Mufi's Message - November 19, 2021

Charity Walk

Aloha,

With the fundraising portion of Charity Walk completed and the total amounts tallied, we turn our attention to our favorite part of the process: giving out grants. The next several weeks will see the Charity Walk monies in each county be distributed to local nonprofits, charities, and other organizations to support their missions. With more than $2 million raised across the state, monies will be awarded to roughly 200 groups who fundraised and participated in this year's virtual event. I have personally received many complements and kudos for the amazing results of our association‘s signature charitable fundraising event. ​

Allocation Event Schedule
Kaua'i: December 2, 2021 @ Keoki’s Paradise
O'ahu: November 23, 2021 @ Prince Waikiki
Maui: November 22, 2021 @ Maui Beach Hotel
Hawai'i Island: TBD

Mahalo to all who helped to make our first-ever, virtual Charity Walk so successful. Let me again commend Statewide Chair Thomas Foti and our VICW chapter chairs for their creativity and hustle. Kudos to Beres Wall on Kaua'i, Simeon Miranda on O'ahu, Chris Rabang on Maui, and Simon Amos over on Hawai'i Island. These individuals, their Charity Walk coordinators, and so many of our members and volunteers dug deep or went above and beyond in creating new events and promotions, and their efforts were really evident when the final totals were calculated.

Buffet Restrictions

In Honolulu, self-service food options—such as buffets—remain restricted, and this has created various issues which have been raised by our members. In an effort to have these restrictions reconsidered, I issued a letter to Mayor Blangiardi explaining how this impacts many of our food establishments who rely on a self-service option, how other jurisdictions are handling it, how it can be done safely, and requesting his consideration in easing the existing restrictions by petitioning the State to support and amend the current restrictions. The topic was also raised in our regular Industry Update with the mayor earlier this week during which he expressed empathy and support for our stance. 

Looking further into the matter, we were able to identify some locations on O'ahu that have been successfully operating self-service buffets with zero incidence of COVID-19 infections. I am extremely optimistic that the administration will be allowing self-service dining options to resume soon. ​

Allied Member Drive

This year, we've spent considerable time reinvigorating our HLTA Membership Committee, a very critical committee of our association. In early discussions, it was established that the core objective for the year would be to place a laser-like focus on cultivating new Allied members. Under the leadership of co-chairs Robin Kennedy-Oshio, Glenn Nakamura, and Glenn Vergara, the committee has successfully converted 60 new members to date and has also greatly assisted in Allied member retention and re-enrollment.

As we close in on year-end, we are making one final push to get new members to sign up in time to be included in our upcoming HLTA membership pictorial directory—a key member benefit and resource. If you can think of any businesses or individuals who would benefit from joining HLTA, please either direct them to our Membership page or have them contact Glenn Nakamura or Robin for more info!

Have a great and safe weekend,
​Mufi