Mufi's Message - October 31, 2017

​Happy Halloween HLTA Members!
 
Halekulani awarded by Americans for the Arts
Every year, Americans for the Arts, through its Business Committee for the Arts (BCA) program, recognizes 10 businesses of all sizes for their exceptional involvement with the arts that enriches the workplace, education, and the community. These companies set the standard for excellence and serve as role models for others to follow. The honorees are celebrated each fall at the BCA 10: Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts in America gala in New York City.

For the very first time ever, a Hawaii hotel was recognized with this esteemed accolade this year at a gala on October 11.  Nominated by Hawai’i Arts Alliance, a statewide non-profit widely known for its advocacy for the arts, the historic Halekulani was awarded for its support of local and international arts and culture programs. Peter Shaindlin, Halekulani Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer attended the gala in New York to receive the award. Congratulations Peter! 

The full list of awardees included:
21c Museum Hotels (Louisville, KY)
Cardinal Health (Dublin, OH)
Guitar Center Inc. (Westlake Village, CA)
Halekulani Corporation (Honolulu, HI)
Houston Methodist (Houston, TX)
Humana Inc. (Louisville, KY)
Kaiser Permanente Colorado (Denver, CO)
Lincoln Financial Group (Radnor, PA)
Magic Hat Brewing Company (South Burlington, VT)
The Betsy-South Beach (Miami Beach, FL)

For more information on the “BCA 10: Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts” and the 2017 awardees, click here: https://www.americansforthearts.org/sites/default/files/pdf/2017/events/bca10/program_2017_final_rev920.pdf

NaHHA 20th Anniversary
Over the weekend HLTA attended a wonderful event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA) at the Royal Hawaiian’s Monarch Room. The event included thought-provoking addresses by John DeFries and John Aeto, a beautiful recognition of the organization’s founding members, and excellent entertainment by Amy Hanali’i, who gave us a preview of her new show to take place every Friday night at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Maui. To top it off, the Hawaiian-style menu was absolutely ‘ono. Congratulations to Executive Director Pohai Ryan and Office Manager Malia Sanders on an excellent event, and a successful 20 years of promoting Hawaiian culture, values, and traditions in our industry and ensuring that the legacy of Dr. George Kanahele and Senator Kenneth Brown lives on - Ku Kanaka! 
 
Airport Corporation 
Before he leaves officially for his new position in the Governor's Office as the Administrative Director, outgoing Department of Transportation Director Ford Fuchigami will be conducting a briefing and tour of the Daniel K. Inouye Airport for HLTA board members to solidify our support for a long overdue initiative. For the past two sessions, we and the Airlines Committee of Hawaii and other stakeholders have advocated for the passage of this measure to create such a corporation. We hope that what would emerge is a laser- like focus on all our state airports so that badly needed renovation, repairs and improvements can be completed on a more timely basis by the state. Let's hope the third times a charm in the upcoming 2018 session!