Mufi's Message - July 23

194th General Membership Meeting

Aloha,

HLTA's 194th General Membership Meeting is quickly approaching, and we are hard at work pulling together an amazing in-person event for you all. As a friendly reminder, the HLTA room block will expire on August 16th, and you cannot book your rooms until you have registered for GMM. So, please sign up as soon as possible.

Here are a couple other updates for your planning needs:

Thursday, October 14th Golf Outing
For the first time ever, the GMM golf outing will be played in a mini tournament format. Check-in will be held at the Blue Course at Wailea Golf Club and will run from noon through 12:30 p.m. and will be immediately followed by a shotgun start.  

Women In Lodging & Tourism
HLTA's WIL Committee will be hosting an event entitled "Mana Wahine". Scheduled for Thursday evening from 5:30 p.m. through 7:00 p.m., the evening will feature University of Hawai'i Maui College Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Dr. Debra A. Nakama and Seabury Hall Head of School Maureen O Madden as speakers to be followed by a reception.

Speaker Bios
As the vice chancellor of student affairs at University of Hawai'i Maui College, Dr. Debra A. Nakama oversees an array of student services, including curriculum development and teaching. While her focus is on ensuring student success at the college level, she recognizes that education requires a strong foundation and so has also endeavored to affect systemic changes within the K-20 years. Dr. Nakama writes about today’s most pressing educational issues on her blog, www.debranakama.com.  

Maureen O Madden is the Head of School at Seabury Hall in Maui. She has served in educational leadership roles for 24 years in public, independent, and international schools, most recently as the Director of the American School of Milan. She has a BA in English Literature and English Education and an MA in School Administration where she holds several certifications. She has served on School Accreditation Teams worldwide, supporting schools towards achieving their goals. Maureen lives on Maui with her husband Bruce, a former educator. She has a daughter on the East Coast who is an English Teacher and a daughter on the West Coast who is a professional chef and four amazing granddaughters. Those four little girls keep her focused upon the best on all aspects of education.

Maui Moratorium

On Tuesday, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino vetoed Bill 60 (2021) which was passed by the Maui County Council and would have placed a moratorium on the issuance of building permits for visitor accommodations in West and South Maui for the next two years.

This was a piece of legislation that we opposed, providing both written and oral testimony, and we commend Mayor Victorino for vetoing the bill. In comments regarding his veto, Maui County Managing Director Sandy Baz referenced the need for robust debate on the issue, stating that while, "the mayor appreciates the council’s intent and sentiment behind Bill 60, he believes it is more important for legislation to be effective and legal than for it to be fast. For these reasons, Mayor Victorino has decided to veto Bill 60."

Baz also echoed some of my sentiments that restricting the number of lodging options for visitors will likely force them to increasingly utilize short-term vacation rentals- both legal and illegal. This is an issue that continues to trouble Maui residents and is something about which we have been especially vocal.

Aloha!

Pictured above from left are Waikiki Resort General Manager Glenn Vergara, Aqua-Aston Hospitality Director of Owner Relations Kyoko Kimura, Lt. Governor Josh Green, Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas General Manager Denise Wardlow, HLTA President & CEO Mufi Hannemann, and Napili Kai Beach Resort General Manager Gregg Nelson at HLTA's General Membership Meeting in 2018.

I would like to give a special shoutout to Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas General Manager Denise Wardlow who has officially retired after more than 35 years in the hospitality industry. Denise has been a steadfast and active association member who participated in all aspects of HLTA operations from heading our Kauai HLTA Chapter to the Charity Walk to government affairs. She is a founding member of the Women In Lodging & Tourism Committee and supported the next generation of industry leaders as a mentor in our Generational Mentoring Program. There was never a task too difficult for Denise, and she's never failed to follow through on an initiative, especially those that pertained to the Garden Island.

When Denise and I first met, she actually let me know that she had watched me play basketball against her alma mater Roosevelt High School, and I knew then that as hoops fans we would get along famously 😊. Best wishes for a relaxing and happy retirement, Denise! We truly appreciated your continued support of the association over the years.

From left, HLTA Chairperson Cheryl Williams, Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas General Manager Denise Wardlow, Marriott Vacations Worldwide Market General Manager Angela Nolan, and HLTA President & CEO Mufi Hannemann at a Pacific Edge Magazine event in 2015 where Denise was recognized.

Mahalo,
​Mufi