Disney invests in Hawaii

Disney’s first-ever Hawaii resort breaks ground in November. Plans call for  some innovative features including a working taro loi and water slides erupting from a faux volcano, along with Disney characters doing backstrokes in the pool. The $800 million project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2011 and eventually employ 1,000 people. The resort will include 350 hotel rooms, 480 vacation villas and 8,000 square feet of convention space.

Disney’s commitment to the west Oahu resort is promising considering the state of Hawaii’s tourism industry. Travel to the islands was projected to increase in 2009, as Hawaii celebrates its 50th anniversary of statehood. But for many, 2009 will be remembered as the year visitor arrivals plummeted and the tourism industry saw more layoffs than grand openings.

“Disney is the No. 1 brand in family vacations,” says Martha Wienert, state tourism liaison. “Combine that with Hawaii’s fabulous reputation as a family destination and there’s reason for optimism for the visitor industry.”