Special Events
Big Island of Hawaii
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News Bulletins
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Several new flights to Kona International Airport will boost the Big Island's airline seat capacity significantly, according to West Hawaii Today reports dated November 15 and 20. Alaska Airlines' new year-round, daily direct flight from Seattle that started November 17 is expected to bring 57,000 seats per year by current schedule estimates. Air Canada resumes its weekly winter flight from Vancouver beginning on December 13. And WestJet, the other airline flying direct from Vancouver, has added a second flight to its weekly schedule, carrying up to 1,400 additional passengers. WestJet's twice-weekly seasonal service begins on December 18. Atlanta-based Delta, which returned to the Big Island in June with a midway Los Angeles stop, recently added a fifth flight per week into Kona. Also introduced this week is a new interisland jet service by Mokulele Airlines, the local air commuter, tour and cargo company. Mokulele's five daily Wednesday-to-Sunday flights from Honolulu will add up to 350 air seats-helping to offset a portion of the huge loss in seats with the closure of Aloha Airlines in April 2008.

Experts see a continuing growth trend in the Canadian visitor market. The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism reports a 7.7 percent increase in Canadian arrivals in the first three quarters of 2008. The 6 percent decline in September 2008 was one of only three months of decreased Canadian arrivals out of the past 33 months. DBEDT statistics also show that the number of Canadian visitors who stayed in condominiums and timeshares was up 20 percent compared to the first nine months of 2007, with a slight drop in the number who stayed in hotels. In addition, there were more repeat Canadian visitors in September 2008 as compared to the same month last year.

Kawaihae Canoe Club Fundraiser Luau
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Join an annual night of festivities presented by the Kawaihae Canoe Club to promote the ancient sport of outrigger canoe paddling, from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Enjoy great Hawaiian food and entertainment including a fire knife dance, and watch a golden sunset. Cost is $25 for adults, $15 for children. For more information call 937-4700, or e-mail kawaihaecanoec@yahoo.com.

Passport to International Cultures
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Sample international culinary treats prepared by chefs from the resort’s finest restaurants in this popular resort event. Live entertainment will be featured. For information call 886-8811, or visit www.waikoloabeachresort.com

Breakfast with Santa.
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Be sure and bring your child to the Coronation Pavilion from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. for a hearty breakfast and to get his/her picture taken with Santa. Enjoy live entertainment plus lots of fun stuff to do such as face painting. Call the Queens Marketplace at 886-8822 to ask about possible fees and other details.