Winter in Hawaii from Outrigger and OHANA

Winter in Hawaii is a magical time, and the largest hotel operator in the islands is offering a variety of packages, programs and activities to help visitors enjoy this special season. The following is a brief round up.

Outrigger's First Night Free Now Means More Nights Free

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts has modified its First Night Free program to give travelers more flexibility and value this fall and winter when staying at its hotel properties in the islands.. Now through January 31, 2002, visitors on the First Night Free program who stay four nights at regular published rates at any participating Outrigger or OHANA hotel pay for just three. Visitors who stay seven nights pay for just five; or they can combine the two and stay 11 nights and pay for just eight. Travelers who prefer condominium accommodations can still enjoy Outrigger's regular First Night Free program, which provides a free night with a five-night stay. For more info or reservations, call 1-800-OUTRIGGER or visit www.outrigger.com.

Visitors Save with New Hawaii Value Pass

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, OHANA Hotels, island restaurants, retail merchants and many visitor attractions are participating in a new statewide program created by the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau to help stimulate travel to the state. Now through January 31, 2002, every person 18 years and older who checks into any Outrigger and OHANA property, or any other participating island hotel or resort condominium, receives a "Hawaii Value Pass" card. When presented at participating venues, the card entitles visitors to a variety of special discounts. For more information, log onto www.outrigger.com where a link will take you directly to the HVCB's Hawaii Value Pass Web site.

Enjoy a Whale of a Time at Outrigger Waikaloa Beach

The first whales have already been spotted in the Hawaiian Islands as the North Pacific Humpback Whale population makes its annual migration to the warm waters of Hawaii for mating and calving. You can enjoy these marine visitors while staying at the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. The resort is offering its two-night Unlimited Whale Watching package December 15-24, 2001, and from January 2 -April 1, 2002. The package includes ocean view accommodations and unlimited passage aboard the three daily Ocean Sports whale watch cruises that depart from the resort's beachfront location. The two-night package is priced at $750.00 for two people. For reservations, call 1-800-OUTRIGGER (688-7444).

Golf Fore-Ever at the Outrigger Waikaloa Beach

Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach resort's Golf Fore-Ever package. It includes two nights in an ocean view room and unlimited golf at the Waikoloa Beach Resorts' Kings' and Beach courses. The package is priced at $594 for a single golfer and $759 for two and is valid through December 18, 2002. For reservations, call 1-800-OUTRIGGER (688-7444).

Condo Vacations are Big With Outrigger's Bigg Kahuna Package

Resort condominium rentals appear to be growing in popularity as America gets back on the road after the September terrorist attacks. Bookings at Outrigger's resort condominiums on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island are showing increases of up to 10 percent as travelers take advantage of beachfront locations with the convenience of fully appointed kitchens to save on dining out. One- and two-bedroom units allow families to stay in one accommodation and share meals together while still enjoying Hawaii's most beautiful beachfront locations. Extremely popular now is Outrigger's Big Kahuna Package, available at certain properties, which includes: A free night with minimum 5-night stay. Big Kahuna Value Passport worth hundreds of dollars at restaurants, shops and tour desks Big Kahuna Bucks to purchase activities, dining, and Big Kahuna Vacation accessories. Two exclusive Big Kahuna T-shirts Exclusive Big Kahuna beach tote Exclusive Hawaiian music CD For more information, call 1-800-OUTRIGGER (688-7444) or log on to www.outrigger.com.

Romance, Romance and More Romance!

Outrigger is offering romance packages in 2002 designed for couples on their honeymoon, for those celebrating an anniversary or couples who simply want a romantic getaway. Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, Oahu - three nights in a partial ocean view room, lei greeting, champagne on arrival, two tickets to the Society of Seven show, one outrigger canoe ride for two, one keepsake Tahitian pearl pendant. Price: starts at $999 plus tax. Outrigger Reef on the Beach, Oahu -- three night package includes accommodations in a partial ocean view room, lei greeting, champagne and keepsake logo glasses plus one couples massage at Serenity Spa. Price: $1,530 plus tax. Outrigger Waikoloa Beach, Big Island - three nights stay in an oceanfront Royal Cabana room, champagne and chocolates on arrival, daily oceanside massage for two, daily buffet breakfast for two and one sunset cruise for two. Price: $1,560 plus tax. OHANA Keauhou Beach Resort - enjoy an oceanfront room, convertible rental car, lei greeting on arrival, champagne and two souvenir etched flutes, breakfast for two one day of your stay and a late check-out at no additional charge. Price: $449 for 2 nights or $979 for 5 nights. For reservations, contact Outrigger at 1-800-OUTRIGGER (688-7444) or OHANA Hotels at 1-800-462-6262. Information is also available online at www.outrigger.com or www.ohanahotels.com.

Get Wet with Outrigger Hotels

Many of Outrigger's properties offer free introductory scuba diving lessons in their resort pools. This is a great way to be introduced to a sport that will let you discover a whole new view of the islands - an underwater view, that is! If going deep isn't your thing, though, the Big Island's Outrigger Waikoloa Beach let's you just skim the surface with the use of free snorkel equipment during your stay (one set per room).

Outrigger Waikiki Offers Keiki Aquatic Adventures

At the Outrigger Waikiki, there's a new kid's snorkeling program operated by AquaZone. "Introduction to the Waters of Hawaii" is a fun and exciting program that gives kids a chance to learn the ins and outs of snorkeling in a safe environment...and it's free! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 - 8:45 a.m., kids can sign up to learn how to snorkel in the Outrigger Waikiki's pool.

Shark Encounter from Aquazone

Visitors who are looking for a real adventure should find AquaZone's new Shark Encounter tour right up their alley! Two-hour tours are available daily from 7 am to 3 pm and include transportation from the Outrigger Waikiki to Oahu's North Shore, where you'll board a boat for a quick 15-minute ride out to deep water. Once there you can get up close and personal with a variety of these predatory fish in two ways. For $60 you can watch the sharks swim around the boat with the use of a hand held viewer. The more adventurous can actually get in the water and see the sharks at arms reach from the safety of a shark cage. The shark cage encounter is priced at $120 per person. No scuba gear is required; a mask and snorkel is provided. For more information. contact AquaZone at (808) 923-3483.

New Web Services Now Available

Real time booking and real time messaging have come to www.outrigger.com and www.ohanahotels.com. Web customers now have the ability to check rates and room availability, as well as make a reservation online with immediate confirmation. Simply click on the "Reservations" button at the top of any page on the Outrigger or OHANA Web sites and you will be prompted through the reservation process. Customers can select from regular and discounted rates for any Outrigger or OHANA hotel or condo, and all rates are fully commissionable to travel agents.

The other service that Outrigger has unveiled is a live messaging feature that allows customers and travel agents to interact on a real time basis with the company's reservation agents. Powered by a specialized software produced by "LivePerson," customers click on the designated button on the Outrigger and OHANA Web sites and they are connected to a reservation agent. Text questions can be asked and immediately answered by Outrigger agents, who can do anything from pricing room rates to confirming reservations. Outrigger is the first hotel company in Hawaii to utilize the capabilities of LivePerson.

Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and OHANA Hotels & Resorts are divisions of Outrigger Enterprises, Inc., the largest locally owned lodging company in Hawaii and one of the fastest growing lodging companies in the Pacific. Under its two hotel brands, the company currently operates or has under development 44 hotels and resorts throughout the Pacific region, representing more than 12,000 hotel rooms and condominium units in Hawaii, Micronesia, Australia and the South Pacific. Outrigger's affiliate, Outrigger Lodging Services, operates nearly two-dozen hotels and resorts throughout the U.S. Mainland. For reservations or information, call your preferred travel professional, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts toll-free at 800-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444) or OHANA Hotels & Resorts toll-free at 1-800-462-6262. The company's toll-free numbers are available within the U.S., Guam and Canada, as well as internationally via AT&T's direct 800Ó Service. Elsewhere call 303-369-7777. Internet users can access information via the World Wide Web at www.outrigger.com or www.ohanahotels.com.