Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association
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​HAWAI'I LODGING & TOURISM ASSOCIATION

Representing Over 700 Lodging Properties and Businesses through education, advocacy, and philanthropy. Established in 1947.
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Click on Image to Download HLTA's COVID-19 Health, Safety, and Security Standards

COVID-19 Media & Resources

Recent media items:
"Donations beef up food distributions," The Garden Island, December 18, 2020
​"Lackluster Hawaii tourism widens losses for hotels," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, December 20, 2020
​"Residents’ sentiment toward tourism has worsened," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, December 21, 2020
"Economic recovery for Kauai likely to be slow going," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, January 4, 2020
"Kauai expects slow economic recovery after tourism resumes," West Hawaii Today, January 5, 2020
"Ige has no plans to ease testing rules for visitors, despite calls to do so from tourism industry," Hawaii News Now, January 5, 2020
"Kauai travel rules change – again – as Hawaiian islands struggle with tourism, pandemic," USA Today, January 5, 2020

Safe Travels Hawaii Website: travel.hawaii.gov
Safe Travels Hawaii Fact Sheet: Click here to download
HLTA Pre-Arrival FAQ Sheet: Click here to download
HDOT Travel FAQ Sheet: hidot.hawaii.gov/coronavirus/
O'ahu COVID-19 Website: oneoahu.org
CDC Travel Planner: Click here to view

For up-to-date information, the Department of Health has created a page that will serve as a COVID-19 information hub for the foreseeable future. You may visit it here.

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EDUCATION

​We provide educational opportunities, information, and resources to our members, legislators, the media,
​and the community


View our calendar of events
Register for an upcoming event

ADVOCACY

We advocate the needs of our members with the federal, state, and county governments.
HLTA's government affairs
2018 ELECTION RECAP

PHILANTHROPY

We support and contribute to a better quality of life and environment for both the community and our visitors.
Visit the Charity Walk website
View Scholarship Opportunities
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January 15, 2021

Government Affairs

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Aloha,

This afternoon, HLTA held the first meeting of our Government Affairs Committee. This is a standing committee that traditionally first meets before the opening of the Legislative Session. During our first meeting, we reviewed our 2021 Position Statement which details our current position on a number of issues including, but not limited to, tourism management, tax rates, public safety, and COVID-19-related concerns. The final draft of this document will be posted on our website under the "Advocacy" tab next week Thursday.

We were then joined by Speaker Saiki, House Tourism Chair Onishi, Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, and Senate Tourism Chair Wakai, each of whom discussed their legislative priorities for the year and fielded questions from committee members. It was an extremely productive first meeting, and we are looking looking forward to future sessions.

AHLA Insights Webinar

The American Hotel & Lodging Association has announced an upcoming webinar that may be of interest to you. The event will feature AHLA's first-ever State of the Industry Report and is scheduled for Thursday, January 21 at 3 p.m. EST. Scheduled to speak are the following individuals:
  • Mark Hoplamazian
    President & CEO
    Hyatt Hotels Corporation
    AHLA Chair of the Board
  • Robert Isom
    President
    American Airlines
  • Chip Rogers
    President & CEO
    AHLA
The webinar will focus on AHLA's legislative priorities for the coming year and also provide key insights as part of the association's State of the Industry Report. It will also cover the variety of changes that have occurred within our industry as we adapt to the post-COVID-19 landscape.

This is a great opportunity to get better acquainted with the national level issues facing our industry. AHLA’s Chip Rogers and I have been discussing various ways for our two organizations to collaborate in this toughest of years for our industry nationally and locally. To learn more about the event and to register, please please click here.

EAT THINK DRINK

This past Tuesday evening, HLTA partnered with the Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation to host a riveting episode of HAF's popular EAT THINK DRINK series. My deepest mahalo to all of you who were able to join us for this wonderfully informative event.

After short remarks from TZ Economics' Paul Brewbaker and yours truly, viewers were treated to an in-depth discussion led by Senate Tourism Chair Glenn Wakai. The panelists, which included Central Pacific Bank Executive Chairman Paul Yonamine, Kualoa Ranch President John Morgan, Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club General Manager Lynette Eastman, and Alaska Airlines Director of Sales, Community & Public Relations Daniel Chun, each brought a wealth of diverse experience and insights to the table and really shined a light on a variety of issues facing our industry.

In the video above, you will find a complete replay of the event that has been provided courtesy of the Hawai'i Agricultural Foundation. Below, you will find the recent promotional segment that aired on Living 808.
Have a great weekend,
​Mufi

HLTA In The Community

HLTA & Aloha Harvest Food Distribution - October 23, 2020

Hospitality Industry - Public Outreach & Updates

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Tourism 101 is a 30-minute talk show that features guests and topics from Hawai'i's premier industry
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Tune in to Tourism Tuesday.  HLTA's premier weekly radio show featuring speakers from across our industry.
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​Click here for latest scoops on Hawaii's tourism industry in the latest Hawaii Hospitality Magazine.

HLTA in the News

"HAF EAT THINK DRINK Virtual Event – Reimagining Tourism,"KHON2, January 11, 2021
"Ige has no plans to ease testing rules for visitors, despite calls to do so from tourism industry," Hawaii News Now, January 5, 2021
​"Lackluster Hawaii tourism widens losses for hotels," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, December 20, 2020
"Proposed Home Lands casino would allow golf course, theme parks, sporting events," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, December 17, 2020
"Traveling fixes urged during economic travails," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, December 14, 2020
"Hawaii forecasts visitor arrivals and spending to more than double next year," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, December 5, 2020
"Has The Hawaii Tourism Industry Lost Its Clout?," Civil Beat, December 2, 2020
"COVID committee suggests Safe Travels modification," The Garden Island, December 1, 2020
"Business leaders, legislators urge governor to rethink new restrictions on pre-travel testing program," HNN, November 30, 2020
"Debate Continues Over Balancing Economic Recovery And Public Health," November 26, 2020
"House Speaker: Changing Hawaii’s Pre-Travel Testing Program ‘Doesn’t Serve The Public’," Civil Beat, November 24, 2020
"Hawaii’s hotel industry is still struggling despite tourism reopening, and isn’t expected to break even in 2021," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, November 24, 2020
"Hawaii hotels face challenges to wipe away COVID 19," KITV4, November 23, 2020
"Rising COVID-19 cases on the mainland, new travel advisories likely to delay Hawaii’s tourism recovery," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, November 22, 2020
"Hotel leaders to share current operations, future insights in webinar," Pacific Business News, November 17, 2020
"Slow but steady tourism comeback prompts more Hawaii hotels to reopen," Hawaii News Nows, November 13, 2020
"Governor again urged to strengthen mask mandate as COVID-19 cases rise," Hawaii News Now, November 9, 2020
"Hotel industry sees slow visitor return, hopes for more bookings during holidays," KHON, November 5, 2020
"Hotel workers bill before City Council reduced to resolution," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, November 3, 2020
"Once again open to visitors, Hawaii prepares for the return of meetings and events," TSNN, November 2, 2020
"Hawaii’s visitor arrivals drop 25% from last week’s start of the pre-arrival testing program," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, October 30, 2020
"Hawaii's tangle of testing policies worry some," Travel Weekly, October 25, 2020
"​Caldwell signs bill upping non-kamaaina admission, parking rates for Hanauma Bay visitors," October 23, 2020
"Local watchdog group: Visitors aren’t following state’s mask rules," Hawaii News Now, October 23, 2020
"Hawaii stands to lose $100 million+ from the cancellation of Honolulu Marathon," KITV, October 23, 2020
"Most COVID-19 violators are Hawaii residents, Honolulu Police Department says," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, October 24, 2020
"Caldwell signs bill upping non-kamaaina admission, parking rates for Hanauma Bay visitors," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, October 23, 2020
"Traveling from California to Hawaii during coronavirus? Here’s what you need to know," San Francisco Chronicle, October 21, 2020
"Hotel industry balks at Mayor Caldwell’s criticism about educating tourists," KHON, October 20, 2020
"Honolulu City Council bill mandates hotel employee callback rules," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, October 20, 2020
"Since tourism relaunch, police have issued 4,500 warnings for violating COVID-19 orders," Hawaii News Now, October 19, 2020
"2 Kauai restaurants ban tourists from dining rooms," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, October 19, 2020
"Tourism officials optimistic about early visitor arrival numbers," KHON, October 16, 2020
"Coalition of local businesses launch We Are Ready campaign to reopen Hawaii," KHON, October 15, 2020
"Residents are conflicted about the return of visitors under Hawaii’s pre-travel testing program," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, October 15, 2020
"Is Hawaii ready to welcome back tourists? Opinions vary among industry leaders," Hawaii News News, October 13, 2020
"Hawaii reopening plans hazy as pre-arrivals testing program set to begin," October 13, 20
"More hotels announce reopening dates after pre-travel testing takes effect," KHON, September 29, 2020
"Good news for Alaskans dodging the cold: Visitors to Hawaii can soon pursue a testing alternative to quarantine," Anchorage Daily News, September 26, 2020
"​The Maui Invitational moves to the mainland in 2020," Hawaii News Now, September 19, 2020
"Some hotels plan to reopen Oct. 15, others will remain closed," KHON2, September 19, 2020
"Hawaii will allow travelers to skip quarantine with negative coronavirus test," KIRO7, September 17, 2020
"Kauai gets OK to use resort bubbles for a limited reopening of tourism," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, September 16, 2020
"Temptation Island production to be Maui's first attempt at resort bubble concept," KITV4, September 6, 2020
"​Lost faith in Hawaii’s October tourism reopening triggers mass layoffs, traveler cancellations," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, September 5, 2020
"Waikiki hotels agree to house those under quarantine," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, August 26, 2020
"​Hawaii Gov. David Ige gives counties right to pursue resort travel bubbles," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, August 20, 2020
"South Kohala resorts show off reopening plans," West Hawaii Today, August 16, 2020
"1,000 people show up to food distribution for workers in tourism industry," KITV4, August 14, 2020
​"14-day interisland quarantine returns," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, August 7, 2020
"Workers balance the need for a paycheck with the risk of contracting COVID-19," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, August 3, 2020
"​Hawaii hotels prepare to return to life in a COVID-19 world," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, July 24, 2020
"Hospitality workers push for health, safety in hotels before reopening tourism," Pacific Business News, July 16, 2020
"Hawaii's Changing Economy How This Special Legislative Committee Has Worked To Keep Hawaii’s Economy Afloat," Honolulu Civil Beat, July 15, 2020
"With testing option, Hawaii sees 'safe and healthy' path to reopening tourism," Travel Weekly, June 29, 2020
"Hawaii businesses fear unemployment tax increases will ruin their economic recovery," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, January 9, 2021
"Kauai travel rules change – again – as Hawaiian islands struggle with tourism, pandemic," USA Today, January 5, 2021
"Kauai expects slow economic recovery after tourism resumes," West Hawaii Today, January 5, 2020
"Economic recovery for Kauai likely to be slow going," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, January 4, 2020
"Donations beef up food distributions," The Garden Island, December 18, 2020
"Kupuna Power, Episode 15," HNN
"Some travelers frustrated with having to show negative COVID-19 test prior to departure," KHON2, November 25, 2020
"Officials worried new virus restrictions will slow tourism," Hawaii Tribune-Herald, November 24, 2020
"Ige under fire for recent change to pre-travel testing requirements," KITV4, November 23, 2020
"HPD sidelines COVID Enforcement Team due to possible overtime violations," KHON2, November 20, 2020
"Hawaii hotels now mandated to share health and safety plans," Pacific Business News, November 19, 2020
"Hotels to post health and safety plans online," KHON2, November 17, 2020
"West Coast states urge against travel, putting Hawaii’s fragile tourism recovery at risk," Hawaii News Now, November 16, 2020
"Pressure builds for stronger mask mandate," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, November 11, 2020
"Kim seeks help from tourism industry leaders," West Hawaii Today, November 8, 2020
"Hawaii banks gird for prolonged tourism slump," American Banker, November 2, 2020
"Hawaii business owners bracing for revenue crash," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, October 25, 2020
"The Conversation: Update on Hawaii's Tourism Reopening," Hawai'i Public Radio, October 21, 2020
"HLTA CEO says he expects about 95% of all hotels to reopened in Hawai'i by the end of 2020," KITV4, October 20, 2020
"Leaders discuss state of hotel industry during COVID-19," University of Hawai'i News, October 20, 2020
"Facing Economic Devastation, Hawaii Attempts To Revive Tourism," NPR, October 20, 2020
"Some travelers are allowed to enter Hawaii without tests from approved labs," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, October 15, 2020
​"Business organizations welcome back visitors with “Makaukau – We Are Ready” campaign," KITV, October 15, 2020
"Coronavirus Pandemic: The Tourism Test," Hawaii News Now, October 13, 2020
"Uncertainty around traveler testing program has many taking ‘wait-and-see’ approach," Hawaii News Now, October 10, 2020
"Visitor arrivals down 69% for 1st 8 months of 2020; nearly 98% drop in August," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, September 29, 2020
"Visitors to Oahu will face confusing COVID-19 restrictions," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, September 28, 2020
"More hotels announce reopening plans as pre-travel testing program start nears," KHON September 24, 2020
"Hawaii will allow pre-travel COVID testing instead of quarantining," Los Angeles Times, September 18, 2020
"Leaders of the hospitality industry say that hotels will be ready when tourism restarts," KHON2, September 16, 2020
"Pre-travel testing program to start Oct. 15, key step in rebooting Hawaii’s tourism," Hawaii News Now, September 16, 2020
"Hotel industry urges governor to relaunch trans-Pacific travel by mid-October," Hawaii News Now, September 16, 2020
"Hotel quarantine to cost hundreds of thousands per month in CARES Act funds," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, September 7, 2020
"In weeks, hundreds of Hawaii's hotel workers will lose their jobs," KITV4, September 4, 2020
"Hawaii never reopened this summer. What about Thanksgiving and Christmas?," Los Angeles Times, August 24, 2020
"Hawaii’s economic woes expected to widen," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, August 19, 2020
"Big-brand hotels roll out pandemic safety plans," The Maui News, August 15, 2020
"Hawaii’s visitor industry braces for another pre-arrivals testing delay," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, August 14, 2020
"Gov. David Ige’s reinstates interisland travel quarantine; Mayor Kirk Caldwell to close Oahu beaches, parks," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, August 6, 2020
"Hotel industry says it’s ready for visitors to return to the islands," Hawaii News Now, July 29, 2020
​"Hawaii’s hotel occupancy improved slightly in June, but further shocks are expected," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, July 22, 2020
"Hotels, attractions face uncertain future following tourism reopening delay," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, July 15, 2020
"Gov. Ige to extend 14-day quarantine for trans-Pacific arrivals through August," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, July 13, 2020
"Hundreds of Hawaii's hospitality workers receive free food amid pandemic," KITV4, July 10, 2020
"Oahu homeless veteran reunited with his family on Independence Day," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, July 5, 2020
"​Hawaii officials discuss return of travelers, strain on resources," Hawaii Tribune-Herald, June 30, 2020
"Maui tourism leaders welcome prearrival testing date for visitors," The Maui News, June 26, 2020
"Hotel industry gears up for lift of trans-Pacific travel restrictions," KHON2, June 25, 2020
"Justice Department urges Gov. David Ige to lift out-of-state quarantine," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, June 24, 2012
"Gov. David Ige reportedly close to announcing testing protocol, loosened quarantine," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, June 22, 2020
"Demand for travel could boost Hawaii’s recovery," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, June 18, 2020
"​Quarantine for neighbor island travel ends today," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, June 16, 2020
"Lt. Gov. Josh Green’s group recommends screening travelers for the coronavirus," June 12, 2020
"​HLTA chief says tourism faces long road to recovery," Travel Weekly, May 4, 2020
"Reopening Hawai‘i Tourism Part II: Should We Change the Visitor Industry?," Honolulu Business Magazine,  June 2, 2020
"Reopening Tourism: Residents, Visitors Must Trust They’ll Stay Virus-Free," Honolulu Business Magazine, June 1, 2020
"Locals take back tourist-free Waikiki during pandemic," Star Tribune, May 31, 2020
see more of HLTA in the media
Hawai'i Lodging & Tourism Association.  All Rights Reserved.
2270 Kalakaua Ave, Suite 1702  |  Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 923-0407 | info@hawaiilodging.org
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    • Contact Us
    • Chapters >
      • Oahu
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    • HLTA's Committees >
      • HLTA Engineers Council
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  • Membership
    • Calendar >
      • Event Registration
      • Major Events >
        • aio Media Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Awards
        • Charity Walk
        • Citizen-Scholar Awards
        • Hawai'i Hotel & Restaurant Show
        • Na Po'e Pa'ahana Awards
    • Become a Member!
    • Testimonials
    • Members Only
    • Membership Roster
    • Benefits of Membership
  • HLTA Endorsements
  • Health & Safety Standards
  • COVID-19
  • Advocacy
    • Bill 80 (2020)
    • Transient Vacation Rentals
    • Homelessness
    • TAT on Resort Fees
    • Airports Corporation
    • Public Safety and emergency Management
    • Human Trafficking
    • Legislative Tracker
  • Scholarships
  • Resources
    • Hawaii's Green Hotels
  • Blog
  • HLTA Media
    • Tourism Tuesday
    • Tourism 101