The Hawaiian gazette., 1917-08-17
Annual Report Of Hawaii Publicity
Commission Shows Encourag-
ing ResuItso Publicity Work
VOLCANO ATTRACTS
MANY FROM MAINLAND
Personally Conducted Tours Gain
ing In Popularity - kilauea
Military Camp Big Success

The annual report of the Hawaii pub.
LEFTY commission was presented 20 the
board Of trade Of Hilo on Tuesday,
August IA, and gives many interesting
statistics and records.
Dealing with the steady growth Of
the tourist traffic to Hilo and the Vol
cano by the Inter-Island route during
the twelve months ending June 30, the
report refers particularly to the sue.
cess of the personally conducted trips
to the Volcano initiated by the commits
sion.
This tour is made ut an inclusive
round trip rate of $50, which covers
steamer fare, automobile rate and all
hotel expenses for three days, and Is
attracting very large number of peo-
pie.
The number Of passengers booked for
these tours during the twelve months
ending June 30, was 1881 who paid
the sum Of $50,430 for their tickets
alone. This total takes no account of
those who prolong their stay under the
free stop-oyer privilege allowed ON this
ticket, and does not, of course, include
those who pay the higher rate for the
privilege Of travelling by the Matson
company's steamers to Hilo.
Greatly Increased Travel
The figures dealing with January to
end Of June, 1917, are Of interest when
compared with the same period in the
preceding year Month by month
they are as follows: go
l9i7--January, 300; February, 307;
March, 1872; April, ~; May, 50; June,
l72. a.
lol6-January, 26; February, 1874;
March, 1877; April, 100; May, llS;
June, l01. ,. "
The very apparent difference between
january and February 1916 and 1917
is due to the extremely high level OF
Halemaumau lake in the latter year,
and to the very heavy publicity. cam.
Ephigh Conducted 1T that time, willie the
marked drop in April and May, 1917
as compared with the corresponding
period in 1916 shows the effect of the
scare rumors of submarines which hit
the Islands with full force at that
time in this year. The swift recovery
to above normal in June is remarkable
as showing the trendsof public opin.
ion, and it is worthy of notice that the
booking by the Inter-Island steamers
TO the Volcano are now far ahead of
the usual volume of traffic for this sea
son of the year, and are actually up to
the best figures of the winter season
| trade. foe. J., 49,
Conducted Tours Popular $685."
| Further analysis of the traffic figures
shows the popularity of the personally
conducted tours. During the first three
II - L. IL rtafi
ed by 100 purchasers of $50 inclusive
tickets. OF this number, ST. or TAG
per cent travelled by the personally con
Quoted trips organized by the publicity
commission. ..L......E, ..nn 20, .m.
The report deals interestingly with
the general work of the commission
and shows how a very wide publicity
is obtained at practically no expense.
| The commission carries on no definite
mainland campaign, but has made con
siderable purchases Of movie-film and
lantern slides which have been loaned
TO well-knOwn lecturers, while many
prominent persons in search of f'copy'
and lecture material have been taken
in hand and thoroughly instructed in
the legendary lore and scenic attrac-
tons of the Big Island, i&@ ns.4,-
| Reference is made to the success OF
the special July 4 excursion TO Hilo
organized by the commission, and to
other activities along useful publicity
lines. ".. ~ ..,...-' -.
A new guide book to the islnnd at
Hawaii has been written and was pub
lished under the auspices OF the Hlio
/ Board of Trade. This book is exceed
| ingly attractive and thoroughly up to
date, and is copiously illustrated with
| photographs and with maps specially
| drawn for this production. The work
is finding very ready sale at just
] half the price of the guide previously
| in use. . -.,..E . e '... a.
Military Camp Patronized H..
The commission s agent in Honolulu,
acting as agent for the trustees of the
Kilauea Military Camp, was instru.
/ mental in inducing large bodies of
troops to visit the island, and the sue
cess of the camp was assured from the
outset - -. - ..,.
Complete arrangements have been
made with a large mainland concern for
special service Of de luxe tours to
the Island of Hawaii as soon as eondi.
tions warrant! These tours will be run
at very frequent intervals and will be
j exceedingly profitable to all concerned.
Owing to the efforts of tho commission
| there has been effected a greatly i'm
proved automobile service TO points of
interest, the class of machine having
been especially improved. >, ~.
Present Travel Heavy ....".& ...
In an interview Of very recent date
Mr.. de Yis-Norton stated that the Vol.
eano bookings are now exceptionally
large, and that already over $4,000
had been paid for transportation to XII,
lauea since January this year. This
total is largely in excess Of last year
when the figures for the same period
were nearly $1,000 less, Mr.. Norton
considers that the policy Of the com
mission OF confning itself exclusively
20 Homework = is amply justified by