10 Hawaii resorts among world’s best

Travel + Leisure magazine readers consider 10 Hawaii resorts to be among the 500 best in the world. The new 2014 T+L 500 list, released Friday, was compiled based on data from the 2013 World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.

The Hawaii resorts and hotels that made the list, in order of score, are Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (92.90) on Hawaii island; Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (91.72); Oahu’s Kahala Hotel & Resort (91.27); Four Seasons Resort Lanai, The Lodge at Koele (91.07); Kauai’s St. Regis Princeville Resort (90.43); Halekulani (90.28) and Royal Hawaiian (90.15) on Oahu; Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui (88.90); Honua Kai Resort & Spa (88.80), also on Maui; and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (87.71) on Hawaii island.

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai was the only Hawaii resort among the Top 100 in the world, according to the magazine’s scoring system.

State clears affordable-housing developer

The state Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp. approved New Jersey-based Michaels Development Co. as the developer for 300 affordable rental apartments in East Kapo­lei on state land Thursday.

The agency now will move ahead negotiating a development agreement with the company to establish detailed terms for the $109 million project on 20 acres near the Salvation Army Kroc Center.

Michaels anticipates starting construction late next year or early 2015 and finishing in late 2018 or early 2019.

The company responded to a June request for proposals and outscored three other bidders — Hawaii Housing Development Corp., Hunt Development Group LLC and Hui Kauhale Inc.

Outlets of Maui celebrates opening

The Outlets of Maui held a grand opening Dec. 6. The Lahaina center’s stores include Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Guess, Coach, Izod, Lucky Brand, Wilson’s Leather, Kay Jewelers, Adidas, Hilo Hattie, Maui Sunglass, Crocs, Perfumania, Michael Kors, Gap, Banana Republic, Carter’s Babies & Kids, Brooks Brothers and The Luggage Factory.

The Outlets of Maui is at the former Lahaina Center on Front Street in Lahaina.