Michael Jackson Dies - Drugs?

Reprinted by the Honolulu Advertiser
By Wayne Harada
Special to The Advertiser

Performers from Tihati Productions' Polynesian shows are bringing Island song and dance to the White House's South Lawn Thursday night to highlight a lu'au fit for a president. It will be held on Friday only in the event of rain.

President Obama and the first family are expected to attend the picnic. A welcome side benefit: Publicity from the event could provide a shot in the arm for Hawai'i tourism.
The Obamas will join congressional delegations from the 50 states and their families in sampling Island culture and feasting on a Hawai'i-inspired menu created and prepared by chef Alan Wong.
"When we received the call from the White House to inform us that we've been chosen to perform for the president, I wondered, 'How do they know about Tihati Productions?' " said a pleased Jack Thompson, patriarch of the company. After "celebrating 40 years in the entertainment business, the opportunity to perform at the White House is the ultimate."

"I thought it was a prank," said Tihati's Cha Thompson.
Then she realized this was the real deal.
"Tihati is the ambassador of Hawai'i to the White House for all of us — has been, for a long time," said Jerry Gibson, general manager of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, which is helping pay for the trip.

"I've known them for more than 25 years, when they opened at the Hyatt Regency Maui. All of us in the (visitor) industry here will benefit from their performance — the spotlight will be on Hawai'i, and it's got to help all of us ... in this economic time."
The Island delegation leaves tonight. The itinerary includes a tour of the White House arranged by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka.

6 FIRE-KNIFE DANCERS

Expect a lot of aloha along the way, said Cha Thompson.
The show will include hula by Thompson, who will perform "E Nei" in a rare return to the spotlight, and other elements from Tihati's showroom spectacles.
"The White House specifically wanted a Samoan knife twirler," she said. "Well, we will bring six fire-knife dancers, who will do a pyramid formation."

Tihati performances draw on the traditions of Hawai'i, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, the Cook Islands and Maori New Zealand. To fill out the cast for this special performance, the Thompsons raided Tihati productions at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, The Royal Hawaiian, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, the Hyatt Regency Maui, the Hyatt Regency Kaua'i and the Waikoloa Marriott.
"We're pulling out our best, bringing four giant pahu, measuring 10 feet high and 4 feet in diameter," said Cha Thompson. "We'll do hula, Tahitian, everything ... and we'll feature that six-man Samoan fire dance pyramid."

'WE ARE HONORED'

Misty Tufono, daughter of the Thompsons, who is vice president of the family company's Maui Division and a performer in Tihati's new show at The Royal Hawaiian hotel, will perform a traditional oli, "Mele O Na Kai 'Ewalu," which she describes as a chant "that programs the eight glorious ocean channels of our Islands."

Tufono said the White House engagement will help stimulate interest in the Islands — to help distinguish and expose Hawaiian and other Polynesian entertainment forms — and perhaps help boost visitor occupancy in the future.
"We are honored to represent Hawai'i," she said.
________________________________________
Correction: A lu'au planned for the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., will be held tomorrow. It will be held on Friday only in the event of rain. An incorrect day was given in a previous version of this story.

Where Brides May Cut Back

Reprinted from idobride.com

Is The World On The Brink Of A Pandemic?

The Swine Flu, H1N1, is believed to have started in La Gloria, Mexico where a 5 year old boy was confirmed to have it in late March. Since then it has killed 160 and is suspected in sickening nearly 3000 in Mexico. Currently there are over 100 confirmed cases in the US.

Vice President Joe Biden said in an interview today on the TODAY Show that he would urge his family not to fly anywhere in a confined aircraft or take the subway. The President has said that we will not close the boarders or suspend flights, except to and from Mexico. Schools in Texas are closed and more school closures are expected. See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/30494440#30494440 for more about the Swine Flu pandemic. There have been no travel restrictions.

The World Heath Organization as urged countries around the world to activate their pandemic emergency plans and has raised the alert to Phase 5 (Phase 6 is the highest alert level). With confirmed cases in Mexico, US, Canada, Spain, UK, Ireland, Germany, New Zealand, Israel, Austria, Netherlands, Peru and France, and the fact that it could be much worse than is reported, should I stay home and not travel at this time? See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30485593/ for reported cases worldwide.

They say not to overreact, but it's all you hear about today. Although there are no confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Hawaii, you may be fearful to travel anywhere during this heightened pandemic alert. We at Hawaiian Island Weddings understand that there may be situations beyond your control which may prevent you from coming to Hawaii for your wedding. There may be school closures where you live which could cause you to postpone or cancel your trip. There could be airport closures and flights out of the US may be suspended. Rest assured that we will reschedule your wedding if you are worried about the pandemic or fearful of flying at this time.

For current wedding bookings:
If your trip to Hawaii is canceled due to airport closure, natural or man made disaster, etc. or if you choose not to come to Hawaii due to pandemic or fear, and you do not want to reschedule, your balance will be refunded if you choose to cancel your wedding. The nonrefundable deposits paid will not be refunded if you cancel for any reason.

For new wedding bookings:
If your trip to Hawaii is canceled due to airport closure, natural or man made disaster, etc. or if you choose not to come to Hawaii due to pandemic or fear, and you do not want to reschedule, your balance will be refunded if you choose to cancel your wedding providing you have added wedding package insurance of $150. Your deposits and insurance premium paid will not be refunded if you cancel for any reason.

We are not trying to scare you, just to give you the facts and our policy regarding the Swine Flu pandemic. This may just slow down and be petering out. Currently all deaths have only happened only in Mexico, where there is more poverty and less efficient medical care. Cases in the US have been mild, so this may just be a sign to take more precautions. Of course, if you feel sick, it is probably best to stay home and not fly. If this causes you to postpone your wedding plans we will be happy to do so without penalty on our end. Some other companies contracted for your wedding may have their own policies regarding this. When booking travel through our website or on your own, make sure to purchase travel insurance. Although we are confident that their policies will be as lenient as possible.

See a slide show about Swine Flu worries internationally at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30410284/displaymode/1247/

Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger?

Why should the wedding ring be worn on the fourth finger? There is
a beautiful and convincing explanation given by the Chinese.....

Thumb represents your Parents
Second (Index) finger represents your Siblings
Middle finger represents your-Self
Fourth (Ring) finger represents your Life Partner
& the Last (Little) finger represents your children

Firstly, open your palms (face to face), bend the middle fingers
and hold them together - back to back
Secondly, open and hold the remaining three fingers and the thumb -
tip to tip (As shown in the figure to the right):

Now, try to separate your thumbs (representing the parents)...,
they will open, because your parents are not destined to live with
you lifelong, and have to leave you sooner or later.

Please join your thumbs as before and separate your Index fingers
(representing siblings)...., they will also open, because your
brothers and sisters will have their own families and will have to
lead their own separate lives.

Now join the Index fingers and separate your Little fingers
(representing your children)...., they will open too, because the
children also will get married and settle down on their own some day.

Finally, join your Little fingers, and try to separate your Ring
fingers (representing your spouse).
You will be surprised to see that you just CANNOT....., because
Husband & Wife have to remain together all their lives - through
thick and thin!!

Fewer Marriage Licenses Were Issued In 2008

By honoluluadvertiser.com | Mar 09, 2009

According to state visitor statistics, the number of people traveling to Hawaii to get married last year plunged 16 percent from the previous year, to approximately 60,100 couples. The decline in matrimony-minded tourists outpaced the 11 percent drop in overall visitor arrivals for 2008 that was attributed to rising travel costs and uncertainty about the economy.

Tim Clark of Hawaiian Island Weddings, which provides wedding planning services on four islands, said he handled 111 weddings last year, down from 160 in 2007. He said the local wedding industry took a serious hit in early 2008 from skyrocketing fuel prices that led to higher airfares and contributed to the demise of Aloha and ATA airlines.

"That was the big thing that happened. We had people already scheduled to do weddings, and some canceled and many downsized. Instead of 20 guests they ended up bringing three guests," he said.

As the recession deepens, it appears more couples are rethinking their wedding plans. Visitor statistics from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism indicate January saw a 20 percent drop in visitors who came to Hawaii for nuptials over the same month in 2008.

Clark said January also is a key booking period for wedding planners, since many couples get engaged over the winter holidays. He said his company's web site logged only 400 visits a day during the month, down from the usual 600 to 700 daily hits.

Many of those who decide to wed in Hawaii are scaling back their budgets and guest lists. "Rather than buying a complete wedding package they are buying minister-only ceremonies," he said. Larry Mischle of Larry Mischle Caterer Extraordinaire Inc. said he normally starts the year with 20 new bookings, "but this year I have zero ... It's really not a pretty picture."

Mischle, who is president of the Maui Wedding Association, also blames the drop in visitor nuptials on new state rules requiring permits and placing restrictions on beach weddings and Maui County's crackdown on transient vacation rentals, which often are favored by family groups traveling for weddings. "The message has gone out that Maui is not a friendly island to mainland brides," he said.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources began requiring beach right-of-entry permits for weddings in August. The agency said it issued 3,999 permits statewide, at a minimum cost of US$20 each, through February 26, but without comparison data, it's difficult to say whether the number of beach weddings has dropped since the new requirements took effect.

"More than one wedding coordinator has told us this month (February) that business has been picking up," said DLNR spokeswoman Debbie Ward.

DBEDT does not have data on the economic impact of visitor weddings, which stretches across a wide spectrum of businesses including photographers, entertainers, florists, venue providers, and bakeries. But wedding visitors do spend significantly more than other market segments, according to Eugene Tian, DBEDT research and statistical officer.

"Wedding visitors usually spend more than regular visitors because of their activities. They rent luxury cars, eat at high-end restaurants, and stay in high-end hotels, so they have much higher spending," Tian said.

The Wedding Report Inc., a market research firm, estimated the average cost of a wedding in Kailua, Oahu in the range of US$30,900 to US$51,500, in Waikiki US$22,300 to US$37,200, and in Lahaina, Maui US$19,600 to US$32,600. The figures do not include indirect spending by visiting bridal groups on meals, rental cars, shopping, and other expenses.

The Wedding Report said nuptial spending nationally was down 24 percent last year.

Wedding photographer Dave Miyamoto thinks people tend to be even more cautious with their spending in a presidential election year. He said he worked 60 weddings last year, down from 90 in 2007.

"It's mixed. Businesses that market to the higher-end brides did better. For the ones that are doing smaller weddings, it's a little tougher," said Miyamoto, president of the Oahu Wedding Association. He said he started getting more inquiries immediately after the election and is hoping business will pick up in 2009. "It's looking better but I don't think it's going to be like 2007 and 2006 because spending habits have changed," he said.

Clark said weddings are important to the state's visitor industry because they provide a reason for people to visit Hawaii, and because many involve large groups that spend large. "Tourists come two at a time. With a wedding, they're coming 20 people at a time," he said. Economic concerns aside, Clark said Hawaii remains a top choice for destination weddings. He said he already is seeing an uptick in business and is optimistic the industry will rebound by 2010.

Miyamoto suggested that Hawaii may be able to benefit from recent travel warnings about Mexico, a chief tourism competitor suffering from rampant drug-related violence.

Only about 25 percent of the nonresident couples who hold weddings in Hawaii file for marriage licenses here. For the others, their Hawaii wedding is for ceremonial purposes. Approximately 15,800 licenses were issued to visitors in 2008, the lowest number in seven years, according to Department of Health records.

In the peak year of 2005, nearly 20,000 marriage licenses were issued to nonresidents, but since then, there has been three years of steady decline in numbers. The 12 percent drop in 2008 was the largest decrease in at least a decade.

DOH records show 6,471 marriage licenses were issued last year to nonresident couples planning a Maui wedding, a 16 percent decline. On Oahu, 5,322 nonresident marriage licenses were issued in 2008, down 7 percent; on the Big Island, 1,422 licenses were issued, down 14.5 percent; and on Kauai, 2,553, down 10 percent. The numbers are the lowest since 2001, when the travel industry was impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The economy doesn't seem to be keeping Hawaii residents from tying the knot. Health Department statistics show the number of marriage licenses issued to residents has remained mostly stable in recent years. In 2008, 9,600 marriage licenses were issued to Hawaii couples. May and August were the most popular months for weddings, and December the least popular.

Press Release

FEBRUARY 24, 2009 BELGIAN: Noted book author Birgit Krols and Tectum Publishers are in the final stages of putting together his next book EXTREME VENUES, the latest in a series of EXTREME coffee table books which include EXTREME HOTELS, EXTREME RESTAURANTS and EXTREME BARS. EXTREME VENUES features the most unique event spaces in the world and has included the unique “Submarine Wedding” offered by Hawaiian Island Weddings, Inc. in Maui, Hawaii. The 192 page picture book includes 4 pages about the Submarine wedding package and gives credit to Hawaiian Island Weddings, Inc. and Atlantis Adventures of Maui.

Birgit Krols said, “We want to thank you again for supplying us images to use in our publication Extreme Venues. It is truly our pleasure to showcase your initiative as one of the most unique venues in the world. We have completed the layout process and have the pages available for your final approval (see pdf page attached).”

In 2005 Hawaiian Island Weddings, Inc.’s “Submarine Wedding” package was dreamed up by its President Tim Clark while creating new and unusual wedding venues for wedding couples coming to Maui. “We do the normal beach weddings, church weddings, garden and waterfall weddings, but we were looking for something truly unique to offer to our over 30 wedding packages in Hawaii. The idea of being married underwater in a comfortable, air conditioned real submarine, complete with all the trimmings; minister, musician, video, photography and even a Champagne toast afterwards, would appeal to the young adventurous wedding couple who were tired of the same old church wedding scene", Clark said.

Since advertising the “Submarine Wedding” on their website at hawaiianislandweddings.com, the story has been seen on the popular television travel program GETAWAY in Australia, featured in TIME magazine in the United Kingdom, U Travel magazine in Japan, among others.

Also, various websites have featured the “Submarine Wedding” package, namely; hawaii.com, locationweddings.net, brides.com, themauipage.com, mymauiwedding.net, and sunwukong.cn in China, as well as a number of blogs, including; siwwypig.wordpress.com, mymauiwedding.blogspot.com.

Hawaii.com said, “Where else but Hawaii could you arrange a private submarine wedding? Dive to 150 feet off the coast of Maui to say your vows in an underwater paradise teeming with sea life. But that's not all: expect other Hawaiian touches like a haku head lei, hula dancer, musicians, plus admission for up to 40 friends on this 45-minute adventure under the sea.”

Testimonials

Testimonials

Weddings in paradise are on the decline

Reprinted from the Sun Gazett.com


HONOLULU - Twinkling waters. Swaying palms. Powdery sand. Sorbet sunsets. Graceful hula dancers. Ahhhhh, Hawaii.

Long regarded as a hot spot for destination weddings, it whispers ''exotic'' without requiring a battery of shots or a passport.
But over the last year, a perfect storm has soaked the local wedding industry: a shaky national economy, the shutdown of two major airlines servicing the islands, and a statewide crackdown enforcing permits for beach weddings.

''People just aren't coming here,'' said Penei Aller, who runs Beach Weddings Hawaii with her husband, Dard. They were involved with 62 weddings last year - a company record. This year, they've only booked about half that.

Aller, a Big Island minister and singer, has been doing weddings since the 1970s. Because her company tends to coordinate smaller events, she thought they'd weather the downturn more easily.

She was wrong.

''For December, we have more baptisms than weddings,'' Aller said. ''That's never happened before.''

The problems started when Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines abruptly went out of business just days apart in April. The economy was already faltering and worsened as the year progressed.
Fuel prices reached all-time highs and reasonably priced airline tickets were increasingly scarce.
Then, Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources announced it would begin in August to enforce a requirement that many beach weddings needed a permit. ''I think initially when the announcement came out in the summer, people were kind of stunned,'' said Susan O'Donnell of Aloha Wedding Planners on Oahu. ''It just seemed a little untimely.''

Morris Atta, who leads the land division for the state agency, said the law is meant to protect the public beaches and originally targeted commercial boating operations in Kauai. It expanded to include weddings after a Maui party refused to cooperate with officials.

The permits are required for most weddings that hire any professional services on the beach, including wedding planners or ministers.

Usually, the professionals file for the permits for the wedding couples as proof of liability insurance is required.

Violators could face fines of up to $5,000, but Atta said that so far people have been complying and no fines have been issued.

Since August, the state has tightened the rules several times. Beach weddings now may last no more than two hours.

No chairs may be brought onto the beach except those needed for the elderly and disabled, and fewer decorations are allowed.
''We understand the beaches are public and they are there for the masses to enjoy,'' said O'Donnell, adding that the state made the permit process simpler by putting it online in the last few months.

But she thinks some of the new rules are too strict. Wedding-industry professionals are assembling recommendations for state officials that they hope will be an acceptable compromise.
The decline in weddings, however, isn't just a wedding issue, noted Marsha Wienert, Hawaii's tourism liaison: Tourism in general is down.

The number of air visitors fell 7.9 percent in the first 10 months of 2008 and total visitor days were down 8.1 percent from the same period in 2007.

And it's not just Hawaii. ''Tourism around the world is being affected by our (U.S.) economy,'' Wienert said.

According to the Hawaii Department of Health, 12,377 non-residents were married in the state through September 2008. That's an 11 percent drop from 13,887 for the same period in 2007.
Many of those who do come to Hawaii are having smaller weddings and ordering fewer services.
Christine Gardner, a hair and makeup artist, said brides are still getting their hair and makeup professionally done, but many are no longer paying for their bridesmaids to join them.

''They're really rethinking what they need,'' said Gardner, who co-owns the salon Flaunt.
O'Donnell, who has been in the wedding business since 1990, typically helps coordinate about 80 events annually. She has seen a 30 percent to 40 percent drop over the last year.

And Dave Miyamoto, a photographer and president of the Oahu Wedding Association, said his business is down 20 percent from last year. Back then, he said, he was getting bookings at least a year in advance. Now, the calls he receives are more likely to be for a wedding a month or two away.

''People are a little more careful with their money right now,'' he said.

Hawaiian Island Weddings Has a New Look for 2009

I haven't updated this blog lately, as I've been working for weeks updating the website. Now we have a new look for 2009. The last update was last year. Here is the history.. we've come a long way.

2004

2006

2008

Besides changing all our home pages for each island, many inside pages have more detail, have been given a face lift, and have been optimized for W3C Html 4.01. The home page for Maui & Hawaii have links to a pop up slide show of an actual wedding on that island using a video icon placed in the main photo. More information is available in the pop up windows, a "Ask a question. icon has been placed on every page and answers will be given quickly, the Booking form has new mouse over question marks to help you fill out the form more efficiently and give you quick answers when booking your wedding. Typos and incorrect links have been fixed and the site map has been remade to reflect all the page changes. Many old outdated pages and a number of internal use maps have been deleted leaving enough memory to add the second slide show.

Look for the home page to have up to 7 different photos which will be changed from time to time.. we get tired of seeing the same thing too.