HONOLULU -- A Japanese cosmetics company made a lot of noise in Waikiki Friday night, with its annual fireworks extravaganza.

The display was part of a 23rd anniversary celebration for the Japanese-based Royal Cosmetics Company, which flew in more than a 1,000 employees, distributors, agents and customers to Hawaii on its annual incentive trip.

The group was treated to a Hawaiian vacation that culminated with a huge party at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, followed by one of the largest privately funded fireworks displays in the state.

Royal Cosmetics Company’s founder, chairman and CEO, Tadashi Momozono, opened an office in Honolulu 11 years ago. He started these incentive trips to Hawaii 13 years ago. “We love Hawaii. He wants us to have a dream for their life. And for the Japanese, this is like a paradise,” said Yoshie Fujita, of Royal Cosmetics.

That’s music to the ears of Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Mike McCartney. “It’s good for the economy. So we’re very happy to have them. Incentive groups and business groups are so critical to Hawaii’s market. They’re higher spending visitors,” McCartney said.

Visitors typically spend about $27 million a day in Hawaii, according to McCartney. So, it’s great news that the state has seen increases in both visitor arrivals and visitor spending for last two consecutive months.

HTA expects more incentive and business groups will visit Hawaii this year. “So it’s positive. We just have to keep our momentum moving forward into the summer and into the fall, when we have a lot of group business coming in,” McCartney said.

McCartney will accompany the governor to China Saturday, where they will concentrate on establishing stronger ties and tap into a potentially huge tourism market for the islands.