Mufi's Message - September 26, 2017

​Charity Walk:
HLTA officially culminated the 39th annual Charity Walk with the Oahu Grant Distribution Ceremony last Friday, September 22. Representatives from 128 charities gathered at the Ala Moana Hotel’s Hibiscus Room to receive their share of the funds that were distributed that morning. In addition to the ono breakfast, Lynette Eastman, General Manager of The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club and Aqua Waikiki Pearl, and her husband Bullah Eastman, Senior Director of Safety & Security at Aqua-Aston Hospitality, did a wonderful job of emceeing the event.

Several first-time participants made their mark as top fundraisers this year, including Youth for Christ USA and Hui O Momilani PTSO. Second year participant Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP) also made the ranks as one of the top fundraisers by a non-profit organization. As we stated at last year’s Charity Walk, we emphasized to the Oahu non-profit organizations that they would first be awarded the monies that they fundraised as a group, and could earn extra funds through their grant application, scope of work, and participation with the event through walkers and volunteers as determined by a grants committee consisting of members from the hospitality industry.

As we have touted before, the 39th annual Charity Walk was another record-breaking year, raising $2.27 million for 363 charities across the state. Since its inception, the Charity Walk has raised over $32 million. This year we introduced an online crowdfunding platform, and look forward to topping this year’s record yet again next year as we bring in the 40th annual Charity Walk.  

View photos from the Oahu Charity Walk Grant Distribution Ceremony on the HLTA blog here.

General Membership Meeting:
Mahalo to all of you who have registered for the 190th General Membership Meeting and reserved your rooms at Turtle Bay Resort. If you have not made your room reservations, Turtle Bay Resort has officially SOLD OUT of rooms. We recommend you book at the Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore in Laie.

There is still time to register for the GMM before the price increases to the late registration fee of $375. Events included in the GMM comprise of a Turtle Bay Resort tour on Thursday leading into a light welcome reception, a mini trade show on Friday showcasing our sponsors, a Friday evening get-together featuring an agricultural theme highlighting local food trucks, the all-important business session where we will be inducting our 2017-2018 officers and board of directors along with having an expert panel discussion on tourism sustainability, and a dinner on Saturday evening taking you back on a journey over the past 7 decades as we celebrate HLTA's 70th anniversary. Add-on events include the Friday Lunch & Learn that will spotlight  a government panel on how the hospitality industry can develop a stronger voice and presence  in government and the community, a special tour of the Polynesian Cultural Center on Saturday, and a golf scramble at Turtle Bay Resort's Fazio Course. Register for the GMM here.

Government Affairs:
I convened a meeting with several HLTA board members recently in an attempt to solidify our position on issues that we anticipate would be problematic for our industry and will command significant attention at the upcoming legislative session. Topics included the Transient Vacation Rentals, Airport Commission, Transient Accommodation Taxes, and the 2018 elections. Stay tuned for more details.