Blog Archives

Mufi's Message 7.26.19

7/26/2019

Tourism Dollars Support Homelessness Services
in Downtown, Chinatown

This past Wednesday, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority joined us in hosting a press conference and check distribution for two worthy nonprofit organizations dealing with homelessness in the downtown Honolulu district.

We awarded the Hawai‘i Health and Harm Reduction Center (HHHRC) $90,162 for their homelessness outreach program, which is modeled after Seattle’s successful LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion) program. The HHHRC works hand in hand with the Honolulu Police Department to help divert offenders suspected of certain low-level crimes to social services instead of criminal prosecution. The nonprofit organization works closely with HPD’s Captain Mike Lambert, who is spearheading the Department’s homelessness outreach unit.

The Chinatown Improvement District received $15,000 - the funds will help their security patrol pilot program, which assists HPD and HHHRC in their endeavors.

The funding of these projects derive from public dollars allocated through ACT 86 of the 2018 Hawai‘i State Legislative session, which matches private sector donations with state monies for programs combatting homelessness in tourism impacted areas. HLTA made this a top priority in our legislative agenda . We thank the Hawai‘i State Legislature, Governor’s Ige’s Administration, especially State Comptroller Curt Otaguro, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority for helping us make this private -public partnership such a success.

The contributions provided to these two programs are a direct follow up to the keynote remarks offered by Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard at our March 28thVisitor Public Safety Conference. During her speech, she emphasized the laser like focus HPD is placing on the growing problem of homelessness in the City & County of Honolulu, and requested additional support from the industry to assist with their mission of assisting with this major issue.

During our press conference, Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard, HHHRC Executive Director Heather Lusk, and Chinatown Improvement District President Lee Stack joined HTA President & CEO Chris Tatum and myself in commenting on the importance these funds will have on the Downtown Honolulu region.

Also joining us for the check presentations were State Representative Daniel Holt, Honolulu Council Chair Emeritus Ann Kobayashi, Honolulu Councilmember Carol Fukunaga, Honolulu Police Department Deputy Chief John McCarthy, Honolulu Police Department Captain Mike Lambert, and Chinatown Neighborhood Board Chair Chu Lan Shubert-Kwok and Eric Wong, Kekaulike Courtyards Property Manager.

For more details regarding this event, please view the following: press release, Star-Advertiser article, and KITV coverage.

Changes in Waikiki General Managers

Congratulations to our former HLTA Vice President Dean Nakasone on his new role as General Manager of the Aston Waikiki Sunset. He has recently taken over the property as the former General Manager, and longtime HLTA Board Member Doug Okada, has retired. Doug did yeoman work as a very active member of our Board for several years which included an outstanding tenure as the Chair of the Membership Committee We wish him a happy and relaxing retirement, with many rounds of golf!

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Irby Morvant, the new General Manager at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa. Irby was previously the General Manager of the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport. Best wishes to the new Prince Waikiki General Manager Joshua Hargrove, as he joins the Prince team here in Waikiki – he was most recently serving as the Hotel Manager for the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas on Maui. We look forward to working with both of them.

General Membership Meeting, Oct. 17-19: Managing Tourism Better - Sponsor Showcase Registration Now Open!

In case you missed our announcements earlier this month, we will be holding our 192nd General Membership Meeting at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, from October 17th-19th. Our theme, “Managing Tourism Better,” will feature Keynote Speakers, Lieutenant Governor Josh Green and Hawai'i Tourism Authority President & CEO Chris Tatum.

I know you’re all excited to join us, and I hope that you’ve already registered. If not, please be sure to do so. Our General Membership Meeting registration link is open, as is our room block reservations link. I am now happy to announce that our Sponsor Showcase registration link is now live as well. These ever-popular sponsorship registrations are in limited supply, so be sure to register soon!

As a reminder, all exhibiting sponsors are required to have at least one GMM attendee, so please make sure you register for both, as the registrations are separate. If you’re interested in participating as a sponsor, or have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Ashley Yonamine, our Director of Membership & Communications, for further details.

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Mufi's Message, 07.19.19

7/19/2019

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Total Charity Walk Numbers Are In: A New Statewide Record!

This year, our 41st annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk once again set a new statewide record with $2.66 million dollars raised!

Now that the final numbers have been tallied, here’s where the Island by Island breakdown for the 2019 year:

Hawai'i Island: $382,000
Kauai: $451,051
Lanai: $66,362
Maui: $1,227,062
Molokai: $23,432
Oahu: $510,259

Which brings us to a precise total of $2,660,166! We could not have done this without your help. Whether you were a walker, volunteer, or a donor, we send you our heartfelt gratitude. I know all too well that these events take a lot of your time and energy so I truly appreciate all your support in perpetuating our tradition of giving.

Next important step is the Allocations process. It’s always a joy to witness the hundreds of local 501(c)3s organizations who apply statewide for these grants on their respective islands receive their funds. Mahalo again for your kokua!

Oahu Chapter's Back to School Supply Drive A Success

This past weekend, our Oahu Chapter held their fourth annual Back to School Supply Drive at Kahala Mall. HLTA Members and school faculty gathered donations of school supplies in support of local public schools: Ali'iolani Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, and Jarrett Middle School.

The successful Drive collected boxes of school supplies and raised $600. There was strong attendance by both Aliiolani and Jefferson Elementary Schools, including Jefferson Principal Garret Zakahi, and Ali'iolani Vice Principal Tim Hosoda.

Congratulations on a job well done, Oahu Chapter, under the leadership of Chair Bonnie Kiyabu! Mahalo for donating your time to assist our keiki.

HTA Survey

The Hawai'i Tourism Authority is conducting a survey for their 2020-20205 Strategic Plan, and would appreciate your feedback. The goal is to identify issues and opportunities for potential products, amenities, education, programs, or experiences that would benefit tourism on your island, as well as bolster the community’s economy.

If you’re interested, please click here to participate. Completed surveys are due next Friday, July 26th.

HLTA, HTA, HPD Partnership on New Funding for Homelessness Initiatives

Through the monies raised from our visitor industry charity walk primarily, we have been steadfast contributors to many organizations who deal with homelessness; clearly one of the most challenging problems of our times.

On that note, we are excited to allocate some new funding for some substantive initiatives in combatting homelessness. We are following up and responding to what we heard at our Visitor Public Safety Conference on March 28th, from Honolulu Police Chief Susan Ballard, who focused on the issues they have had with homelessness. The Chief requested additional support from the industry to help HPD fulfill its mission in helping our communities.

We will be holding a press conference next week at Kekaulike Mall in Chinatown to unveil these new funding initiatives. Stay tuned!

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HLTA Blog

Mufi's Message 7.26.19

Tourism Dollars Support Homelessness Services
in Downtown, Chinatown

Changes in Waikiki General Managers

General Membership Meeting, Oct. 17-19: Managing Tourism Better - Sponsor Showcase Registration Now Open!

Mufi's Message, 07.19.19

Total Charity Walk Numbers Are In: A New Statewide Record!

Oahu Chapter's Back to School Supply Drive A Success

HTA Survey

HLTA, HTA, HPD Partnership on New Funding for Homelessness Initiatives

Stay in the know

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HLTA Blog

Mufi's Message 7.26.19

Tourism Dollars Support Homelessness Servicesin Downtown, Chinatown ​

Changes in Waikiki General Managers

General Membership Meeting, Oct. 17-19: Managing Tourism Better - Sponsor Showcase Registration Now Open!

Mufi's Message, 07.19.19

Total Charity Walk Numbers Are In: A New Statewide Record!

Oahu Chapter's Back to School Supply Drive A Success

HTA Survey

HLTA, HTA, HPD Partnership on New Funding for Homelessness Initiatives

Stay in the know

Archives

Categories

Tourism Dollars Support Homelessness Services
in Downtown, Chinatown