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.

 No doubt, there have been many changes in UH Manoa’s athletics department. From the departure of June Jones to the subsequent push to beef up campus sports facilities to the dustup over who traveled on the Sugar Bowl express, so to speak. And one of the biggest changes in recent weeks is the selection of the university’s new athletic director.  

I’m sure there’s no shortage of questions out there surrounding UH athletics. So get ready:  UH Athletic Director Jim Donovan will answer your questions live, here on the Hot Seat Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. It’s just an hour-long session, so you won’t want to miss it.

To join the conversation, watch for the new posting that will go up at noon Wednesday 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.comand I’ll try to get in as many as I can in between the live posts, but it’s best to post your  questions yourself because this will be a busy hour.

 See you Wednesday at noon, with UH’s Jim Donovan.    

The departure of Aloha Airlines and ATA from the passenger service landscape in the islands was a heavy blow. Add to that the reductions in flights by other major carriers, soaring fuel prices and our reliance on tourism and the economic picture looks grim.

But is it? Joining us live Tuesday to talk about the airline industry and more will be Mark Dunkerley, president and CEO of Hawaiian Airlines.

Mark will answer your questions live Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. here on The Hot Seat.

To join the conversation, watch for the new posting that will go up at noon Tuesday and post your questions there. If you can’t make the live session you can e-mail your questions in advance to me at jmbelding@honoluluadvertiser.com and I’ll try to get in as many asI can between the live posts.

See you Tuesday, with Hawaiian Air’s Mark Dunkerley.