Mufi's Message - July 2, 2021

Hilo Food Distribution

Aloha,
​
Yesterday, we partnered with Hawai‘i County Mayor Mitch Roth and KTA Super Stores to host our final #AlohaLater food distribution event at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. For the first time, we provided an incentive for those who either had already vaccinated or signed up to get vaccinated on site. In total, more than 300 KTA gift cards worth $50 each were given away to vaccinated hospitality workers!

It was a great event, and I want to thank everyone who helped to make it possible. Mahalo especially to Mayor Roth and his administration, KTA Super Stores President and COO Toby Taniguchi, Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, the Grand Naniloa Resort, Mālama Iā Hawai‘i, and Community First Hawai'i.

This marks the end of the #AlohaLater campaign, and I am so grateful for the support we have received over the past year. Through the generosity of everybody from those who purchased wristbands to our industry partners, we were able to assist thousands of local hospitality workers and their families in their time of need. None of this would have been possible without the kōkua of all.

HB 862 Veto

Yesterday, I sent a co-signed letter to members of the Legislature outlining our disagreements with HB 862, urging them to vote to sustain Gov. Ige's veto. As you may recall, HLTA previously sent a letter to Gov. Ige asking him to veto this measure. The original letter, which was signed by 35 entities from around our state including nonprofits, labor unions, trade associations, and members of the tourism industry, helped move the needle on this issue. This most recent letter was co-signed by 37 organizations in total that represent a similarly diverse cross-section of our entire economy.

As you know, Gov. Ige included HB 862 in his list of intended vetoes. With just days until the official veto deadline, we have been hard at work preparing for the eventual special legislative session and an expected override vote. While nothing is certain, we will continue our full-court press to secure the needed votes on July 6.

Mahalo to the organizations that joined me in signing our letter to the Legislature:

• Activities & Attractions Association of Hawai'i
• Alaska Airlines
• Aloha Festivals
• American Resort Development Association
• Chamber of Commerce Hawai'i
• Chinese Chamber of Commerce Foundation
• Filipino Chamber of Commerce
• Hawai‘i Chinese Association
• Hawai‘i Hotel & Visitor Industry Security Association
• Hawai'i Korean Chamber of Commerce
• Hawai‘i Speed and Quickness Camp
• Hawai'i Passenger and Property Carriers Association
• Hawai'i Restaurant Association
• Hawai'i Teamsters Local 996
• Hawai'i Transportation Association
• HLTA Hawai'i Island Chapter
• HLTA Kaua‘i Chapter
• HLTA O'ahu Chapter                                    
• Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce
• ʻĪlioʻulokalani Coalition
• ILWU Local 142
• Iron Workers Stabilization Fund
• Japan Hawai‘i Travel Association
• JTB Hawai‘i
• Kaua'i Chamber of Commerce
• Kohala Coast Resort Association
• Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce
• Maui Chamber of Commerce
• Maui Hotel & Lodging Association
• Mu'olaulani - Hālau Hula Ka No'eau
• Pacific Rim Concepts
• Retail Merchants of Hawai'i
• Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai‘i
• Waikiki Business Improvement District Association
• Waikiki Improvement Association
• Waikiki Neighborhood Board​
  

Mahalo,
​Mufi