Corp., Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Halekulani Hotels & Resorts, Castle & Cooke, the state of Hawai'i, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
This is the third year in a row the Hawai'i-based company has ranked among the nation's top 20 independent hotel consulting firms.
Current assignments include deal structuring and strategic planning for two new hotel projects on O'ahu, major strategic planning and repositioning assignments for several luxury resorts on the Neighbor Islands, and ongoing work for the state and the Waikiki Improvement Association.
"Despite the current downturn in the economy, our practice continues to grow. We have recently added staff and are about to expand our office space to better service our clients," said Joseph Toy, president and CEO.
'GREEN' INSURANCE FOR ISLAND HOMES
Hawai'i is among 26 states where Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. will offer "green" insurance for homeowners, allowing policy holders to rebuild homes to green standards should their residence be completely destroyed.
Homeowners will be able to rebuild and replace with Energy Star-rated appliances and lighting, Forest Stewardship Council certified wood, water-saving plumbing fixtures, non-toxic paints and carpeting, and debris removal for recycling instead of going into landfills.
'HIGH SCHOOL REUNION' SET ON KAUA'I
"High School Reunion," a reality show on the TV Land cable network, is filming an upcoming season using Kaua'i as its backdrop.
The show is bringing together members of the class of 1988 from Chandler High School in Arizona and will record them as they reconnect with old friends and make new connections with former classmates. The eight one-hour Kaua'i episodes are slated to air in early 2009.
Prior to airing on TV Land, the series produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Entertainment ran for three seasons on the WB Network.
