Our Mission
EducationWe provide educational opportunities, information, and resources to our members, legislators, the media, and the community
|
AdvocacyWe advocate the needs of our members with the federal, state, and county governments.
|
PhilanthropyWe support and contribute to a better quality of life and environment for both the community and our visitors.
|
Mufi's Message, April 20th
Kauai Response
With Emergency Management as a key priority of the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, I have always said it isn’t a matter of “if”, but a matter of “when”. We saw this reflected this past weekend when Kaua‘i was hit with record-breaking rains causing extensive flood damage to the northern part of the island.
Our stakeholders and partners on the Garden Isle have been heavily involved with the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts helping service the hundreds who are currently located in regions inaccessible by ground transportation. The response from the community has been truly inspiring, and HLTA is proud to say that members of our Kauai Chapter have been front and center in representing the visitor industry.
Our hotel partners have contributed thousands of dollars to non-profit organizations, given over a hundred cases of water to impacted areas, and are facilitating canned food drives to donate to local shelters, but that’s just the beginning. We’ve also logged the following donations: bags, boxes, cases, and pallets worth of bed sheets, bath towels, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, trash bags, and laundry detergent.
In addition to these contributions, our members have put boots on the ground in the packaging of these donated goods at Hanalei Airport, to be airlifted into the areas hit hardest by the storm. A prime example are the department teams from The Cliffs at Princeville who have dedicated their time and energy to help with such efforts. With more rain in the forecast and grounds still slick, I would like to take this moment to remind everyone that though there are donations pouring in now, there is still a lot of work to be done.
We'll continue to monitor the situation very closely and look to identify other ways that we can help our loved ones and friends on Kauai get back on their feet again. In the meantime, I would like to again commend our HLTA Kauai Chapter Board, who has led by example during this time of crisis and need. Not only have they supported their associates who have been impacted, but they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to lend a helping hand in their fellow communities… after all, “we’re all in this together.”
With Emergency Management as a key priority of the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, I have always said it isn’t a matter of “if”, but a matter of “when”. We saw this reflected this past weekend when Kaua‘i was hit with record-breaking rains causing extensive flood damage to the northern part of the island.
Our stakeholders and partners on the Garden Isle have been heavily involved with the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts helping service the hundreds who are currently located in regions inaccessible by ground transportation. The response from the community has been truly inspiring, and HLTA is proud to say that members of our Kauai Chapter have been front and center in representing the visitor industry.
Our hotel partners have contributed thousands of dollars to non-profit organizations, given over a hundred cases of water to impacted areas, and are facilitating canned food drives to donate to local shelters, but that’s just the beginning. We’ve also logged the following donations: bags, boxes, cases, and pallets worth of bed sheets, bath towels, cleaning supplies, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, trash bags, and laundry detergent.
In addition to these contributions, our members have put boots on the ground in the packaging of these donated goods at Hanalei Airport, to be airlifted into the areas hit hardest by the storm. A prime example are the department teams from The Cliffs at Princeville who have dedicated their time and energy to help with such efforts. With more rain in the forecast and grounds still slick, I would like to take this moment to remind everyone that though there are donations pouring in now, there is still a lot of work to be done.
We'll continue to monitor the situation very closely and look to identify other ways that we can help our loved ones and friends on Kauai get back on their feet again. In the meantime, I would like to again commend our HLTA Kauai Chapter Board, who has led by example during this time of crisis and need. Not only have they supported their associates who have been impacted, but they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to lend a helping hand in their fellow communities… after all, “we’re all in this together.”
Edwin K. Hastings Scholarship Awarded to UH Manoa TIM Student
This past Wednesday, the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s Tourism Industry Management (TIM) School held its annual networking event, Na Kukui Netlinks, at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. The ballroom brimmed with student excitement as they gathered, eager to network with leaders from the hospitality industry.
As you know, the UH TIM program’s curriculum prepares students to not only work but excel in various jobs within the industry and the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association was honored to present our Edwin K. Hastings Scholarship to a well-deserving TIM student, Jared Matsuki. Jared is a proud graduate of Roosevelt High School and is currently a junior in the TIM program. He’s employed with Prince Waikiki Resort and presently serves as president of Eta Sigma Delta, a prestigious international hospitality honor society that recognizes the scholastic achievements of students who are pursuing a degree in the field. Jared is also one of the fifteen participants in our Generational Mentoring Program and is paired with HLTA Board Member Craig Anderson of the Mauna Kea Resort.
Congratulations Jared, and best wishes on your continued success!
This past Wednesday, the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa’s Tourism Industry Management (TIM) School held its annual networking event, Na Kukui Netlinks, at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. The ballroom brimmed with student excitement as they gathered, eager to network with leaders from the hospitality industry.
As you know, the UH TIM program’s curriculum prepares students to not only work but excel in various jobs within the industry and the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association was honored to present our Edwin K. Hastings Scholarship to a well-deserving TIM student, Jared Matsuki. Jared is a proud graduate of Roosevelt High School and is currently a junior in the TIM program. He’s employed with Prince Waikiki Resort and presently serves as president of Eta Sigma Delta, a prestigious international hospitality honor society that recognizes the scholastic achievements of students who are pursuing a degree in the field. Jared is also one of the fifteen participants in our Generational Mentoring Program and is paired with HLTA Board Member Craig Anderson of the Mauna Kea Resort.
Congratulations Jared, and best wishes on your continued success!
Honolulu City Council Bill 6 (2018)
Also on Wednesday, the Honolulu City Council’s Committee on Budget heard Bill 6 (2018) which aims to amend Section 29-16.6, revised Ordinances of Honolulu, to exclude the public nuisance exception of having objects such as rolling kiosks on the sidewalks in the Waikiki Special District. The bill has grown legs and is rapidly progressing through the City Council with strong backing from the visitor industry. Last month, the bill passed second reading in front of the full council with unanimous support and was subsequently passed this week through the Committee on Budget with all present members voting aye. The measure is now slated to go before the full council for final reading on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. We send our mahalo to all our members and industry partners who have been actively engaged in the legislative process and are advocating for this important issue.
Cabaret Licensing
In response to action items developed from our Visitor Public Safety Conference, WIA's executive director Rick Egged and Councilmember Trevor Ozawa have joined me in facilitating round table meetings with the Honolulu Police Department and the independent “cabaret licensed” operators in Waikiki. While we are in early stages, our discussions have been promising. Stakeholders attending our meetings include cabaret establishments, their property owners, HPD, WBIDA, WIA, and the military. We are working towards reaching amicable solutions in keeping Waikiki safe for visitors and residents alike.
Also on Wednesday, the Honolulu City Council’s Committee on Budget heard Bill 6 (2018) which aims to amend Section 29-16.6, revised Ordinances of Honolulu, to exclude the public nuisance exception of having objects such as rolling kiosks on the sidewalks in the Waikiki Special District. The bill has grown legs and is rapidly progressing through the City Council with strong backing from the visitor industry. Last month, the bill passed second reading in front of the full council with unanimous support and was subsequently passed this week through the Committee on Budget with all present members voting aye. The measure is now slated to go before the full council for final reading on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. We send our mahalo to all our members and industry partners who have been actively engaged in the legislative process and are advocating for this important issue.
Cabaret Licensing
In response to action items developed from our Visitor Public Safety Conference, WIA's executive director Rick Egged and Councilmember Trevor Ozawa have joined me in facilitating round table meetings with the Honolulu Police Department and the independent “cabaret licensed” operators in Waikiki. While we are in early stages, our discussions have been promising. Stakeholders attending our meetings include cabaret establishments, their property owners, HPD, WBIDA, WIA, and the military. We are working towards reaching amicable solutions in keeping Waikiki safe for visitors and residents alike.
|
|
REGISTER BY ISLAND: Lanai Island - May 5th Molokai Island - May 5th Hawaii Island - May 12th Kauai Island - May 12th Maui Island - May 12th Oahu Island - May 19th |
Legislative Update
April 4, 2018
Aloha HLTA Members,
I would like to take this opportunity to apprise you of a BIG VICTORY that we had at the State Capitol today. As many of you know, HLTA has been actively monitoring Senate Bill 2922 as one of our priority issues this legislative session that we were playing defense on. For those that are not familiar with this measure, SB2922 proposes amendments to the State Constitution which would authorize the legislature to establish a surcharge on visitor accommodations and on residential investment properties to fund public education.
SB2922 was introduced in the State Senate and hearings were held in both the Senate Committee on Education and the Committee on Judiciary where it passed out unscathed. As the bill crossed over to the House , I was in close contact with both Speaker Scott Saiki and Education Chair Justin Woodson in reinforcing our opposition to the transient accommodation provision offered in the measure. In the case of the Speaker, he reached out to me to understand exactly where we stood on this issue.
As you all know the visitor industry has been very supportive of our education system and our youth. This is evident through the thousands of dollars that HLTA and our member organizations contribute yearly towards education at all levels and the initiatives that we have launched to support the growth and development of our young people. In regards to SB2922 we have spent a lot of time reminding our legislators that as much as we support our state’s education system, we must seriously take into consideration with respect to SB2922 the tax burden our visitor industry already bears such as the recent 1% increase to our transient accommodations tax and the proposals to impose the TAT on our resort fees. We also consistently made it clear in our testimony that 60% of the TAT already goes to the General Fund and that a huge opportunity for more tax dollars would be available if an agreement could be reached by the state administration and both legislative chambers on transient vacation rentals.
Ultimately both the House Education Chair and the Speaker of the House assured me that they would work on assuaging our concerns. They also indicated they had issues with other aspects of the bill. The results of our discussions were reflected in today’s hearing as Chair Woodson proposed eliminating the transient vacation surcharge from the measure in which the House Committee on Education voted unanimously in support of.
The bill still has to go the full floor for a final vote, however, it is expected to pass. Again, this is a BIG VICTORY for us on the legislative front and I would like to thank all the hoteliers, partner associations, and industry stakeholders who weighed in and submitted testimony in opposition. Most importantly, I would like to recognize the efforts of both Speaker Saiki and House Education Chair Woodson for championing this issue for us and ask that you please thank them if you have the opportunity to do so.
Should you have any questions on this matter, please feel free to contact me or Jared Higashi at the HLTA office at (808) 923-0407.
Best,
Mufi Hannemann
President & CEO
I would like to take this opportunity to apprise you of a BIG VICTORY that we had at the State Capitol today. As many of you know, HLTA has been actively monitoring Senate Bill 2922 as one of our priority issues this legislative session that we were playing defense on. For those that are not familiar with this measure, SB2922 proposes amendments to the State Constitution which would authorize the legislature to establish a surcharge on visitor accommodations and on residential investment properties to fund public education.
SB2922 was introduced in the State Senate and hearings were held in both the Senate Committee on Education and the Committee on Judiciary where it passed out unscathed. As the bill crossed over to the House , I was in close contact with both Speaker Scott Saiki and Education Chair Justin Woodson in reinforcing our opposition to the transient accommodation provision offered in the measure. In the case of the Speaker, he reached out to me to understand exactly where we stood on this issue.
As you all know the visitor industry has been very supportive of our education system and our youth. This is evident through the thousands of dollars that HLTA and our member organizations contribute yearly towards education at all levels and the initiatives that we have launched to support the growth and development of our young people. In regards to SB2922 we have spent a lot of time reminding our legislators that as much as we support our state’s education system, we must seriously take into consideration with respect to SB2922 the tax burden our visitor industry already bears such as the recent 1% increase to our transient accommodations tax and the proposals to impose the TAT on our resort fees. We also consistently made it clear in our testimony that 60% of the TAT already goes to the General Fund and that a huge opportunity for more tax dollars would be available if an agreement could be reached by the state administration and both legislative chambers on transient vacation rentals.
Ultimately both the House Education Chair and the Speaker of the House assured me that they would work on assuaging our concerns. They also indicated they had issues with other aspects of the bill. The results of our discussions were reflected in today’s hearing as Chair Woodson proposed eliminating the transient vacation surcharge from the measure in which the House Committee on Education voted unanimously in support of.
The bill still has to go the full floor for a final vote, however, it is expected to pass. Again, this is a BIG VICTORY for us on the legislative front and I would like to thank all the hoteliers, partner associations, and industry stakeholders who weighed in and submitted testimony in opposition. Most importantly, I would like to recognize the efforts of both Speaker Saiki and House Education Chair Woodson for championing this issue for us and ask that you please thank them if you have the opportunity to do so.
Should you have any questions on this matter, please feel free to contact me or Jared Higashi at the HLTA office at (808) 923-0407.
Best,
Mufi Hannemann
President & CEO
Upcoming EventsApril
May
June
|
HLTA in the News |
