Chris Tatum Named President and CEO of HTA
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Following a four-month search and review of more than 100 candidates, the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s board of directors has appointed tourism executive Chris Tatum as its new president and CEO.
Currently the area general manager for Marriott Resorts Hawaii, Tatum is retiring from a 37-year career at Marriott to lead HTA.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a difference in my home by developing a sustainable brand strategy that enhances the visitor’s experience, while preserving our way of life.”
Tatum moved to Hawaii as a youth and graduated from Radford High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in hotel and restaurant management from Michigan State University in 1981. He then began his career with Marriott and over the years has become established as a proven leader and accomplished tourism executive.
One of his proudest accolades was earning a Legacy in Tourism Award in 2015 from the University of Hawaii’s School of Travel Industry Management for his leadership of tourism.
Tatum expects to begin work at HTA by the end of December.
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Kahilu Theatre was founded in the 1970s on the island of Hawaii by Richard Smart, owner of Parker Ranch. During his youth, Richard developed a love for theater, drama and music. After the passing of his parents, he left Hawaii for New York to pursue a career on Broadway where he performed for nearly three decades.
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Richard eventually returned to Waimea and decided to build a theater in his hometown. He named it Kahilu in honor of his mother, Thelma Kahiluonapuaapiilani Parker.
Today, the theatre continues its mission of serving the community through music and the arts.
The Kahilu Theatre presenting season runs annually from September through June, with a summer preseason happening from July through August. The 2018-19 season features performances by renowned Hawaii musicians, including Kalani Pea, Henry Kapono and Keola Beamer, Nathan Aweau, Robert Cazimero and much more.
For a complete list of shows being held during the upcoming season, visit
http://kahilutheatre.org/shows.
HTA is proud to support these performances through its Community Enrichment Program.
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Lot Kapuaiwa - Kamehameha V
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Born on December 11, 1830, Lot Kapuaiwa, who reigned as Kamehameha V, was the grandson of Kamehameha I and fifth monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii. His reign began on November 30, 1863, after the death of his brother Alexander Liholiho, Kamehameha IV.
Remembered as Hawaii’s “last great traditional chief,” Kamehameha V refused to uphold the Constitution of 1852, which forced the king to share the power of the monarchy with a legislative body. On August 20, 1864, Kamehameha V signed the 1864 Constitution of the Kingdom of Hawaii and took an oath to protect it. The new constitution returned political authority to the monarchy and limited the power of the legislature.
Kamehameha V also founded the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, a knighthood order established to promote and defend the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Hawaii. The Royal Order is still thriving today and continues its mission.
Kamehameha V passed away on his 42nd birthday – December 11, 1872 – with no heir to the throne, bringing an end to the Kamehameha lineage. In honor of his life and legacy, the Prince Lot Hula Festival is held annually in July on Oahu.
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New Year’s Eve Celebration at Poipu Beach Park
Ring in the new year on Kauai with a festive celebration and fireworks display at Poipu Beach Park perfect for families to attend. The evening will feature a free movie screening followed by a spectacular fireworks show. Food trucks will also be on hand for attendees to enjoy.
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The celebration is set for December 31, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., with the fireworks show kicking off at 8:15 p.m.
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Los Angeles Rams To Play Preseason Game at Aloha Stadium
Great news for football fans, as the Los Angeles Rams will be playing a preseason game at Aloha Stadium next August through a marketing partnership with HTA.
Travel to the Hawaiian Islands is being promoted during Rams game days on the radio broadcast and on signage at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Hawaii is also being featured on the Rams digital and social platforms, which includes a contest awarding the winners with a free Hawaii trip to see the Rams play.
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Having a preseason game in Hawaii is already generating excitement, especially among residents. As HTA Board Chair Rick Fried noted, “The Rams preseason game next year at Aloha Stadium will be the highlight sports event of the summer in Hawai‘i.”
Details about the preseason game, including the date, time and opponent will be announced at a later date.
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Hawaii Open Tennis, December 21-23
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The Hawaii Open Tennis Tournament is set for December 21-23 at Honolulu’s Neal S. Blaisdell Center.
Tennis professionals competing in the tournament include Kei Nishikori of Japan, Milos Raonic of Canada and Garbine Muguruza of Spain.
Three rounds of single-elimination matches promising edge-of-your-seat action will be played in a best two-out-of-three set format.
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Oahu
Dec. 2
Dec. 21-23
Dec. 22-23, 25
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Island of Hawaii
Dec. 15
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Capacity Building Workshop for Events
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In partnership with the International Festivals and Events Association, HTA staff conducted workshops on Maui, Kauai, the island of Hawaii and Oahu from October 30 through November 20. Attended by approximately 125 event planners and organizers across the state, the workshops focused on ways to help attendees enhance the quality and success of their events.
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Hawaii Product Seminar for Travel Advisors
From October 24-28, Hawaii Tourism United States (HTUSA) joined Northern California ASTA at the 2018 Hawaii Product Seminar in Honolulu. Representatives from HTUSA, the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau, Kauai Visitors Bureau and Oahu Visitors Bureau conducted destination presentations and one-on-one appointments with the 45 travel advisors in attendance.
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The weeklong event also included Oahu familiarization tours of new attractions and historic tours, as well as hotel site inspections.
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Culinary Press Trip Hosted on Maui and Oahu
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Timed with the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival, HTUSA hosted a press trip on Maui and Oahu from October 19-27. In addition to attending festival events, the journalists experienced a curated dinner at Lineage, chef Sheldon Simeon's newly restaurant on Maui.
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The press trip also incorporated an array of culinary- and spirit-focused activities, including tours of Hawaii Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery, Haliimaile Distilling Company, Surfing Goat Dairy and Pono Pork; a Kaimuki brunch dine-around; and a Fete Local Ia prix fixe dinner. Media outlets represented by the journalists included
Mic, Forbes, Thrillist, Tasting Table and
AFAR.
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Hawaii Showcased at IMEX America
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From October 16-18, the Meet Hawaii team participated in IMEX America, one of the world’s largest trade shows for the incentive travel, meetings and events industry. The Hawaii delegation, which included 40 industry partners statewide, met with clients and developed leads on new business opportunities for future bookings.
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In addition, the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau team promoted recovery campaign efforts to stimulate increased travel demand following this summer’s Kilauea volcano eruption and lava flows in lower Puna. Updates on the Hawaiian Islands were provided to journalists representing several prominent meetings trade publications, including
Meetings and Conventions, Corporate Event News, Incentive and
Successful Meetings.
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Summit Attracts Travel Trade Representatives
Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ) hosted 100 travel trade representatives from Japan at HTA’s Global Tourism Summit, October 1-3, providing networking and business development opportunities with Hawaii stakeholders.
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Three keynote speakers from Japan presented their insights on recent technological developments and the implications to the travel industry. During the B2B sessions, meetings between Japan travel trade representatives and Hawaii suppliers were facilitated using fingerprint scanners, allowing participants to experience a technology discussed in a keynote presentation to better understand its convenience.
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Japan Wholesalers Explore Island of Hawaii
Following the Global Tourism Summit, an island of Hawaii familiarization tour was organized for 21 wholesale travel representatives. Participants gained a better understanding of the current situation following Kilauea volcano’s eruption last summer to help them sell travel products. Attendees enjoyed many diverse activities, including a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and snorkeling. As a result, the participants began discussions on incorporating the island’s attractions under the “All Japan” brand.
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Hawaii Adventure Showcased for Canada Media
Adventure in Hawaii was the focus for four Canada journalists and social influencers on a recent week-long familiarization tour of the island of Hawaii and Lanai. Activities on the island of Hawaii included a helicopter tour, sunrise canoe tour and dedication of a koa tree at Umikoa Ranch. On Lanai, participants enjoyed three days of exploration with the Four Seasons Resort Lanai serving as home base.
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Agents Enjoy Aloha Canada Trade Mission
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In October, representatives from Maui, the island of Hawaii, Kauai and Oahu, along with accommodation and attraction partners, showcased the Hawaiian Islands at the Aloha Canada Trade Mission in Toronto, Vancouver and Edmonton.
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At each trade event, travel agents enjoyed Hawaii-inspired cuisine, informative destination presentations, and learned hula from performers of the Polynesian Cultural Center.
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Mega Aloha FAM Trip for Travel Agents
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Hawaii Tourism Oceania (HTO), in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines, conducted the Mega Aloha familiarization tour in October. Forty-five travel agents from Australia and New Zealand explored Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the island of Hawaii.
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HTO collaborated with the Island Chapters on an itinerary highlighting the diversity, culture and range of accommodations and tour options on each island. The trip culminated with an evening at the newly renovated Queen Kapiolani Hotel where attendees participated in cultural demonstrations and shared their island experiences with each, including stories of Hawaii legends they learned.
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Australian Radio Show Goes Live from Oahu
HTO worked with Melbourne’s Triple M Radio
Hot Breakfast morning show to broadcast live from the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. The radio crew streamed their show to listeners in Australia, describing their firsthand experiences in the Hawaiian Islands.
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The group enjoyed a tour aboard Paradise Helicopters and surfing lessons with Faith Surf School at Waikiki Beach. The show’s producers created videos that were shared on the station’s digital media channels. Each daily broadcast featured 90 minutes of on-air content, a value of more than $200,000 USD.
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Aloha and Romance Celebrated in Hong Kong
On October 21, Hawaii Tourism Hong Kong became the first tourism board to sponsor Pink Dot Hong Kong 2018, the largest annual LGBT event in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District Art Park.
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The event attracted more than 12,000 attendees, many of whom were considered to be mid- to high-spending travelers. In collaboration with United Vacations and Wedding Centre, a Hawaii booth provided information to LGBT travelers on romantic locations statewide and showcased new Hawaii romance travel products.
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Partnering with Shadow Factory, a creative virtual reality agency in Hong Kong, a romantic Hawaii-themed augmented reality filter was introduced via Facebook. Guests entered a drawing to win a Hawaii vacation for two, including roundtrip airfare from United Airlines and a two-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Waikiki Beach.
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Report Ranks Hawaii High for Luxury Travelers
The Hawaiian Islands ranked as the second most popular travel destination worldwide for China’s luxury travelers, according to a recent report, The Chinese Luxury Traveler 2018, issued by Hurun Report and the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM).
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Hurun Report is China’s leading research institution with a focus on wealth reports and rankings in China. ILTM is a collection of global, regional and specialist luxury travel events. The Chinese Luxury Traveler report showcases trends and consumer habits of high-spending travelers.
Participants surveyed for the report have, on average, been to more than 20 countries and spend more than $50,000 USD (350,000 RMB) on travel annually per family.
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Top China Agencies and Media Visit Hawaii
Hawaii Tourism China hosted nearly 20 China travel trade representatives at HTA’s Global Tourism Summit, October 1-3, followed by familiarization tours throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Travel trade buyers represented included the Beijing and Region Trade Buyers Group, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Chengdu Trade Buyers Group, and the Fashion and Lifestyle Media Group.
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The Island Chapters and travel partners statewide supported the groups with a variety of accommodations, activities and attractions to enhance their experience. As a result of this consolidated effort, new Hawaii products have been developed with media publicity having launched in November that is reaching an estimated three million readers.
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Promoting Layover Routes to the “Ninth Island”
To stimulate more Hawaii travel, Hawaii Tourism Korea (HTK) conducted the Dual-City FAM and promotion with travel trade representatives in partnership with Hawaiian Airlines and Brand USA from October 22-29. The objective was to educate consumers about Hawaiian’s Las Vegas-Hawaii routes, a popular layover trip for honeymooners from Korea. The familiarization tour itinerary for Oahu and the island of Hawaii showcased a variety of natural attractions, newly opened hotels, culture and history.
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HTK is also partnering with Hawaiian Airlines and travel agencies Blue Travel, Honey Tree, 808 Star Hawaii, Honeymoon Resort, Palm Tour and Tour Baksa to launch new tour products that will be promoted extensively on multiple media channels.
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Hawaii Travel Talk in Korea
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“Hawaii Travel Talk,” a consumer event in collaboration with CGV, the largest movie theater chain in Korea, and leading travel magazine,
Travie, was held to promote Hawaii travel.
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The talk story event was led by renowned Korean host, musician and travel writer SangEun Lee and Liz You, HTK director of marketing and public relations, who shared travel experiences, insights and travel tips about the Hawaiian Islands. Consumers were educated about respecting the islands’ culture, environment and communities, and the significance of preserving Hawaii’s natural resources.
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First-Ever Hawaii Aloha Festival in Taipei
The first-ever Hawaii Aloha Festival was held at Huashan Cultural Park Lawn in Taipei, October 13-14. Hawaii Tourism Taiwan (HTT) worked with 10 vendors, including Islander Hawaiian Coffee, Plantation Prestige, KAMEKONA, Voda Swim and YesTrip, an affiliate of China Airlines.
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In addition, Taiwan residents enjoyed activities at the festival, including workshops on playing the ukulele, dancing hula and making flower lei. Families, children, couples and friends enjoyed learning about Hawaii culture. They also took candid shots at the Hawaii photo booth and uploaded their images to social media.
Taiwan’s leading media, including
CTI Television Corporation, TVBS
Media,
China Times and
Power News, produced news coverage about the festival.
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New Video Campaign Displayed in Malaysia
AirAsia X, the low-cost airline based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has been promoting Hawaii travel by prominently displaying Paradise Within Reach, an inspirational video featuring the islands and created through a joint effort with Hawaii Tourism Southeast Asia. The video has been shown throughout Malaysia in high-traffic areas, such as the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Time Square, Damansara-Puchong Highway and Spring Highway.
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Apple Travel Fiesta Promotes Hawaii
Hawaii was among the travel destinations featured at the Apple Travel Fiesta in Malaysia, October 4-7. Organized by Apple Vacations, the event attracted 6,000 travel consumers. The Hawaiian Islands had a prominent presence, with hula being performed and taught to attendees.
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Aloha Europe Roadshow
The Aloha Europe roadshow, October 8-17, brought Hawaii industry partners together with sales agents, product managers and media in the United Kingdom, Germany and Copenhagen to promote travel to the Hawaiian Islands. The roadshow format allowed the partners to target a large number of sales staff in geographically diverse regions.
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Educating Tour Operators in France
In collaboration with Outrigger Resorts and Hotels and Hawaiian Airlines, a training session was recently held for 20 key tour operators from France to help them in selling travel products and experiences to the Hawaiian Islands. The informational briefing was well received and helps the tour operators to better understand how they can match their clients’ travel desires with what Hawaii has to offer.
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Keep in touch with HTA via social media:
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HTA recognizes the use of the 'okina ['] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the (modern) Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ō] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai'i such as Lāna'i). However, HTA respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses. Due to technological limitations, this current communication
may not include all Hawaiian diacritical markings.
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