2008 World Economic Forum attendees vote for Maui in 2009

DAVOS, SWITZERLAND -- Progress came to a screeching halt this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos when key note speaker U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice paused mid-speech to ponder, “Why the hell do we hold this thing in Switzerland in January?”

Belated revelation slowly crept over the crowd of intellectuals, journalists, and global business and political leaders attending the annual meeting in the snowy Swiss ski village. Though daily highs rarely rise above freezing this time in winter, the WEF has been held in Davos for more than 30 years.

Yasuo Fukuda, Prime Minister of Japan and Chair of the forthcoming G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, was the first to suggest Maui as an alternative site in 2009, much to the general agreement of the assembly.

“The waves are epic, the sushi is great and Little Beach is a fine spot for meeting the ladies,” Prime Minister Fukuda added.

When contacted by The Onion to see if the Valley Isle would be able to host such a large, international event, Maui Visitor Bureau spokesman Carl Castle seemed uncertain.

“I don’t think there are enough Cadillac Escalades on the island,” said Castle.

Though how much work will get done over the last few days of the summit is yet to be determined, some progress has already been made. In an unprecedented show of unity, a consensus has been reached that the fruit punch being served is “too sweet” and that a mandatory 30-minute nap should be implemented immediately following lunch.