NCL America tells Travel Agent that it is keeping a weather eye on bills making their way through this session of the Hawaii state legislature. Each of the bills would impose the state's transient-accommodations tax on a prorated portion of NCL's Hawaii-based cruises. This is not the first time assessing the tax has been proposed; NCL continues to object, noting that it already pays the state about $70 million a year in gross excise taxes, and saying that federal law precludes the state from imposing the bed tax.

 Barrett De Santos

The finishing touches of the $50 million-plus renovation of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa are wrapping up in time for the scheduled March 1 completion date, Kathleen Costello, director of marketing communications, confirms with Travel Agent. She adds that travel agents continue to be top of mind with the BigIsland property, which will be offering retailers a preferred "sneak peek" rate for visits March 1-June 15.

Outrigger confirms that it's tapped industry veteran Barrett De Santos as general manager of the Outrigger Aina Nalu resort condominium. De Santos is moving to Maui from his current post in Waikiki as senior sales manager for Outrigger's beachfront division.