Mufi's Message 11.7.18

General Election evening was a night filled with anticipation, excitement, and tears of joy.  I was at my usual post: commentating on the election’s results with Mike Buck on AM690/FM 94.3, a tradition that we’ve maintained for many years now.  Jared and I eventually made our way down to the west side of Oahu to visit a couple of our HLTA-endorsed candidates who are now newly-elected officials to the Hawai‘i State Legislature. 

In the realm of endorsements, HLTA had a stellar year.  Our organization successfully endorsed 42 candidates in the 2018 State General Elections, 36 of whom were victorious in their respective races. 
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Hats off and congratulations to Governor David Ige and his running mate Lieutenant Governor-elect Josh Green for their triumph last night, as well as to newly elected Maui Mayor-elect Mike Victorino and Kaua‘i Mayor-elect Derek Kawakami. ​

In the Hawai‘i State Senate all 6 of our endorsed candidates won: Sen. Kaialii Kahele (District 1), Councilmember Dru Kanuha (District 2), Sharon Moriwaki (District 12), Sen. Clarence Nishihara (District 17), Sen. Michelle Kidani (District 18), and Kurt Fevella (District 19).  These individuals will be joined at the State Capitol by 13 of our 14 endorsed candidates in the State House: Rep. Christopher Todd (District 2), Rep. Richard Onishi (District 3), David Tarnas (District 7), Rep. Lynn DeCoite (District13), Rep. Gene Ward (District 17), Rep. Calvin Say (District 20), Rep. Tom Brower (District 22), Rep. Takashi Ohno (District 27), Rep. Romy Cachola (District 30), Val Okimoto (District36), Rep. Ryan Yamane (District37), Rep. Bob McDermott (District 40), and Rep. Cynthia Thielen (District 50).
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In the Hawai‘i Island County Council, HLTA batted 100% in our endorsements as County Council candidate Rebecca Villegas (District 7) was victorious, joining the 5 endorsed candidates who won their seats in the Primary Elections. 

On the Maui County Council front, HLTA candidates Alice Lee (Wailuku/Waihee/Waikapu), Councilmember Kelly King (South Maui), Mike Molina (Makawao/Haiku/Paia), Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura (Upcountry), and Councilmember Riki Hokama (Lanai) joined Mayor-elect Mike Victorino in a successful election.

Additionally, a big victory for the visitor industry came in the form of a County Charter Amendment. The Maui measure titled “Penalties” was approved in resounding fashion by Maui voters yesterday.  The result of this charter amendment will greatly increase the penalties on the operation of illegal short-term vacation rentals in Maui County.  The measure, which garnered 26,045 votes, will take the current $1,000 fine a person could be fined for operating an illegal TVR to up to $20,000, with a $10,000 fine for each day the illegal operation persists.  This is a huge victory for our industry in our mission of creating parity with the transient vacation rental market.  It truly underscores the theme that I have been advocating - this is not about the industry versus Airbnbs, but rather, the community against illegal TVRs.

On Kaua‘i, 6 of our 7 endorsed candidates will be joining mayoral winner Derek Kawakami in leading Kaua‘i’s County Government.  Congratulations to incumbents Councilmember Mason Chock, Councilmember Arryl Kaneshiro, Councilmember Ross Kagawa, and Councilmember Arthur Brun, who will be joined by newcomers Luke Evslin and Felicia Cowden in serving on the Kaua‘i County Council. 

Lastly, in the City & County of Honolulu, I would like to congratulate Council District 4 incumbent Councilmember Trevor Ozawa who won in a nail-biter against former State Representative Tommy Waters.  After factoring in the last-minute absentee ballots, post third-printout, Trevor inched ahead of his opponent, clinching his re-election to the Honolulu City Council.  Meanwhile Kelly Kitashima, who hails from the tourism industry, did well on her first attempt for public office by garnering 42% of the vote in Council District 8.

Although we do not endorse on the federal level, it is worth noting that former Outrigger executive, Ed Case, won his election to return to Congress.  We know that given Ed’s active involvement and experience in our industry, he will be a strong voice for tourism in the nation’s capital.    
               CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ELECTION RESULTS.

HLTA’s involvement in the 2018 elections was unprecedented in our 71-year history, and I would like to take a moment to emphasize the important stance that we took, not only in conducting a comprehensive statewide endorsement process, but supporting candidates who will be leaders in our community and stout supporters of our visitor industry.  Two such candidates came out of Mililani and Ewa Beach. ​

In Mililani, newcomer Val Okimoto won the District 36 seat over former State Representative Marilyn Lee by over 800 votes!  In an interview on election night, she credited the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association for being the only organization that endorsed her in her inaugural campaign.  Born on the island of Kaua‘i, the former special education teacher and highly active community leader is very familiar with the important role that tourism plays in our state’s economy. ​

In Ewa Beach, Kurt Fevella upset State Representative Matt Lopresti for the Senate District 19 seat which was vacated by former Senator Will Espero.  Kurt, a janitor by trade, is a fixture in the Ewa Beach community, serving as the President of the Ewa Beach Lions Club, and spearheading events such as park cleanups, the Ewa Beach Christmas Parade, and college football star Tua Tagavailoa’s Homecoming Ewa Parade.  HLTA was the first organization to endorse Kurt, who is now the only Republican Senator in the State of Hawai‘i - and the highest ranking official in the state’s GOP party.  He is very cognizant of the hundreds of his constituents from Ewa who are hospitality employees and promises to be supportive of HLTA’s efforts to strengthen our tourism industry.

Hawaii News Now: After a two-year dry spell,
​Hawaii once again has a lone Republican in the state Senate

                                                                       Click on photo to view the story
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As we close General Election 2018, I would like to applaud all the candidates throughout the state that endured the rigors of campaigning and offered our voters choices.  I would also like to commend those who took the time to go out and vote, exercising your right and responsibility as an American citizen.  Finally, I would like to send out our heartfelt congratulations to all the endorsed candidates of HLTA who will be taking office shortly.  We send our mahalo for your support of Hawai‘i’s hospitality industry and we look forward to working with you!
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