Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Sunday, December 1, 2024 72° Today's Paper


Business BreakingTop News

Strong hotel industry gains on Kauai, Hawaii island bolster statewide results

2015 December 28 WDA - Honolulu Star-Advertiser photo by Krystle Marcellus Magic Island remained busy as vacationers and locals enjoyed time off for the holidays at Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu on Monday, December 28, 2015.

Despite tourism troubles in flood-ravaged areas of North Kauai and lower Puna on Hawaii island, the overall hotel industry on both islands had a blockbuster April, as it did throughout the state.

In April, occupancy at hotels statewide rose 2.8 percentage points year-over-year to a very robust 80.5 percent, according to statistics released this morning by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, which used data from STR Inc.

The average daily rate (ADR) that travelers paid for a Hawaii hotel rose more than 4 percent to $269. The increases in occupancy and rate led to a nearly 8 percent gain in revenue per available room (RevPAR), which rose to $217.

RevPAR is considered by many in the hotel industry to be the most important measure of industry success since it represents the amount a hotelier earns for every room in the property regardless of whether it’s occupied. So it’s pretty telling that in April, RevPAR at Kauai hotels grew nearly 19 percent, the highest rate of growth in the state, to $218. The results were bolstered by a nearly 13-percent rise in ADR to $284 and 3.8-percentage-point gain in occupancy to 76.9 percent.

Jennifer Chun, HTA director of tourism research, said in a statement,“It’s satisfying to see that Kauai did so well in April considering the inundation of rainfall and flooding the north shore suffered in mid-April and the images of devastation that were shown by media outlets worldwide.”

The extreme tourism downturn that some Hawaii island visitor industry members have been reporting in the wake of earthquakes and lava flow doesn’t seem to have shown up in April, although most of the impacts were probably felt in May. Hawaii island hotels reported the state’s highest occupancy grow in April, which was up 7.4 percentage points to 76.4 percent. Hawaii island RevPAR rose nearly 13 percent to $199 and ADR increased nearly 2 percent to $261.

Oahu hotels, which have been at high occupancy for some time, even managed to achieve a 2.6-percentage-point gain in occupancy, which rose to 83.1 percent. Oahu’s April ADR grew more than 3 percent to $228 and its RevPAR increased almost 7 percent to $189.

“Waikiki’s positive performance in April is both notable and encouraging. With Waikiki having the bulk of the state’s hotel room inventory, the state’s tourism industry is lifted up whenever Waikiki has a good month,” Chun said.

Maui hotels in April achieved the state’s highest RevPAR, which rose nearly 6 percent to $293. ADR rose just over 5 percent to $371 and occupancy stayed flat at 79 percent.

The monthly hotel industry results continued the year’s solid growth trajectory. Through April, hotels statewide saw RevPAR increase nearly 9 percent to $236. Year-to-date ADR grew just over 6 percent to $287 and occupancy rose 1.8 percentage points to 82.3 percent.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.