As director of the state’s Creative Industries Division, Georja Skinner oversees the state’s film office and its arts and culture branch. She is also responsible for the Creative Academies — a partnership between state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Community College and Department of Education modeled after STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academies, with a focus on digital media, animation, game development, and similar areas.

As director of the state’s Creative Industries Division, Georja Skinner oversees the state’s film office and its arts and culture branch. She is also responsible for the Creative Academies — a partnership between state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Community College and Department of Education modeled after STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academies, with a focus on digital media, animation, game development, and similar areas.

Georja will answer your questions live today from noon to 1 p.m. To join the conversation, watch for the new posting that will go up at noon and post your questions there. If you can’t make the noon session, you can e-mail your questions in advance to me at jmbelding@honoluluadvertiser.com and I’ll post them for you. See you at noon, with Georja Skinner, on The Hot Seat.

Welcome to The Hot Seat. Joining us live today from noon to 1 p.m. is David Carey, president and CEO of Outrigger Enterprises.

Outrigger, one of the largest privately-held leisure lodging companies in the Asia Pacific region, recently saw a drop in local bookings and is bracing for the months ahead, as rising fuel costs continue to take its toll on the economy. And any dramatic drop in tourism, the ripple effect on our economy extends far beyond Waikiki, to the businesses and workers that count on tourist dollars to survive.

Outrigger Enterprises also recently completed its Waikiki Beach Walk, the major $535-million revamp of the area bordered by Kalakaua Avenue, Lewers  Street, Kalia Road,  Beach Walk and Saratoga Road, with 40 new retail shops, outdoor entertainment, restaurants and more.

Just a reminder of our Hot Seat ground rules: Please keep your questions concise and on point so that we can get to as many questions as possible; and keep it civil, no personal attacks please.

Ready? Let’s chat.

Under the strain of soaring fuel costs, travelers are faced with higher airfares causing many tourists to think twice about visiting Hawaii. And anytime there’s a dramatic drop in tourism, the ripple effect on our economy extends far beyond Waikiki, to the businesses and workers that count on tourist dollars to survive.

Outrigger Enterprises, one of the largest privately-held leisure lodging companies in the Asia Pacific region, recently saw a drop in local bookings and is bracing for the months ahead. Joining us live Tuesday to answer your questions on the economy, the visitor in industry and its impact on the local economy will be David Carey, Outrigger’s president and CEO. Outrigger Enterprises recently completed its Waikiki Beach Walk, the major $535-million revamp of the area bordered by Kalakaua Avenue, Lewers  Street, Kalia Road,  Beach Walk and Saratoga Road, with 40 new retail shops, outdoor entertainment, restaurants and more. David will take your questions live here on the Hot Seat Tuesday, from noon to 1 p.m.

To join the conversation, watch for the new posting that will go up at noon Tuesday and post your questions there during the hour. If you can’t make the session live, you can e-mail your questions to me in advance at jmbelding@honoluluadvertiser.com and I’ll try to get in as many as I can in between the live posts, but it’s best to post them yourself because this will be a busy hour.

See you Tuesday at noon, with Outrigger’s David Carey.

Welcome to The Hot Seat. Joining us today from noon to 1 p.m. is UH Athletic Director Jim Donovan. Jim will answer your questions live during the hour.

And given all the changes in the university’s athletic department, there’s sure to be no shortage of questions.  From the departure of June Jones to the subsequent push to beef up campus sports facilities to the story in today’s Advertiser announcing the athletic department’s record-setting $29.6 million budget.

Just a reminder of our Hot Seat ground rules: Please keep your questions concise and on point so that we can get to as many questions as possible; and keep it civil, no personal attacks please.

Ready? Click the comments button below and let’s chat.