While the traditions of lei are perpetuated year-round, on May 1 we commemorate Lei Day with celebrations honoring the artistry of Hawai‘i’s finest lei makers.

“May Day has been and will always be an opportunity to celebrate who we are by honoring where we are,” says HTA Chief Brand Officer Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā. “Our community, natural resources and Hawaiian culture come together to remind us of the special place we call home, much like the process of making a lei and what it represents once completed.”

May Day celebrations this year supported by our HTA Community Enrichment program include Hawaiian Airlines May Day 2022, presented by the Hawaiian Islands, a special concert experience headlined by Robert Cazimero with 17-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning group Keauhou alongside special guests. The concert will premiere on KFVE and via Facebook Live, supported by Kāhuli Leo Le‘a and various partnering organizations. On Hawai‘i Island, Volcano Art Center will honor the crafting and giving of lei by recognizing May as Mele and Lei Month, hosting several events and activities for residents and visitors.

As a part of HTA’s Kūkulu Ola program, the City and County of Honolulu’s Lei Day Celebration will return to its Kapi‘olani Park home grounds for the first time since 2019. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Lei Wao Nahele” (Forest Lei). In addition to Hawaiian entertainment, demonstrations and exhibits, the event will feature a lei-contest exhibit showcasing lei exquisitely crafted using a variety of colors and methods.

The 35th Meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts and Culture (CPAC) met virtually on April 13 and 14 to discuss ways the council will invest in, nurture and support the work of culture in national and regional development plans and priorities. Representing Hawaiʻi at the meeting were Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) 2024 Director Aaron Salā, Royal Hawaiian Center Cultural Director Monte McComber and HTA Chief Brand Officer Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā. Kalani, who was also chair for this year’s meeting, opened with Oli Aloha as a reminder of the crucial work being done by the council and that aloha will continue to guide the way, especially as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. To close the meeting, a mele written by Kalani for his ʻāina of Kailua, representing who we are and where we come from as indigenous people, was presented. Also in closing, Aaron gave an overview of the upcoming Hawai‘i-hosted FestPAC and Monte shared how the festival’s Youth Ambassador Program will tie into the festivities and theme.

Shared Aaron, “The 13th FestPAC’s theme is ‘Hoʻoulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania.’ Literally, hoʻoulu lāhui means to grow the nation. It served as the motto for the reign of King David Laʻamea Kalākaua, who ruled as sovereign of the nation of Hawaiʻi between 1874 and 1891. In reflection, Kalākaua took the throne in the face of immense challenge. Hoʻoulu lāhui, therefore, served as both an aspiration and command. The king saw fit to assure both the survival of the people of his nation as well as the cultural practice indellibly linked to the identity thereof. Hoʻoulu lāhui then challenges us to continually aspire to the grace and splendor of our ancestors. ‘Regenerating Oceania’ asks us to reflect on the capacity and, indeed, the ability for the people of our sea of islands to thrive and to flourish in the 21st century and beyond.”

Building a resilient tourism workforce and energizing Hawai‘i’s youth about career opportunities here at home is an essential component of HTA’s Community pillar. On April 5, the HTA team joined ClimbHI at the Hawai‘i Convention Center to kick-off the 10th annual Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration (LEI) workforce development program, aimed at inspiring intermediate, high school and college students to consider careers in the hospitality industry. Tourism leaders like HTA's President and CEO John De Fries joined in the discussion with students.

University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu student and current HTA intern Māhealani Daclison shared that her experience at the event confirmed her career path in tourism.

“My involvement with the LEI Program allowed me to connect with some of the participating companies on behalf of HTA, which reassured me of the fact that there are many options in the tourism industry and that each career within the industry impacts (another). It was also nice to see other students engaging in the resources available, including our booth for HTA.”

Throughout April, more than 1,000 students engaged with over 100 visitor industry members to gain firsthand exposure of a diversity of hospitality career opportunities on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island. HTA continues to support the work of ClimbHI and the positive impacts it has on our youth.

Implementation of HTA’s three-year Destination Management Action Plans (DMAPs) is continuing in partnership with Hawai‘i’s four counties, the Island Chapters, fellow state agencies, community partners and industry stakeholders on each island. Further emphasizing their commitment to moving DMAP actions forward, County of Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami, City and County of Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, County of Maui Mayor Mike Victorino and County of Hawai‘i Mayor Mitch Roth each signed a Memorandum of Understanding identifying the partnership between HTA and their respective counties in implementing the DMAPs.

HTA Chief Brand Officer Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā and Transform Hawai‘i Government (THG) Executive Director Christine Sakuda recently discussed the important role technology plays in our efforts to manage tourism impacts and create positive change through a regenerative approach. Click on the Digital Talk Story below to watch Kalani share how data-driven actions are part of HTA’s kuleana to Mālama Ku‘u Home (“care for my beloved home”) in Hawaiʻi and foster a circular economy benefitting our natural resources and community.

Through HTA’s Aloha ‘Āina program, we are proud to reinvest funding support directly into community-based entities and help move Hawai‘i toward achieving its Aloha+ Challenge goals in the areas of natural resource management and conservation. This month, we are spotlighting Aloha ‘Āina awardee Lāna‘i Culture and Heritage Center for its Lāna‘i Biocultural Landscape Program, which seeks to help the island’s community and students learn about the biocultural landscape of their home island through a series of educational workshops culminating in a special event. Program participants learn about the history of Lāna‘i’s landscape, ongoing conservation and restoration initiatives, and how they can get involved. For more information, visit www.lanaichc.org.

In celebration of the U.S. Travel Association’s Travel and Tourism Week, set for May 1-7, HTA encourages our visitor industry and community partners to take part in the #FutureOfTravel by engaging in the week’s online conversation and sharing HTA's social posts

Hawaiʻi deserves a holistic, regenerative approach to tourism that uplifts community voices, reciprocates Mālama Ku‘u Home, perpetuates our culture, restores our natural resources, and provides meaningful economic benefits – which is where we’re headed. We invite you to join us.

Hawai‘i Tourism USA