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, July 20th
First Congressional District Forum
Yesterday, Thursday the 19th, marked the last in our trio of political forums. Mahalo to all who attended our First Congressional District Forum with candidates former Congressman Ed Case, Lieutenant Governor Doug Chin, Representative Beth Fukumoto, Representative Kaniela Ing, Senator Donna Mercado Kim, and Honolulu Council Chair Ernest Martin.
This debate series has been hosted by HLTA in partnership with the Retail Merchants of Hawai‘i, Waikiki Improvement Association, and the Waikiki Neighborhood Board.
I would like to send my gratitude to the candidates, our moderator, Gina Mangieri of KHON2, and panelists Ashley Nagaoka of Hawaii News Now and Allison Schaefers of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, for doing such an exemplary job sparking lively discourse among the candidates. I would also like to extend a special mahalo to our hosts, the Kyo-ya group and Sheraton Waikiki, for a successful event. If you missed it, please catch the KHON2 segment or the Honolulu Star-Advertiser's full video coverage.
If you are eager for more opportunities to mix and mingle with your potential elected officials, HLTA is hosting a political Hospitality Industry Pau Hana: Meet the Candidates on August 1st at Lucky Strike. HLTA-endorsed candidates will be in attendance and are looking forward to meeting you! Please register here.
This debate series has been hosted by HLTA in partnership with the Retail Merchants of Hawai‘i, Waikiki Improvement Association, and the Waikiki Neighborhood Board.
I would like to send my gratitude to the candidates, our moderator, Gina Mangieri of KHON2, and panelists Ashley Nagaoka of Hawaii News Now and Allison Schaefers of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, for doing such an exemplary job sparking lively discourse among the candidates. I would also like to extend a special mahalo to our hosts, the Kyo-ya group and Sheraton Waikiki, for a successful event. If you missed it, please catch the KHON2 segment or the Honolulu Star-Advertiser's full video coverage.
If you are eager for more opportunities to mix and mingle with your potential elected officials, HLTA is hosting a political Hospitality Industry Pau Hana: Meet the Candidates on August 1st at Lucky Strike. HLTA-endorsed candidates will be in attendance and are looking forward to meeting you! Please register here.
Hawaii Public Radio: The Future of Tourism in the Hawaiian Islands
On Monday morning, I was featured on Hawai‘i Public Radio as a guest of Chris Vandercook and Catherine Cruz on their talk show “The Conversation.” I was joined by Hawai‘i State Representative, and House Tourism Chair, Richard Onishi as we spoke to the current status and future outlook of Tourism in our state. We covered key issues relevant to the industry which included the ongoing discussion of transient vacation rentals in our communities, the allocations of the transient accommodations tax, economic diversification and its direct tie to tourism, and public safety to name a few. We also discussed the outlook of our state’s infrastructure through the perception that we are reaching a tipping point of over-tourism in our islands. Our discussions included insight from Elizabeth Churchill, Owner of Churchill Group, and a former executive at Aqua-Aston Hospitality, who weighed in on a few of these key issues.
To listen to the full show, please click on the following link: The Future of Tourism in the Hawaiian Islands.
To listen to the full show, please click on the following link: The Future of Tourism in the Hawaiian Islands.
Oahu Chapter's Back to School Drive
Mahalo to everyone who came out this past weekend to participate with our Oahu Chapter Back to School Supply Drive! This was the third year the Oahu Chapter Committee held a drive to collect much needed school supplies at Kahala Mall. Donations collected benefit students at Jefferson Elementary School and Ali’iolani Elementary School for the upcoming school year and help ease the burden for families who are facing financial hardships.
This year, the drive amassed several boxes of school supplies and $1,400 in monetary donations, which were used to purchase Longs gift cards for both schools. I’d like to send a special mahalo to Drake Biel, and all our members who generously donated materials so that students will have the tools they need to learn. Mahalo to our Oahu Chapter Chair, Bonnie Kiyabu and Jodi Uehara for coordinating the drive and the committee members who came out to volunteer that day. Your support of our keiki is truly making a difference.
This year, the drive amassed several boxes of school supplies and $1,400 in monetary donations, which were used to purchase Longs gift cards for both schools. I’d like to send a special mahalo to Drake Biel, and all our members who generously donated materials so that students will have the tools they need to learn. Mahalo to our Oahu Chapter Chair, Bonnie Kiyabu and Jodi Uehara for coordinating the drive and the committee members who came out to volunteer that day. Your support of our keiki is truly making a difference.
HLTA Member Microfridge Continues to Donate
Tim Bales, left, presents mini fridge and microwave to Adult Friends For Youth’s Malakai “Mo” Maumalanga, Director of Redirectional Services (center), and HLTA Vice President Dean Nakasone (right).
Last week at the Hospitality and Foodservice Expo, veteran HLTA member Microfridge graciously continued their “legacy gift,” a mini refrigerator and microwave donation. For the past several years, when West Coast Key Account Manager Tim Bales flies in for the Expo, he brings units to display: and when the Expo wraps up, he charitably gives his product to a local non-profit. This year’s beneficiary is Adult Friends For Youth, a longtime youth advocate and gang prevention organization which is slated to begin an increased presence here in Waikiki later this year. Much mahalo to Tim and Microfridge for their continued generosity.
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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