Mufi's Message, June 22nd

19th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament

​We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for our 19th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament, to be held at the Prince Golf Course on August 9th.

Education is one of the pillars of HLTA, and I believe that scholarships help to provide the future generation with opportunities they may otherwise not experience.
 
We continue to grant funds to a diverse group of students at both high school and post-secondary education institutions  over the course of the year. Last year, in commemoration of our 70th Anniversary, I was proud to introduce Active and Allied Scholarships in the amount of $2,500 each and three $1,000 Ho’okipa Scholarships to outstanding high school seniors in addition to the numerous other scholarships we facilitate annually.
 
In order to make these scholarships possible we are asking for sponsorships, team registrations, and prize donations. If you're interested in participating in our tournament, please click the link below.  If you have any questions, please contact Vice President Dean Nakasone at dnakasone@hawaiilodging.org

REGISTER HERE.

VASH 20th Anniversary

HLTA, in coordination with the Waikiki Improvement Association and Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii (VASH), co-hosted the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai'i's 20th Anniversary Reception on Wednesday, June 20th. 

As many of you know, the mission of VASH is “to share aloha with visitors who have been victims of a crime or other adversities, and to provide follow-up assistance and support in an effort to create a positive memory of their stay in our islands.”   

The partnership was an obvious one, as HLTA has played a major role in supporting VASH financially, through our Visitor Industry Charity Walk, and by serving on their Board of Directors.  Additionally, HLTA also works closely with the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's office in securing accommodations for visitors who return to provide testimony as victims or witnesses of crime during their stay.       

At the reception, Waikiki stakeholders including Honolulu Chief of Police Susan Ballard, Rick Fried, Chair of Hawaii Tourism Authority, Rick Egged, President of Waikiki Improvement Association, and myself commended VASH and their many volunteers for the admirable work that they do. Congratulations on twenty years of esteemed work... here's to twenty more!

Meeting with Governor Ige on Senate Bill 2699

This past Monday, a delegation of 11 visitor industry executives and stakeholders joined me in an important meeting with Governor David Ige.  The meeting was convened to discuss the industry’s strong opposition to Senate Bill 2699, which would have extremely negative implications for Hawai’i’s lodging industry.  As a refresher, SB2699 proposes to implement the 10.25% transient accommodations tax on “resort fees” - which is defined in the bill as any charge or surcharge imposed by an operator, owner, or representative thereof to a transient for the use of the transient accommodation's property, services, or amenities.

The meeting was productive, as we laid out our arguments and personally delivered to the Governor a petition letter signed by 1,900 members of the visitor industry statewide, urging his veto to this short-sighted  bill.

The Governor has until June 25th to issue his “intent to veto” list to the Hawaii State Legislature. Stay tuned as we keep you apprised of the measure’s impending outcome.

Gubernatorial Debate, July 2nd

The Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, in coordination with Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Waikiki Improvement Association, and Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9, are hosting this gubernatorial debate 

July 2nd, 10am-12pm 
Prince Waikiki
Pi'inaio Ballroom

Be an informed voter and come join us.

REGISTER HERE.