HLTA was able to honor the late Uncle Tom Moffat as honorary chair for the 38th annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk in one of his last major public appearances. A legend in Hawaii's entertainment world, Moffatt was known for bringing greats such as Elvis Presley, Michael and Janet Jackson, and The Rolling Stones to the islands and promoting home grown talents, including Dick Jensen, C&K, Kalapana, and of course Bruno Mars with many others.  Read more in the December 28 issue of Midweek - Island Matters. 

Also in the article is "The Oscars of Hospitality," an introduction to HLTA's 27th annual Na Po'e Pa'ahana Awards. This year the ceremony will be held on January 12, 2017 at the Sheraton Waikiki Resort Grand Ballroom, and will feature a brand new award for chef/restaurateur of the year!

​Nearly 30 members supported the Salvation Army Angel Tree Project this morning by distributing hundreds of gifts and Christmas Trees to those in need! Many HLTA members fulfilled the wishes of the recipients by donating over a hundred items for children and seniors prior to the distribution. Then this morning they rolled up their sleeves and helped hand out the gifts to the long line of deserving recipients. Each year, the Salvation Army distributes over 20,000 gifts statewide.

Mahalo to everyone who attended HLTA's Holiday Party at SKY Waikiki. We received many great compliments, and are so glad members enjoyed the festivities. 
The party featured several activites including a "Craft a Christmas Cocktail" station, "Build a Gingerbread Hotel" competition, Christmas "Karol-oke," and "Prancer's Pictures" photobooth. Hawaiian Santa Claus Joe Magaldi  took photos with guests and truly helped make the “Santa’s workshop” theme come alive. There was also great entertainment led by Ellsworth Simeona.
Mahalo to those who participated in the Gingerbread Hotel making contest! It was great to see several groups really get into the activity with detailed and unique designs. The winner of the contest was HI Power Solar with their awesome design featuring solar panels on the roof. They received a complimentary stay at Turtle Bay Resort. 
Mahalo to our members who graciously donated "Santa's Gifts" to the party: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, The Westin Princeville Resort Villas, Turtle Bay Resort, Interstate Restoration Hawaii, Douglas Trade Shows, Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor. The grand prize winner of the half-page holiday ad in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser was Terri Racine from Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki. 

This past weekend HLTA proudly co-sponsored the ‘Hawaii Remembers’ Block Party with the Home of the Brave Museum, Brewseum, and the Pearl Harbor 75th Anniversary committee. This event was one of the many festivities tied to the commemoration of the 75 years since the attacks on Pearl Harbor, and was held to honor, remember, and salute our local and visiting Pearl Harbor Survivors, WWII Veterans, their families, and our military who were each in attendance that evening. Veterans of the Greatest Generation Foundation and California Chapter of Pearl Harbor Survivors were shuttled to the event by specially decorated buses as well as shuttles provided by E Noa Tours, and greeted with lei offered by The Orchid Lei company.

The Block Party took place on Sunday evening along Waimanu street at the Home of the Brave Museum, Brewseum, and Kaka‘ako Foundry Museum. Military and civilians alike relished the marvels of the Home of The Brave Museum, which carries the largest collection of WWII memorabilia in the Pacific. The artifacts are donated entirely by veterans or their families. Party goers sipped on craft beers at the Brewseum, which is a brewpub right next door to the Home of the Brave Museum that’s decked out with a model train set running on a track around the ceiling and WWII fighter planes hanging from the rafters. Guests relaxed in Robert “Bob” Bosley’s “man-cave” full of vintage automobiles, antiques, and other rare collectibles. What was once Diamond Head Sprinklers now holds Bob’s impressive collection of classic cars, including a 1939 Packard, a 1970’s Shelby GT500, a 1905’s Chevy, and a 1930’s Cord.

There was a stirring presentation given by Daniel Martinez in remembrance of the event that thrust Hawaii into the national spotlight as well as a tribute to all those that played a part in defending our nation during WWII. Mufi also offered mahalo remarks to The Greatest Generation and the special men and women who survived WWII who were there that evening. He was joined by two veterans who serve in our State legislature: U.S. Marine Veteran Rep. Bob McDermott and Rep. Ken Ito, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Throughout the evening, guests of the block party enjoyed food by Tin Hut BBQ and drinks brewed right in the Home of the Brave microbrewery. Later, Kapena wowed the crowd in the Brewpub, performing a variety of jams including a few of their original hits and several “oldies but goodies.” Mufi joined Kapena on stage in a rendition of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love and his brother Nephi’s local hit, Samoan Medley, while the crowd danced along.
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There were scattered showers throughout the evening, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from attending the event. Mahalo to the Tomlinson family of the Home of the Brave Museum and Brewseum, Bob Bosley, E Noa Tours, The Orchid Lei Company, and all the volunteers for making this a fantastic evening for all. 

On Thursday, December 1, members of HYPE relaxed with peers and took in the beautiful views aboard Hawaii Nautical's Honi Olani sunset cocktail cruise! Members enjoyed great weather as the clouds and rain thankfully cleared up just in time for the cruise. They were also able catch a breathtaking sunset as well as Waikiki's lighted landscape.  A big mahalo to Dave Carroll for helping to set up the charter cruise and to the Hawaii Nautical crew for taking care of the group throughout the evening.