Kauai’s hotels reported significant gains in occupancy in Q4, 2011, the latest reporting period.  This was attributed in large part to several hundred million dollars in updates and renovations in the leading properties.  Also a key factor is visitors (malahini) to the State of Hawaii have come to realize that the true Hawaii is found on Kauai, especially the North Shore.  Another key factor was the many direct flights from the mainland directly into Lihue airport, bypassing the delays, wasted time, and possible luggage loss or delays coming though Honolulu.

Excerpted from The Garden Island, Jan 29, 2012