Last month we introduced Makaliʻi to reflect on the past year and prepare for the year ahead, and recent events have led us to shift with the seasons. The Maunaloa eruption reminded us that ʻāina (land) is still our aliʻi (chief) and that we, therefore, have kuleana to mālama this place. Shark attacks bring light to our shared resources, commitment to safety and mālama in the sense of our personal relationships. Severe weather helps show us the importance of coming together to provide aid to those in need. On the ground, we are moved by the temperature changes in our community and meeting the needs of Hawaiʻi’s people. These are the things that keep us grounded in the work that we do, like our King Kamehameha V, in the practices of the kūpuna of this place that led before us and for the betterment of all of Hawaiʻi today and well into the future. Learn more about King Kamehameha V later in this issue as well as the work that is being done to live in his legacy.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority held its Hawai‘i Tourism Conference 2022 Presented by Hawaiian Airlines at the Hawai‘i Convention Center on December 8 and 9. More than 500 attendees comprised of visitor industry leaders, legislators, dignitaries and community members participated in this year’s conference, which entailed networking opportunities and nine educational sessions focused on destination management efforts, Hawai‘i’s regenerative tourism future, and Hawaiian culture. HTA and its Global Marketing Team provided updates on international air access, the cruise industry, global meetings, conventions and incentives (MCI), and Hawai‘i’s key visitor source markets – U.S., Japan, Canada, Oceania, Korea, and China.

During the Tourism Legacy Awards luncheon, which was centered around the theme of mālama, HTA recognized three notable individuals and organizations for how their work contributes to the betterment of us all: Senator Kenneth Brown, posthumously as the co-founder of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association and author of “The Mālama Ethic in Planning for Hawaiʻi’s Future”; Ernie Lau, manager and chief engineer of the Board of Water Supply; and Kuaʻāina Ulu ‘Auamo, a non-profit community-based organization who lead the 2022 Year of the Limu initiative.

Hands-on cultural workshops were also held during the conference in the Ho‘okipa Exhibitor Showcase by Keoua Nelson, a sixth generational lauhala practitioner and weaver from Nāpo‘opo‘o, Mele Kahalepuna Chun who began learning pua hulu (Hawaiian feather work) from the age of five, and Nalu Andrade of Na Maka Kahiko who taught attendees about ‘ohe kāpala (hand-carved bamboo stamping).

Mahalo to everyone who supported this year’s conference. Click here to view the presentation slides. We look forward to seeing you next year!

Created by Hawai‘i nonprofit KUPU, the Hawaiʻi Youth Conservation Corps (HYCC) program is aiming to recruit, train and engage more than 120 young adults in actions supporting the preservation and protection of natural resources on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui, the island of Hawai‘i and Moloka‘i. HYCC program activities will help remove invasive species, restore native plant and animal habitats, maintain trails, manage erosion and preserve native Hawaiian cultural sites, all while enriching the lives of participants and fostering their resource-protection skills. Click here for more information or to apply for HYCC’s 2023 summer program and to learn more about KUPU.

Leading up to the Hawai‘i Tourism Conference, HTA staff and the Global Marketing Team spent a day in the ahupua‘a of He‘eia volunteering their time with nonprofit organization Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi. Thirty-eight team members met with Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi Executive Director Kanekoa Kukea Shultz who shared about their early beginnings and longstanding commitment to restoring agricultural and ecological productivity to nearly 405 acres of wetlands ensuring this wahi pana is preserved for generations to come. The team worked in the lo‘i to huki kalo and harvest lau, and also helped to clear invasive mangroves near the coastline. Learn more about Aloha ‘Āina program awardee Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi here.

Lota Kapuāiwa Kalanimakua Aliʻiōlani Kalanikupuapaʻīkalaninui, later known as Kamehameha V, was born on December 11, 1830 and passed on December 11, 1872. During his reign Kamehameha V saw increased travel to Hawaiʻi and, as a well-traveled man, knew who he was and where he came from which drove a lot of his decision-making for the greater good of Hawaiʻi. He was described by Mark Twain as a wise sovereign; having seen something of the world; educated and accomplished, and that he tried hard to do well by his people... and succeeded. He stood beside his people and was trusted — his motto: "Onipaʻa". Immovable, firm, steadfast or determined; describing his endless efforts to revitalize traditional Hawaiian practices among and for his people. That was his legacy, having provided Hawaiʻi the access to knowledge that would allow us to thrive and what we do with it live beyond any of us because it is Hawaiʻi. In his honor, we recognize the Royal Order of Kamehameha and celebrate Prince Lot Hula Festival, which is an event that HTA supports under its Community Enrichment Program. E ola ka inoa ʻo Lota Kapuāiwa Kalanimakua Aliʻiōlani Kalanikupuapaʻīkalaninui — Kamehameha V. E ʻonipaʻa kākou! Let us remain steadfast in his name and honor.

Rooted on O‘ahu’s leeward coast, the Ulu Aʻe Learning Center delivers culture- and place-based education to keiki and families of Honouliuli. The organization’s Ulu Aʻe Kaiāulu Project is working to strengthen the community’s knowledge of its history and culture via a trio of programs aimed at building skills, knowledge and stewardship within the community. The three programs — the Puʻuokapolei Stewardship Program, ʻIke Kuʻuna Workshop series and Noʻeau Learning Box Delivery Service — perpetuate Hawaiʻi’s cultural and natural resources and build capacity for the continued preservation of Hawaiian culture for future generations. Learn more about the Ulu Aʻe Learning Center here.

Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau, in partnership with Raw Elements, the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Maui County Parks and Recreation, Pūlama Lāna‘i, Whalers Village, and several community-based organizations, is providing 20 mineral-only sunscreen dispensers at highly visited beaches in Maui County. A special ceremony was held on December 12 at Whalers Village to commemorate the initiative, which supports destination management efforts and the Maui County Council Ordinance outlawing the usage of non-mineral sunscreens to help protect ocean eco-systems and marine life. Learn more in this Maui Now article.

As part of our destination management efforts, HTA is proud to support Hawai‘i’s small business owners, entrepreneurs, artists and crafters. Caroline Anderson, HTA director of planning, spoke with Hawai‘i News Now reporter Lacy Deniz in this HI Now segment about the collaborative efforts to support the people of Kaua‘i and encourage visitors to shop local, such as at the Alakoko Store in Līhu‘e. Learn more about the community-based, nonprofit organization Alakoko here.

Leading up to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference, HTA staff and the Global Marketing Team spent a day in the ahupuaʻa of Heʻeia volunteering their time with nonprofit organization Kākoʻo ‘Ōiwi. Thirty-eight team members met with Kākoʻo ‘Ōiwi Executive Director Kānekoa Kūkea Shultz who shared about their early beginnings and longstanding commitment to restoring agricultural and ecological productivity to nearly 405 acres of wetlands ensuring this wahi pana is preserved for generations to come. The team worked in the loʻi to huki kalo and harvest lau, and also helped to clear invasive mangroves near the coastline. Learn more about Aloha ‘Āina program awardee Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi here.

Meet Hawai‘i was recently recognized by Meetings Today in its annual Best Of Awards as one of the Best West CVBs/DMOs. The award category annually recognizes the world’s top convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs), destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and meeting facilities.

“This prestigious award reinforces Hawai‘i as a world-class meetings, convention and incentive destination for attendees and business travelers,” said John Reyes, Meet Hawai‘i’s senior vice president and chief MCI sales officer. “With an intimate understanding of client needs and insider knowledge about the nuances of hosting events in the Hawaiian Islands, our experienced Meet Hawai‘i team is an invaluable resource for meeting planners to execute their event successfully.”

Winners were selected by Meetings Today's audience and content team via voting. Criteria for voting ranged from quality of meeting space, guest rooms, guest services and amenities, food and beverage service, efficiency and helpfulness of staff, availability and quality of tech, recreational facilities and activities, cleanliness and COVID-19 protocols, and overall value and experience. Click here to see all of Meetings Today’s 2022 Best of Awards winners.

The American Medical Association (AMA) held its 2022 House of Delegates Meeting at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, November 12-15, drawing more than 2,500 domestic delegates and creating more than $20 million in estimated economic impact to Hawai‘i. The meeting brought with it valuable networking and educational opportunities to Hawai‘i’s medical community. Medical conventions such as AMA’s are valuable to Hawaiʻi, keeping our medical community current on important health and medical practices ultimately benefiting our residents.

The Hawaiʻi Medical Association (HMA) contributed to the success of the national organization’s House of Delegates Meeting by holding its own meeting events in conjunction with the AMA program and strongly encouraging its Hawai‘i members to attend the national meeting. Acknowledging HMA’s important role with AMA, Meet Hawai‘i supported HMAʻs Annual Fundraiser Event, which was also well attended by key AMA delegates. Meet Hawaiʻi is now actively bidding on AMA’s 2027 House of Delegates Meeting.

Meet Hawai‘i and a contingent of Hawai‘i partners participated in the Financial Insurance Conference Planner’s Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, November 13-16. The event brought together more than 250 financial and insurance meeting planners and 325 hospitality partners with a common focus on moving the industry forward together with best practices.

This year’s theme — “Creating a New History” — invited attendees to engage in educational breakout sessions relevant to how all of us meet, travel and build relationships across generations leading to more purposeful, responsible experiences at conferences, incentives programs and during individual travel. Meet Hawai‘i shared our destination’s dedicated focus on traveling responsibly and was pleased to hear most, if not all, key companies shared the same goal. Moving forward, destinations committed to responsible travel will always be the preferred options for travel.

Attending the meeting were representatives from Fairmont Orchid Hawai‘i and Fairmont Kea Lani, MC&A, Hilton Waikoloa Village and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Resort, Westin Hāpuna Beach Resort and Mauna Kea Resort, Mauna Lani Auberge Resorts Collection, Island Style Innovations, Hyatt Hawai‘i, Ritz-Carlton Maui Kapalua, Four Seasons Resorts Hawai‘i, Island Partners Hawai‘i, and Meet Hawai‘i.

Hawai‘i Tourism USA

Representatives from Hawai‘i Tourism USA (HTUSA) and the Island Chapters attended the Signature Travel Network Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 8-11. A member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative organization, Signature represents travel professionals across 470 retail travel locations in the U.S. and Canada, and 176 international member locations. HTUSA’s sponsorship of the conference included a destination workshop attended by 175 travel advisors spotlighting destination management, Mālama Hawai‘i and individual island updates, and offered an overview of travel advisor resources. The team conducted 144 appointments during the conference, reaching 342 advisors, and engaged with 1,195 attendees during its two-day trade show.

On December 5, former Director and Head of the Purchasing Agency for the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Mike McCartney rescinded and cancelled the June 22 award for HTA RFP 22-01: Hawai‘i Destination Brand Marketing & Management Services for the United States Major Market Area.

In accordance with Hawai‘i’s public procurement code, and as guided by the HTA Board of Directors, HTA will soon begin the process of issuing two new Requests for Proposals (RFPs) — one focused on branding and the other focused on destination management. More information will be forthcoming.

Meanwhile, the HTA Board also approved the extension of the current Island Chapter Support Services, Global Support Services, and U.S. Leisure Marketing contracts through June 30, 2023, subject to approval from the State Procurement Office (SPO). HTA has submitted these extension requests to SPO.

Hawai‘i Tourism Japan’s (HTJ) Japan Mission was held from November 15-18, with a schedule including a courtesy visit with seven major air carriers and travel agencies, a seminar for key travel agencies, a mahalo reception for VIPs, and a media luncheon. The week’s events included updates from each of the Island Chapters and airline and travel agencies shared their 2023 travel recovery guidelines and product development updates incorporating Mālama Hawaiʻi efforts.

The return of the Japan Mission after a three-year COVID-19 pandemic hiatus drew 204 seminar participants and 291 reception participants. The mahalo reception attracted the most guests of any Japan Mission event, a positive sign of Hawaiʻi’s excellent positioning as overseas travel resumes and recovers. The Island Chapters and Meet Hawaiʻi collaboratively offered educational presentations on Mālama Hawaiʻi, regenerative tourism initiatives, updates from each island and Destination Management Action Plan progress.

The Japan Mission’s media luncheon at the Palace Hotel Tokyo attracted 68 media representatives who had featured or were planning to feature Hawai‘i, connecting them with 28 stakeholders from 23 companies, as well as Island Chapter and HTA representatives. HTJ presented Hawaiʻi updates and panel discussions with the Island Chapters sharing recommendations for future coverage and Mālama Hawaiʻi initiatives.

Major travel agencies are continuing to strengthen their in-house education through local training in Hawaiʻi. HTJ recently collaborated with Japan-based travel agencies to ensure Mālama Hawaiʻi experience programs were included in their familiarization (FAM) trips. Travel agency HIS, which is selling the first Mālama Hawaiʻi Tour, sent its first 10 cohorts to O‘ahu and Maui this month to become Hawaiʻi trainers. HTJ assisted with arranging Mālama Hawaiʻi related experiences for the FAMs— makai at beach cleanups and just mauka of that with cleaning loʻi kalo (irrigated taro terrace) — which they recently did. HTJ also supported a FAM for a 15-member cohort from JTB, November 9-13, and coordinated a Mālama Hawaiʻi experience in the loʻi kalo with He‘eia restoration nonprofit Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi. Attendees were immersed in mud and the Hawaiian culture.

HTJ conducted an Instagram Live event during the Made in Hawaiʻi Festival in November to introduce festival vendors and have them discuss their products and where viewers could purchase them. HTJ also conducted a campaign asking viewers to post their thoughts about made-in-Hawaiʻi products. Many commented they were either looking forward to or are still hoping to visit Hawaiʻi and purchase made in Hawaiʻi products. The live stream gained a 45,480 reach and 59,521 impressions. HTJ also published information on made-in-Hawaiʻi-related events, products and artisans on its portal site, allhawaii, and on its social media accounts.

Hawai‘i Tourism Canada’s (HTCAN) hosted a group media FAM trip on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, November 2-9, with a theme of “Culinary & Culture.” Four journalists representing Toronto and Western Canada media took part in the FAM. Coverage is expected in the Vancouver Sun, Zoomer, Vacay.ca, West of the City, Foodism, and Faze.

HTCAN’s itinerary for the FAM highlighted Hawaiian culture and the Mālama Hawai‘i program. The journalists participated in Kualoa Ranch’s Mālama Hawai‘i experience, spending an afternoon working in a lo‘i kalo and learning about the many ways visitors can mālama while visiting the Hawaiian Islands. The group also visited ‘Iolani Palace and the Kaua‘i Museum.

Another focus of the FAM was showcasing the best of Hawai‘i’s culinary scene. The group was invited to two Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival events while on O‘ahu and met with participating Hawai‘i and international chefs. On Kaua‘i, the group sampled tasty local cuisine on a walking food tour of Hanalei and at a Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort lū‘au.

HTCAN launched a virtual platform at the end of its recent Aloha Canada 2022 event offering travel advisors access to Hawai‘i informational material. The platform has proven an immediate success, with travel advisors across the country registering and logging in to watch its series of training videos, find updates on each of the Hawaiian Islands, and download promotional material. All travel advisors registering with the platform are automatically entered into a contest to win a prize. The platform also encourages travel advisors to spread the Mālama Hawai‘i message by speaking to their clients about volunteer opportunities in the Islands — including beach cleanups and native-tree planting — with several nonprofit and community organizations. By the end of November, 112 agents had registered on the platform.

From Nov 5 to 12, Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania (HTO) welcomed five media representatives to Maui and Kaua‘i, showcasing the Hawaiian Islands as a perfect wedding and honeymoon destination. The group stayed at Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa and, on Maui, at Wailea Beach Resort. Their activities included a Kaua‘i air tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, a Nāpali Coast sunset cruise with Holo Holo Charters, tours of Kaua‘i Museum and National Tropical Botanical Garden’s McBryde and Allerton gardens, a farm-to-table dinner at Timbers Kaua‘i Ocean Club and Residences, a tour of Upcountry Maui, and stargazing at Haleakalā National Park.

Writer Molly Floyd of the New Zealand Herald put together an online feature after participating in a September trip to O‘ahu with New Zealand nonprofit Sea Cleaners. The organization’s mission includes generating public awareness of the fragility of the ocean. Floyd’s New Zealand Herald feature, “Sustainable Travel in Hawai‘i: Sea Cleaners Help to Rid the Pacific of Plastic,” was published in November. HTO also assisted radio broadcaster Chris Smith, of Sydney, Australia-based 2GB 873 AM, in coordinating a helicopter tour of Maunaloa volcano on the island of Hawai‘i — an alternative view of the recent eruption that helps move traffic off the mountain.

The HTO team attended TravelManagers Market Days in Brisbane, November 18, and Sydney, November 28, which drew more than 60 personal travel managers to meet with and get one-on-one updates from travel suppliers across Australia. As one of the country’s key mobile travel agencies, TravelManagers is on track for a strong 2022 finish having reached another record sales month for the year in November.

Hawai‘i Tourism Korea (HTK), in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, organized an individual media trip for a team from Korea-based Bar and Dining magazine spotlighting the best of Hawai‘i culinary offerings and the Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival (HFWF). With support for the trip from HFWF and participating festival hotels Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach and Halekūlani, an editor and photographer from Bar and Dining visited O‘ahu, November 2-6, and participated in multiple HFWF programs.

The result of their visit was a 20-page feature for the magazine’s December 2022 issue and five social media postings, all generating an estimated total PR value of $120,000. The feature’s articles included interviews with HFWF CEO Denise Yamaguchi, Chef Masaharu Morimoto of Morimoto Asia Waikīkī, Chef Andrew Le of The Pig and The Lady, Chef Esther Choi of MŎKBAR and Chef Robynne Mai of Fete. The feature also included Kaka‘ako Farmers Market, ‘Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Hawai‘i Theatre and Waimea Valley.

HTK held its 2022 Hawai‘i Travel Mission on November 21 and 22 at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, offering multiple opportunities for Hawai‘i industry partners and leading Korea travel agents to connect. The mission schedule opened with a Korea market overview and briefing for Hawai’i industry partners, followed by a Hawai‘i destination seminar, one-on-one Hawai‘i travel mart and a VIP lunch reception. HTK gave a destination update and overview of the Mālama Hawai‘i campaign at the destination seminar. The Island Chapters introduced the audience to their respective islands and 18 Hawai‘i industry partners presented updates. A total 62 key Korean trade partners from airlines, wholesalers, online travel agencies and trade media participated in the seminar.

At the following day’s VIP lunch reception, HTK presented the Mālama Hawai‘i campaign and screened a video clip highlighting its branding activities. HTK also invited star television producer and director Na Yeong-seok as a surprise guest to share his Hawai‘i travel experiences as he had visited Hawai‘i with friends earlier this year. The Hawai‘i Travel Mission also included performances by hula dancers and musicians from Hōkūaulani Productions.

HTA Chief Brand Officer Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā gave interviews with media from Korea Travel Times and Digital Chosun Ilbo. HTK and Kalani also made sales call visits to Korean Air and Asiana Airlines to hear updates on the recovery of their Honolulu routes, passenger patterns, flight schedules, load factors and advance bookings. Kalani also met with Seoul Tourism Association President Yang Moo-seung. A total 13 articles — including the two interviews with Kalani — were published following the travel mission.

Hawai‘i Tourism China will host an exhibition showcasing Hawaiʻi as a destination of choice — spotlighting the state’s golf courses and travel resources — to members of the Shanghai Tianma Country Golf Club (TCGC) during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. TCGC is one of China’s most prestigious golf clubs, with more than 1,000 high net-worth individual members. The golf club will also offer unique Hawaiʻi golf package itineraries to their members as a benefit in 2023.