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 22nd
19th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament
We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for our 19th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament, to be held at the Prince Golf Course on August 9th.
Education is one of the pillars of HLTA, and I believe that scholarships help to provide the future generation with opportunities they may otherwise not experience. We continue to grant funds to a diverse group of students at both high school and post-secondary education institutions over the course of the year. Last year, in commemoration of our 70th Anniversary, I was proud to introduce Active and Allied Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each and three $1,000 Ho’okipa Scholarships to outstanding high school seniors in addition to the numerous other scholarships we facilitate annually. In order to make these scholarships possible we are asking for sponsorships, team registrations, and prize donations. If you're interested in participating in our tournament, please click the link below. If you have any questions, please contact Vice President Dean Nakasone at dnakasone@hawaiilodging.org |
VASH 20th Anniversary
HLTA, in coordination with the Waikiki Improvement Association and Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH), co-hosted the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai'i's 20th Anniversary Reception on Wednesday, June 20th.
As many of you know, the mission of VASH is “to share aloha with visitors who have been victims of a crime or other adversities, and to provide follow-up assistance and support in an effort to create a positive memory of their stay in our islands.” The partnership was an obvious one, as HLTA has played a major role in supporting VASH financially, through our Visitor Industry Charity Walk, and by serving on their Board of Directors. Additionally, HLTA also works closely with the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's office in securing accommodations for visitors who return to provide testimony as victims or witnesses of crime during their stay. At the reception, Waikiki stakeholders including Honolulu Chief of Police Susan Ballard, Rick Fried, Chair of Hawaii Tourism Authority, Rick Egged, President of Waikiki Improvement Association, and myself commended VASH and their many volunteers for the admirable work that they do. Congratulations on twenty years of esteemed work... here's to twenty more! |
Meeting with Governor Ige on Senate Bill 2699
This past Monday, a delegation of 11 visitor industry executives and stakeholders joined me in an important meeting with Governor David Ige. The meeting was convened to discuss the industry’s strong opposition to Senate Bill 2699, which would have extremely negative implications for Hawai’i’s lodging industry. As a refresher, SB2699 proposes to implement the 10.25% transient accommodations tax on “resort fees” - which is defined in the bill as any charge or surcharge imposed by an operator, owner, or representative thereof to a transient for the use of the transient accommodation's property, services, or amenities.
The meeting was productive, as we laid out our arguments and personally delivered to the Governor a petition letter signed by 1,900 members of the visitor industry statewide, urging his veto to this short-sighted bill.
The Governor has until June 25th to issue his “intent to veto” list to the Hawaii State Legislature. Stay tuned as we keep you apprised of the measure’s impending outcome.
The meeting was productive, as we laid out our arguments and personally delivered to the Governor a petition letter signed by 1,900 members of the visitor industry statewide, urging his veto to this short-sighted bill.
The Governor has until June 25th to issue his “intent to veto” list to the Hawaii State Legislature. Stay tuned as we keep you apprised of the measure’s impending outcome.
Gubernatorial Debate, July 2nd
The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, in coordination with Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Waikiki Improvement Association, and Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9, are hosting this gubernatorial debate
July 2nd, 10am-12pm
Prince Waikiki
Pi'inaio Ballroom
Be an informed voter and come join us.
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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