Mufi's Message, March 16th

HLTA & HHVISA Emergency Management Workshop
In the event of an emergency, preparation is imperative. While it is feasible to think that residents may have a plan in place, it is highly unlikely that visitors to our islands would have prepared themselves for a scenario like the January missile alert that left hundreds of thousands in sheer panic. That is why HLTA, in partnership with the Hawaii Hotel Visitor Industry Security Association (HHVISA), is hosting an emergency preparedness workshop at the Outrigger Ohana East on March 29th to address how the public can better equip themselves in the event that a missile attack threatens our shores.

The workshop will cover a couple of subject areas- one will be led by Jerry Dolak, Director of Security & Safety for Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and President of HHVISA, who will provide an emergency plan outlining the necessary procedures that properties and companies can implement when faced with the prospect of a nuclear missile attack while prioritizing the safety of our visitors and industry employees. The second will feature the City & County of Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management Director, Mel Kaku, whom was appointed to that position during my tenure as mayor when we created the department to replace the old Civil Defense agency . Kaku and his team will address the pre- and post-preparedness measures that the general public should be aware of in the case of a nuclear missile attack.

If you’re interested in attending this workshop, please contact Jared Higashi of my staff at [email protected]. Seating is limited. 
 
Visitor Public Safety Update
As a follow-up to our Visitor Public Safety Conference held on February 27th, we convened the first of many subsequent meetings to propose solutions on the lessons learned from our panel discussions and keynote speakers (for a full conference recap read Mufi’s Message: March 2, 2018 here).  The meeting was attended by the members of our conference steering committee where we discussed the “low hanging fruit” for each panel session and cited important follow up meetings with government officials and private sector businesses that we would like to convene. I have constantly reiterated that the most vital component of this conference , as we did with the Visitor Crime Solution Conference back in 1987 will be the follow up and follow through.

The following snapshot covers such initiatives deliberated by the steering committee which includes: bolstering HPD presence, increasing prison space to free up congestion in the courts system, installing more cameras, particularly in hotspots such as Lewers Street, implementing bollards to help with traffic and pedestrian safety, and creating an active approach to displaying address and street signage in the Waikiki special district.  Other action items include: addressing the necessity of cabaret licenses in the Waikiki district; the taking down of pedestrian walls along Kalakaua Avenue that attract unwanted activity; meeting with the City to discuss funding for youth and juvenile programs that have proven track records; supporting legislation that would require the Department of Education to plan for more alternative learning centers; and developing an education plan to encourage businesses and their employees to come forward and be more willing to assist in prosecuting crimes that occur at their establishments.  The Visitor Public Safety Conference will be an ongoing process as we seek to continue to fulfill our “checklist” of short and long-term solutions. We plan to to keep you informed and involved with the progress being made on the public safety front.    
 
Senate Bill 2393: Alternative Learning Centers
Alluded to in the above section, the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association has recently submitted support testimony for Senate Bill 2393 which would require the Department of Education to develop a comprehensive plan for alternative learning centers in each of the state’s school complex areas. This would help stem the increase in illegal youth and gang activity taking place in tourism targeted areas like Waikiki. 
The bill was heard on March 14th in the House committee on Education where it was passed with all present committee members in support.

The backing of this measure is a direct result of our conference’s panel discussion that focused on youth and juvenile reform. During the panel,  experts including First Circuit Family Court Judge Mark Browning, Colette Kajiwara, Coordinator of the alternative learning center Storefront School in Wahiawa, and Deborah Spencer-Chun, President and CEO of Adults Friends for Youth, called for more support for organized youth activities. Such support might include expanding mental health services for at-risk youth, addressing the problems of young people individually rather than in groups to avoid gang and peer pressure, and combating drug use.  As previously stated, our public safety follow-up initiatives include more collaborative efforts with government agencies to support and pass key legislation and SB 2393 presents a promising opportunity to steer our youth to more productive lifestyles.

The Bill now heads to the committee on Finance where we will continue to advocate for its passage.
Click here for more information on SB2393.
 
Get HIP with HLTA
 
We are pleased to announce that our upcoming HIP event will be at a new venue in April. Please join us in meeting our 3 new team members of HLTA at ABC Store’s BASALT restaurant @ Dukes Lane Market on Wednesday, April 4th from 5-7 pm. HIP, our Hospitality Industry Pau Hana, is a great opportunity to network and meet fellow members of the association. If you’re interested in attending, please click here to register.  Hope to see you there!
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