Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Chapters >
      • Oahu
      • Maui
      • Hawai'i
      • Kauai
    • HLTA's Committees >
      • Golf Tournament
      • Hospitality Housekeeping Council
      • Engineers Advisory Council
      • HLTA Engineers Council
      • HR Council
      • Government Affairs
      • HYPE
      • Membership
      • Hospitality IT Council
      • Women In Lodging & Tourism
    • Board of Directors
  • Membership
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Become a Member!
    • Testimonials
  • GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
    • Legislative Tracker
  • HTBCC
  • HLTA Initiatives
  • CHARITY WALK
  • Scholarships
  • #AlohaLater
  • Mākaukau
  • Health & Safety Standards
  • HLTA IN THE Media
  • Women In Lodging & Tourism

HLTA Blog

Mufi's Message - January 8

1/8/2021

0 Comments

 

US Capitol Riot

Aloha,

I know you were as appalled as I was by Wednesday’s mob violence at the Capitol. Anyone who believes in the ideals of America and our democracy would be dismayed and offended by what disrupted our elected representatives from dutifully approving the results of our election and the peaceful transition of Presidential authority.
 
It is to the great credit of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as the Congressional staff, that despite the melee that forced them to retreat temporarily to secure quarters, they reconvened to complete their business and unequivocally affirmed that the People have elected Joe Biden as the 46th President of our great nation. 
 
The criminal act by some reckless individuals, irresponsibly encouraged by the President himself, far exceeded the Constitutional right to freedom of speech and assembly. It has shaken the nation as well as other democracies and has prompted much finger-pointing and soul-searching.
 
We all should love and respect our country. We have been blessed with freedoms and rights unrivaled in the world. Let’s hold the offenders accountable, put this ugly incident behind us, and move forward together as one to unite our citizenry and rebuild our nation. We need a little more Aloha and less rancor, racism, and divisiveness in our communities. Let’s hope and pray that 2021 will bring a renewed sense of faith, hope, and optimism into the lives of all Americans.  ​

COVID-19 Case Count

The recent spike in new COVID-19 cases has caused renewed discussion regarding the need for further restrictions to mitigate spread of the virus around our state. While these new positive cases are concerning, data collected by the State Department of Health indicates that these new clusters are almost entirely driven by community spread. Moreover, the vast majority of travel-related cases are tied to Hawai'i residents who have recently visited the mainland and returned having been infected.

These findings were recently reiterated in the press by numerous elected officials including Mayor Victorino and Speaker Saiki. Even though several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and are already being distributed throughout our state, it is incumbent on each of us to stay the course, social distance, limit the size of our gatherings, and wear our masks. We cannot lose sight of the goal now.

I do commend Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi for not reacting to this recent spike in cases rashly and enacting further restrictions on our community. Thus far, he has indicated that no further restrictions are coming for O'ahu.

Statewide COVID-19 Policy

Speaker Saiki also recently appeared on the Honolulu Star-Advertiser's Spotlight Hawaii with House Majority Leader Della Au Belatti and covered a number of topics including the House's intention to introduce legislation that would enact a statewide travel policy. During the segment, he remarked that our economy is a statewide economy and that travel and tourism plays a large role in said economy. As such, having sole counties that have different rules, or opt out of the Safe Travels program entirely, is problematic and represents further obstacles that would turn away prospective travelers.

Recent polling of travelers on Kaua'i supports this sentiment. Upwards of 80% of respondents indicated that Kaua'i will not be competitive with the other islands in any scenario outside of the Safe Travels program. A similar number of people indicated that the Garden Isle's quarantine requirements would lead to them opting to travel elsewhere.

Speaker Saiki also indicated that the Legislature will be looking to pass legislation that would levy a fine against individuals who have defied COVID-19 mandates- much like a parking ticket. This is a concept that I proposed several months ago that would give the government the ability to enforce policies like mask mandates and limits on gathering size in a way that would encourage locals to wash their hands, wear their masks, and watch their distance.

I have long said that it is important for us as an industry to consistently sing from the same hymn book when it comes to policy. Now more than ever, we need to look at coalescing behind a single plan of action, and we should be open to reviewing and supporting Speaker Saiki's planned legislation that would help us to achieve this.

Mahalo,
​Mufi
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Stay in the know

    Keep up with HLTA through our blog! Let us know what you think in the comment box below each post.

    Archives

    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Hawai'i Lodging & Tourism Association.  All Rights Reserved.
2270 Kalākaua Ave, Suite 1702  |  Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: (808) 923-0407 | info@hawaiilodging.org
MemberClicks
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Chapters >
      • Oahu
      • Maui
      • Hawai'i
      • Kauai
    • HLTA's Committees >
      • Golf Tournament
      • Hospitality Housekeeping Council
      • Engineers Advisory Council
      • HLTA Engineers Council
      • HR Council
      • Government Affairs
      • HYPE
      • Membership
      • Hospitality IT Council
      • Women In Lodging & Tourism
    • Board of Directors
  • Membership
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Become a Member!
    • Testimonials
  • GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
    • Legislative Tracker
  • HTBCC
  • HLTA Initiatives
  • CHARITY WALK
  • Scholarships
  • #AlohaLater
  • Mākaukau
  • Health & Safety Standards
  • HLTA IN THE Media
  • Women In Lodging & Tourism