Recently, the Organizing and Servicing agents went out to visit District Council 50 members. They are working at the site of the newly designed Walt Disney’s Aulani resort in West Oahu.   Construction began in March of 2009 and the first set of 200 rooms is scheduled to be completed by August 2011.  Currently, DC50 has approximately 120 members working on the project from drywall tapers to floor layers.  Disney has released an economic impact study.  Compiled by CBRE Consulting with the assistance of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, it estimated that in construction work alone $634 million will pour into the local economy and will create approximately 4,800 jobs.  The study also stated that once the resort opens, it is expected to generate about $271 million a year and create about 2,400 jobs.   A huge “Mahalo” to Disney for its foresight, belief and global ingenuity by creating a first class resort in Hawaii.  Because of the Aulani resort, many of our signatory contractors such as, George Raymond Painting, Group Builders, Island Flooring, Jade Painting, Fuller Glass Company,  Kalu Glass Company, Kula Glass Company, KHS&S, WE Painting, and Zelinsky Paining, who employ DC50 members, continue to work during this down economy!  Again, thank goodness for Disney!