The state is projecting a solid increase in the amount of airline seats on flights to Hawai'i this spring.

The report from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, which is based on flight schedules of airlines that fly to Hawai'i, said the number of airline seats is projected to rise to 2.3 million from March through May, a 5.1 percent increase from the same period a year earlier .

The biggest increase is from Canada, with the number of airline seats projected to rise 38 percent to 63,940, according to the report. Seats from the the U.S. West, are expected to rise 6.2 percent to 1.7 million, while seats from Japan are projected to rise 2.4 percent.

HVCB TO PROMOTE ISLES IN SHANGHAI

A team from the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau will be in Shanghai April 7 to 9, to promote the state's meetings industry at the Incentive Travel & Conventions Meetings China travel show.

HVCB will be joined by representatives from Hawaii Tourism China in promoting Hawai'i to the China market, which now ranks third worldwide behind the United Kingdom and United States for business travel.

Michael Murray, vice president of sales and marketing for HVCB's corporate meetings and incentives division, will make a presentation at the event, which is expected to attract 2,000 international meetings industry professionals. He also has 40 confirmed appointments with potential clients.

KAUA'I COMPANY AWARDED FOR RUM QUALITY

Kaua'i-based Koloa Rum Corp. received three medals at the 5th Annual Polished Palate International Rum Competition recently in Florida.

The company won silver medals for its Gold Hawaiian Rum and Dark Hawaiian Rum, and a bronze medal for its White Hawaiian Rum,

Judges at the event evaluated 42 rums based upon five criteria: appearance, aroma, taste, "mouthfeel" and finish.