Last December, the company opened a new store in Kapalua to serve West Maui after the loss of the Lahaina location. Robertson described extremely slow business there this fall, worsened by the closure of the Kapalua Resort golf courses from September to early November. "It was almost like a ghost town up there, until just a couple weeks ago around Thanksgiving," he said.
I've been to the Paradise Cove Luau five times, with visiting family, out-of-town friends and even co-workers on a work retreat. Set in Ko Olina on Oahu's west side, it's one of Hawaii 's famous entertainment destinations for first-time visitors - a place where the sunsets are extraordinary, the Hawaiian food is plentiful, the mai tais strong and the crowd loud.
"When someone calls and the first thing they ask is, 'What's the lowest price you can get me?' I'm very upfront," he said. "I tell them, 'If price is your number one priority, we may not be the right fit.' Because Hawaii isn't meant to be treated like a bargain bin purchase. It deserves respect, intention, and the right kind of traveler."