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EDUCATIONWe provide educational opportunities, information, and resources to our members, legislators, the media,
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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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January 10, 2022
Maui Moratorium
Aloha,
On Friday, the Maui County Council voted to override Mayor Victorino's veto of Bill 148 which puts into place a two-year moratorium on building permits for transient accommodations on Maui. Despite a strong effort from the local tourism industry, labor unions, trade organizations, businesses, and community partners to support the sustention of Mayor Victorino’s veto, the Council ultimately voted 6-3 in favor of the override, and we fell a single vote short.
"Council overrides mayor veto on hotly debated visitor lodging moratorium," Maui News, January 7, 2022
The council meeting was dominated by hours of testimony on Bill 148, with both proponents and opponents to the veto override weighing in. I would like to send a shoutout to all those who took the time to submit testimony and testify to the negative impacts and unintended ramifications that a moratorium would have on Maui’s hospitality industry and overall economy. A very special mahalo to Council Chair Alice Lee, Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura, and Councilmember Tasha Kama for voting to sustain the mayor’s veto and for never wavering on their position that a moratorium isn’t the answer to tourism management.
Although we knew going in that this would be an uphill battle, I would like to give kudos to our Maui affiliate, MHLA, and our coalition partners who turned out in force to oppose Bill 148. We've proven that bringing together lodging, attractions and activities, retail, small business, restaurants, and labor as a unified front makes us a powerful and effective lobby. This is a strategy that we successfully used throughout 2021 especially at the State level and we will continue to utilize this template at the county level as well.
On Friday, the Maui County Council voted to override Mayor Victorino's veto of Bill 148 which puts into place a two-year moratorium on building permits for transient accommodations on Maui. Despite a strong effort from the local tourism industry, labor unions, trade organizations, businesses, and community partners to support the sustention of Mayor Victorino’s veto, the Council ultimately voted 6-3 in favor of the override, and we fell a single vote short.
"Council overrides mayor veto on hotly debated visitor lodging moratorium," Maui News, January 7, 2022
The council meeting was dominated by hours of testimony on Bill 148, with both proponents and opponents to the veto override weighing in. I would like to send a shoutout to all those who took the time to submit testimony and testify to the negative impacts and unintended ramifications that a moratorium would have on Maui’s hospitality industry and overall economy. A very special mahalo to Council Chair Alice Lee, Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura, and Councilmember Tasha Kama for voting to sustain the mayor’s veto and for never wavering on their position that a moratorium isn’t the answer to tourism management.
Although we knew going in that this would be an uphill battle, I would like to give kudos to our Maui affiliate, MHLA, and our coalition partners who turned out in force to oppose Bill 148. We've proven that bringing together lodging, attractions and activities, retail, small business, restaurants, and labor as a unified front makes us a powerful and effective lobby. This is a strategy that we successfully used throughout 2021 especially at the State level and we will continue to utilize this template at the county level as well.
Trade Show
With the New Years' celebrations behind us, we turn our attention to the quickly approaching Hawai'i Hotel & Restaurant Show (HHRS), the state’s premier hospitality industry expo. Slated to be held on March 30 and 31 at the Hawai'i Convention Center, our industry's show will look to return after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser—which partners with HLTA and the Hawai'i Restaurant Association to host the HHRS—ran a great write-up in yesterday's edition of the paper, sharing some of the details for this year’s event.
If you are interested in securing a booth, please call Star Events at 808-529-4850 or visit their website here. And, if you have any questions or comments, please call us directly.
Mahalo,
Mufi
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser—which partners with HLTA and the Hawai'i Restaurant Association to host the HHRS—ran a great write-up in yesterday's edition of the paper, sharing some of the details for this year’s event.
If you are interested in securing a booth, please call Star Events at 808-529-4850 or visit their website here. And, if you have any questions or comments, please call us directly.
Mahalo,
Mufi
"Why has Tanioka’s stopped taking New Year’s orders? It’s a sign of the times," Hawai'i News Now, December 29, 2021
"New CDC quarantine isolation guidance receives mixed reaction," KITV, December 28, 2021
"Kaua‘i students complete hospitality program," The Garden Island, December 24, 2021
"Despite Omicron spread, travelers continue to flock to Hawaii for the holidays," Hawaii News Now, December 22, 2021
"Hawaii Island Visitor Industry Charity Walk raises $282K," West Hawaii Today, December 15, 2021
"Apparent ransomware attack could affect paychecks for thousands in Honolulu," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, December 15, 2021
"Potential repercussions of Navy water contamination on Hawaiʻi tourism," Hawai'i Public Radio, December 9, 2021
"Nonprofits benefit from Visitor Industry Charity Walk," Hawaii Tribune-Herald, December 8, 2021
"46 Kaua‘i nonprofits share charity walk funds," The Garden Island, December 3, 2021
"New CDC quarantine isolation guidance receives mixed reaction," KITV, December 28, 2021
"Kaua‘i students complete hospitality program," The Garden Island, December 24, 2021
"Despite Omicron spread, travelers continue to flock to Hawaii for the holidays," Hawaii News Now, December 22, 2021
"Hawaii Island Visitor Industry Charity Walk raises $282K," West Hawaii Today, December 15, 2021
"Apparent ransomware attack could affect paychecks for thousands in Honolulu," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, December 15, 2021
"Potential repercussions of Navy water contamination on Hawaiʻi tourism," Hawai'i Public Radio, December 9, 2021
"Nonprofits benefit from Visitor Industry Charity Walk," Hawaii Tribune-Herald, December 8, 2021
"46 Kaua‘i nonprofits share charity walk funds," The Garden Island, December 3, 2021
