Store to mark grand reopening
KAHULUI - Sports Authority in the Maui Marketplace will be holding a "grand reopening" at 8 a.m. today.
The redesigned store has added more than 20,000 square feet by expanding into the former Borders Books, Music & Cafe. The store features a new checkout area, a computer-simulated golf driving range, a putting green, new Nike shops and men's and women's swim shops.
There will be drawings for cash and prizes throughout the day.
The store will be open until 10 p.m. today. The store's regular hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
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Bloggers boost Lanai online
The Lanai Visitors Bureau has been recognized for its "blogger in residence" promotional campaign.
The program was named "Best Social Media Campaign in Hawaii" at Pacific Edge Magazine's recent Business Achievement Awards event.
The promo involved seven bloggers completing a one-week "artist in residence" program on Lanai over the span of six months.
"The intention was to have top bloggers 'talk' about Lanai for an extended period of time across numerous social networks without reservations," the visitors bureau said in a statement. "The team provided extraordinary buzz among each other - much more so than single, isolated blogger trips."
The bureau said the campaign generated 2.5 million new results for "visit Lanai" on Google.
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Andaz names general manager
The Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort & Spa, which is slated to open early next year, has named longtime Hyatt executive Michael Stephens its general manager.
The 325-unit luxury hotel is being built at the site of the former Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort.
Stephens was most recently general manager of the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch in Arizona. He's been with the company since 1986.
The Andaz Wailea also named Anita Rahman as its director of sales and marketing. She most recently was director of sales and catering at Andaz San Diego.
Hyatt Corp. and Starwood Capital Group in 2010 announced a joint venture to develop the Andaz Maui at Wailea.
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Ala Moana expansion planned
HONOLULU - A dramatic expansion is planned for the space Sears will vacate in Hawaii's largest shopping mall.
Ala Moana Center's owner is doubling the retail space at the west end where Sears is currently located. General Growth Properties, Inc. is investing $500 million to buy back the lease from Sears, which has been a familiar fixture at the Honolulu shopping center since the mall opened in 1959.
A site plan obtained by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser includes a three-level tenant and a new fourth-level parking deck.
With nearly 300 stores and restaurants, Ala Moana is one of the highest-grossing malls in the nation and is the end point for a planned rail line.
The expansion is expected to attract new mainland retailers such as Kohl's, Bloomingdale's and H&M.
