Our Mission
EducationWe provide educational opportunities, information, and resources to our members, legislators, the media, and the community
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AdvocacyWe advocate the needs of our members with the federal, state, and county governments.
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PhilanthropyWe support and contribute to a better quality of life and environment for both the community and our visitors.
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Promoting Hawai'i Tourism - Now More Than Ever!
Local Connection - Hawaii News Now
Mufi's Message, June 15th
For those who may have missed this story, you can find it online here: “Lodging industry opposes tax hike”.
I am quoted in the article stating that “the measure is unfair given the State Council on Revenues’ recent projection that this year’s tax collections would grow by $125 million, ‘thanks in large part to the tourism industry’s strength.’ ‘With such a large surplus making its way into state coffers … why are we adding an additional burden on our hotels and visitors?’”
Additionally, the article quoted several other members from across the industry including Jerry Gibson, area vice president of Hilton Hawaii and vice president and managing director of Turtle Bay Resort, who shared that “he fears if the bill becomes law, which would follow January’s 1 percent TAT increase, it could cause some tourists to rethink whether they can ‘really afford to come.’ ‘If we tip the scale, our greatest economic driver is in jeopardy.’”
Eric Gil, Local 5 Unite Here Secretary- treasurer, “said the union doesn’t support the final version because it believes it could have unintended consequences. ‘Nickel-and-diming undermines guest satisfaction,’ … ‘It affects tipping, and it could impact banquet bookings and other business.’”
Rick Egged, President of the Waikiki Improvement Association, “said the organization opposes ambiguity in the bill’s current version, which ‘defines resort fees as virtually anything that a hotel charges, which is not what TAT was meant to cover.’”
Our next step is a meeting with Governor Ige to share our concerns on this flawed measure. At this meeting we will be bringing the Governor an updated petition letter with additional signatures that have or will come in over the next couple days. Therefore, I would like to encourage all our members to please make one last push to your teams to sign on to our letter. Please send all additional petition forms to Jared Higashi of my staff at jhigashi@hawaiilodging.org no later than 10:00 am on Monday, June 18th if you would like to be included.
Click on the following for a copy of our petition letter and a petition sign-up sheet template:
I am quoted in the article stating that “the measure is unfair given the State Council on Revenues’ recent projection that this year’s tax collections would grow by $125 million, ‘thanks in large part to the tourism industry’s strength.’ ‘With such a large surplus making its way into state coffers … why are we adding an additional burden on our hotels and visitors?’”
Additionally, the article quoted several other members from across the industry including Jerry Gibson, area vice president of Hilton Hawaii and vice president and managing director of Turtle Bay Resort, who shared that “he fears if the bill becomes law, which would follow January’s 1 percent TAT increase, it could cause some tourists to rethink whether they can ‘really afford to come.’ ‘If we tip the scale, our greatest economic driver is in jeopardy.’”
Eric Gil, Local 5 Unite Here Secretary- treasurer, “said the union doesn’t support the final version because it believes it could have unintended consequences. ‘Nickel-and-diming undermines guest satisfaction,’ … ‘It affects tipping, and it could impact banquet bookings and other business.’”
Rick Egged, President of the Waikiki Improvement Association, “said the organization opposes ambiguity in the bill’s current version, which ‘defines resort fees as virtually anything that a hotel charges, which is not what TAT was meant to cover.’”
Our next step is a meeting with Governor Ige to share our concerns on this flawed measure. At this meeting we will be bringing the Governor an updated petition letter with additional signatures that have or will come in over the next couple days. Therefore, I would like to encourage all our members to please make one last push to your teams to sign on to our letter. Please send all additional petition forms to Jared Higashi of my staff at jhigashi@hawaiilodging.org no later than 10:00 am on Monday, June 18th if you would like to be included.
Click on the following for a copy of our petition letter and a petition sign-up sheet template:
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UPDATE* In case you missed it an editorial was published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser supporting the visitor industry's position on Senate Bill 2699 (TAT on Resort Fees). To read the full piece click the following: "Don't expand reach of TAT," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, June 17, 2018 |
Upcoming Political ForumsAs we head into the second half of 2018, we are starting to ramp up our efforts leading to the upcoming political elections. This year, we have invited the Waikiki Improvement Association, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, and the Waikiki Neighborhood Board to join us in hosting political forums for some of our high-profile races. At this point, we have two political forums that we are pleased to confirm.
We will start the election season with a Gubernatorial forum featuring candidates Governor David Ige and Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa which will take place at the Prince Waikiki on July 2nd at 10:30 am. The following week, we will host a Lieutenant Governor forum with candidates Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, State Senator Josh Green, State Senator Jill Tokuda, and former Board of Education member Kim Coco Iwamoto at the Prince Waikiki on July 13th at 10:30 am.
With advocacy as one of our major missions, it is imperative that we continue to bring these political educational opportunities to you. Therefore, I would like to encourage all of you to take advantage of these forums as they will serve as platforms for our candidates’ positions on the major challenges and issues facing the visitor industry.
Should you have any questions concerning these events, please feel free to contact Jared Higashi at jhigashi@hawaiilodging.org. If you would like to attend, I would highly encourage you to register, using the links below. |
Strike Out Homelessness Bowling Tournament, 6.11.18
A huge mahalo to everyone who spent a part of their Kamehameha Day helping us Strike Out Homelessness! Our first Oahu Charity Walk Bowling Tournament took place on Monday, June 11th at Aiea Bowl and it was an evening filled with fun, good eats (which Aiea Bowl is noted for), fellowship, and even included a country music karaoke competition. In an effort to provide more financial assistance for organizations that work directly with the homeless on Oahu, HLTA teamed up with Salem Media to launch the inaugural bowling tournament. This year, Dependable Hawaiian Express (DHX) was the presenting sponsor of the event. Thank you to all the sponsor teams that participated this year:
1. Colliers International 2. Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa * 3. ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach* 4. Waikiki Resort Hotel * 5. Aqua-Aston Hospitality * 6. Outrigger Enterprises Group * 7. Interstate Restoration * 8. G4S Security 9. Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach * 10. HLTA Engineers Council * 11. TNT Tinting * 12. DHX * 13. Dave & Buster’s 14. Hoku Tours/Roberts Hawaii * 15. Lucky Strike Social Honolulu * 16. Soldier 2 Soldier 17. Teddy’s Bigger Burgers 18. Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club * 19. Budweiser 20. Country 97.5 * *denotes recognition of HLTA members At the end of the evening, Salem Media presented HLTA and the Visitor Industry Charity Walk with a $10,000 check that will go towards helping us combat homelessness . Mahalo to Dita Holifield, General Manager of Salem Media and her team for leading the charge on our successful bowling tournament. Of course, this fun-filled event would not have been possible without our generous donors, who contributed our prizes, and helped build excitement for all our attendees. Mahalo to all our Bowling Tournament donors for your kokua! ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach, ALSCO, Blue Note Hawaii, DFS T Galleria, DUKE’S Waikiki, Enterprise Rent a Car, Germaine’s Luau, Hampton Inn & Suites-Kapolei, Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach, Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites, LeSportsac Hawaii, Polynesian Cultural Center, Roberts Hawaii/Magic of Polynesia, Sea Life Park Hawaii, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Sheraton Waikiki Resort/Rum Fire, Te Moana Nui at Princess Kaiulani, Waikiki Resort, and Zippy’s Restaurants. |
TSURUTONTAN Opens in Waikiki
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This past Wednesday , Jared Higashi and I had the pleasure of visiting the brand-new restaurant at the Royal Hawaiian Center, TsuruTonTan Udon Noodle Brasserie. For those who know me, I am an avid enthusiast of Japanese food, and I have to say that these udon noodles were some of the best I’ve ever had. The noodles are all made in-house, and they are served through a variety of interesting and flavorful dishes. On their pre-opening media day, I had the distinct honor of meeting the owners and management team, while sampling udon dishes mixed with flavors such as Truffle Crème with Crab and Mushroom, Uni (Sea Urchin), and a Poke inspired dish to name a few.
A big Hawaiian style welcome to Waikiki to Takuma Lathrop, President, Dining Innovation USA West, Toshi Hayakawa, President, Dining Innovation North America & Europe, and the team at TsuruTonTan for the amazing foodie experience, as we welcome you to the Waikiki ohana. New York and now Hawai’i are the only two locations of this restaurant chain outside of Japan. Also, congratulations to Marleen Akau, Sam Shenkus, and Nani Hirosane of the Royal Hawaiian Center management team for the grand opening of another fabulous new restaurant at RHC. |
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40th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk
Mahalo Hawaii for your continued kokua in our "tradition of giving!" Our 40th year was our best yet: we'll see you Saturday May 18, 2019!
Congratulations: another successful Visitor Industry Charity Walk!
Oahu's Visitor Industry Charity Walk was yet again a fun and fantastic time for all! On Saturday, May 19, 2018 more than 7,000 participants came out and helped raise a total of over $450,000 - with monies still rolling in for many local charities here on Oahu, and over $2.5 million statewide!
On behalf of the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association and the Hawaii Hotel Industry Foundation, we would like to extend our sincerest mahalo to all those that sponsored, coordinated, promoted, and participated in the 40th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk. Without all your tireless work and amazing support, this event would not have been possible. From our checkpoint sponsors to our recruiters, this grand event requires the dedication and passion of many different people and we would like to take this time to send a special thank you to all those that have truly continued this tradition of giving!
On behalf of the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association and the Hawaii Hotel Industry Foundation, we would like to extend our sincerest mahalo to all those that sponsored, coordinated, promoted, and participated in the 40th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk. Without all your tireless work and amazing support, this event would not have been possible. From our checkpoint sponsors to our recruiters, this grand event requires the dedication and passion of many different people and we would like to take this time to send a special thank you to all those that have truly continued this tradition of giving!
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Special Thanks to the heart and soul of the 2018 Visitor Industry Charity Walk...Our Checkpoint Sponsors!!!
"Special Thanks" to our Visitor Industry Charity Walk 2018 Core Organizations
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Special Thanks to our Visitor Industry
Charity Walk 2018 Organizers! · Our Charity Walk Honorary Chair, Rick Blangiardi, and special guests Guy Hagi and Stephanie Lum · Our emcees Sam Kapu, Kimo Villarimo, and Bulla & Lynette Eastman of the Salem Media Hawai'i Team, led by Dita Holifield; and the Hawaii News Now Team, led by Rick Blangiardi · Kyo-ya and Aqua-Aston Hospitality for being our 2018 Charity Walk radio campaign sponsors · The 200 volunteer course marshals who devoted their Saturday morning to assist in walker safety, course direction, and of course in CHEERING! · All the charities that participated and had members join us in volunteering as course marshals, parking attendants, and walker card distributors. · All the volunteers who ran the registration table and managed all charity walk monies and forms. · Cindy Adams and Aloha United Way for helping us with the online grant application process. · The HPD officers headed by Acting Captain Eric Yosemori (District 6), Lt. Greg Kinoshita (District 6), Lt. Matt Kurihara (District 1), and Sgt. Deric Valoroso (District 1), who helped ensure another safe and successful event! · The Kyo-ya ohana for coordinating and executing all the tent set-ups, stage set-ups, registration/volunteer station, banners, and parking in the Key Hole Area of McCoy Pavilion. · Jeff Marcello and the Pomaikai Ballrooms for hosting our annual Charity Walk Kick-Off Breakfast. · Francis Cofran with GGP Inc. & Ala Moana Shopping Center for use of their parking facilities. · Our First Aid sponsors from Urgent Care Hawaii; Donna Schmidt, Melissa C. Bojoruqez, and Cindy Suzuki, who ensured a safe walk for all. · Unforgettable performances by Pule Kakou featuring Danny Caparoso, and Mike Seda, with guests Gordon Freitas, and Art Kalahiki. · Chris Sbarbaro and the Enterprise Holdings team for their generous donation of route vans. · Maki Kuroda and E Noa Tours, for the donation of their trolley used to transport all course marshals. · Dennis Burns, Jason Nishimura and Visitor Video for helping promote the Charity Walk in our hotel in-room stations. · Mystical Sound Productions and Joe Ho for A/V equipment and setting up all sound equipment for the countdown and entertainment stages. · Our security team headed by Jerry Dolak (HHVISA) and Kent Harada (Halekulani). · Our Checkpoint Chairs Kevin Donnelly and Matt Alcosiba. · Our Route Van Drivers and their shotgun passengers: Yusuke Matsuda, Jocelyn Kimura, Curtis Jackson, and Byron Riddle. · Our Volunteer Trolley coordinator, Karen Fowler. · Our Video Team led by Valen Ahlo. · Our Event Photographer Travis Okimoto. |
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