Wailea Beach Villas garners top ranking

Wailea Beach Villas was named the No. 1 resort in Hawaii in Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards.

Tropical Villa Vacations made the announcement; the company manages 22 of the 98 residences at Wailea Beach Villas.

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Airline celebrates 85-year history

HONOLULU – Hawaiian Airlines is celebrating 85 years of service.

Hawaii’s first interisland passenger service was launched on Nov. 11, 1929, as Inter-Island Airways. The airline started with a flight from Honolulu to Hilo that took an hour and 40 minutes.

Inter-Island Airways changed its name to Hawaiian Airlines in 1941.

The airline is looking back on milestones including becoming America’s first federally certified air cargo carrier in 1942 and becoming the nation’s first airline to operate a commercial flight with an all-female flight crew in 1979.

Today, Hawaiian Airlines offers service to six of the eight Hawaiian islands, 11 international destinations and 11 U.S. Mainland destinations.

Hawaiian Airlines Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc.

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Sheraton cited for unpermitted work

KAILUA-KONA- A resort on Hawaii’s Big Island is scrambling to get belated permits after it was cited by the county for unauthorized work.

Neighbors of the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay have complained about what they see as preferential treatment for the company, West Hawaii Today reported Wednesday.

Canoe clubs, boat owners and recreational groups have groused about the resort’s construction in a coastal special management area.

The county planning department said in August that it would fine the resort $10,000 plus $100 a day if it didn’t fix the situation by Sept. 30. But then the department extended the deadline until Nov. 30 before fines would be levied.

Inspectors had found that workers mixed powdered cement near the shoreline in an attempt to patch a sidewalk and allowed some powdered cement to be washed into the ocean by waves. After the county ordered the resort to stop, a later inspection showed it didn’t cease its work.

Also, a ladder was erected for people to get into the ocean, said Duane Kanuha, planning director.

“There’s no doubt there’s going to be some kind of fine levied,” Kanuha said.

The county is requiring the resort to conduct a shoreline survey, and depending on the results, the resort may have to get additional permits and approvals.

The Sheraton hired Hilo planning consultant Sidney Fuke to help it comply.