He wā kilo, he wā hana 

A time to observe, a time to produce 

As we experience change in our surroundings, especially at home in Hawaiʻi, we use the skill of kilo (observation) passed down from our kūpuna to adjust our hana (what we produce) so that Hawaiʻi remains grounded in the foundational values that set it apart from the rest of the world. 

To mālama (care for) Hawaiʻi means those who live here and those visiting, all contributing to maintaining a sense of place. From the malihini (visitor) perspective, that’s visiting mindfully – giving back through volunteering, supporting local, and helping to do their part in respecting the needs of our natural resources, wildlife, and communities. From the host's perspective, that’s leading by example and practicing kilo to find those opportunities where we can hoʻoikaika (strengthen) our own actions and those of others through education. 

At the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, we are grateful to have this kuleana (responsibility) and to be a part of this movement toward regenerative tourism. He wā kilo, he wā hana. Let us all produce the future of tourism in Hawaiʻi together. 

Mahalo for Attending the 2023 Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference 

Mahalo to everyone who joined us for the 2023 Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference Presented by Hawaiian Airlines on October 2 and 3 at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center. The conference successfully convened over 500 attendees, including industry partners, community organizations, government stakeholders, media, and the public, all coming together to discuss the kākou efforts shaping Hawaiʻi's regenerative tourism future. Throughout the event, participants had the opportunity to listen to insightful remarks from state officials, industry partners, and community leaders, as well as immerse themselves in a diverse array of educational sessions. 

Additionally, we had the privilege of presenting the annual Tourism Legacy Awards to Aunty Tammy and Uncle Danny Smith, Go Farm Hawaiʻi, and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau in recognition of their exceptional contributions to supporting local agriculture in Hawaiʻi. Mahalo to all our speakers, staff, exhibitors, volunteers, and our sponsor, Hawaiian Airlines, for their incredible support in ensuring the success of this event. For those interested, the presentation decks from our Global Marketing Team updates can be accessed on our website here. 

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Accepting Applications for Community Funding Support Through November 13

As part of our commitment to invest in Hawai‘i’s people, cultures and places, HTA is encouraging community organizations and representatives statewide to submit applications for funding in support of natural resources, culture, community festivals and signature events. HTA programs offering funding support include Kahu ‘Āina, Kūkulu Ola, the Resort Area Hawaiian Culture Initiative, Community Enrichment and Signature Events. Each of these programs also works to strengthen kamaʻāina leadership capacity in Hawaiʻi’s communities and organizations.

In partnership with Kilohana, the HTA recently launched ‘Umeke, a digital portal for community organizations and representatives to submit applications for funding support. Akin to a bowl or gourd serving as a vessel for food or water, ʻUmeke is a repository for community funding support, guided by the HTA’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and Destination Management Action Plans.

The deadline for applicants to submit proposals for funding support from these HTA programs is November 13 at 11:59 p.m. HST. To apply, visit umeke.kilohana.com. 

HTA Expands Destination Management Work on Hawai‘i Island

HTA has begun offering its support to two Hawai‘i Island community-based organizations, Ka ‘Ohana O Honu‘apo and Ho‘āla Kealakekua Nui Inc., engaging each to expand their visitor education efforts and work mitigating tourism impacts in the Punalu‘u and Kealakekua Bay areas of the island.

In partnership with the Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau (IHVB), the support and engagement is part of HTA’s recently launched Hawai‘i Island Community-Based Action Stewardship Program. Funded by HTA, the program supports a community-driven approach to destination management guided by HTA’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and the Hawai‘i Island Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP).

Ka ‘Ohana O Honu‘apo was selected for its Ka‘ū Hoa Pili ‘Āina Training Program. With HTA’s support, the program will train 10 Punalu‘u stewards on practices of mālama ‘āina related to cultural practices and protocols, conservation and biological sciences and place-based messaging about the Ka‘ū coastline. HTA selected Ho‘āla Kealakekua Nui Inc. for its Building ‘Āina-Based Stewardship Programs for Kealakekua Bay project, which aims to educate visitors, residents and commercial tour operators about the community-developed Kealakekua Bay Community Action Plan Code of Conduct, which outlines respectful interactions within the bay.

Explained HTA Interim President and CEO Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i, “Reinvesting in these nonprofit organizations to expand the work they are doing to protect, preserve and educate people about the culture, history and natural resources of these special places is our kuleana to the community and those who visit.”

For more information, click here. 

Lā Kūʻokoʻa

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has supported the multi-year collaboration between Bishop Museum and Awaiaulu and the He Aupuni Palapala project that preserves nūpepa (the Hawaiian language newspapers) and therefore, the moʻolelo (stories) of Hawaiʻi. He Aupuni Palapala is cataloging the existing nūpepa in public repositories in Hawaiʻi by recording the condition of each page and then re-digitizing them to update images on the Papakilo Database with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to make clear and word-searchable pages available for free public access. The Hawaiian language newspapers total more than 100,000 pages of text, encompassing practically all aspects of Hawaiian life, culture, literature, environment, and history—told in the words of Hawaiians of the day. 

One important historical event documented was Lā Kūʻokoʻa. Its origins date back to November 28, 1843, when the Hawaiian Kingdom’s status of independence and sovereignty was formally recognized with the signing of the Anglo-Franco Proclamation, mahalo to Hawaiʻi’s diplomat Timoteo Haʻalilio, his associate William Richards, and George Simpson. Lā Kūʻokoʻa is an affirmation of identity and joyful pride in Hawaiʻi’s history and on April 19, 2023 Gov. Josh Green signed bill/ACT 011 into law acknowledging that Hawaiian Independence Day will be held annually on Nov. 28. 

In celebration of Lā Kūʻokoʻa, He Aupuni Palapala featured a look back to the year 1873 and the festivities carried out on its 30th anniversary. Click here to visit the Bishop Museum’s blog page highlighting the national holiday.

Web Marketing Association Recognizes Proper Use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi on HTA and GoHawaii Websites

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), and Miles Partnership were recently awarded the Web Marketing Association’s Outstanding Achievement in Web Development Award. This award recognized the proper usage of Hawaiian orthography on our HTA and GoHawaii websites and, by mandating correct orthography, our efforts to preserve Hawaiʻi’s authentic culture and accurately represent our Hawaiian language. 

In May 2022, HTA decided to amend our ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi policy to include Hawaiian orthography on our websites, social media platforms and other digital assets. Doing so was a big step in presenting our work authentically, important to uplifting Hawaiʻi’s native and official language, and the pono thing to do. It was also no easy task. 

HTA appreciates the extensive kōkua from our partners at HVCB and the Island Chapters, as well as Miles Partnership and Anthology A FINN Partners Company, in making our mission a reality. Nearly 600 pages of content and word usage were carefully examined to include ʻokina and kahakō, as well as translations where necessary. More than 100 of these words were used in various contexts and were translated accordingly throughout these platforms. As we at HTA holomua (progress) in this effort, we will continue to make edits and updates, especially as we learn more about how we can hoʻoikaika hou (improve). 

HTA is honored to accept this award with gratitude for all who have helped pave the way before us in Hawaiian language revitalization efforts and all those alongside us who help to ʻauamo (uphold) this kuleana. The ʻAha Pūnana Leo’s vision of “E ola mau nō ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi — the Hawaiian language shall live” is indeed actualized. E kele aku iā (go visit) hawaiitourismauthority.org a me (and) gohawaii.com. 

2023 Maui Invitational Supports Wildfire Recovery Efforts

This year's Maui Invitational is temporarily shifting to Oʻahu, enabling the Lahaina Civic Center to continue its crucial role in Maui recovery efforts. HTA is proud to support this event, which will host the nation's most elite basketball programs, promising an exciting environment for basketball fans from November 20 to 22 at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus. The 2023 Maui Invitational not only guarantees top-tier basketball action but also serves as a platform to uplift Maui’s recovery. In partnership with the Hawai‘i Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund, Maui Jim has launched the Hoops for ʻOhana fundraising effort to provide essential assistance to those affected by the wildfires. We extend our gratitude to Maui Jim, Governor Josh Green, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, Chaminade University of Honolulu, and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa for their unwavering commitment to keep this event in Hawaiʻi. The State of Hawai‘i and Maui Invitational remain dedicated to returning the tournament home to Lahaina in 2024. For further details and ticket purchases, please visit mauiinvitational.com.

HTA Seeks Proposals for Island Visitor Education and Brand Management Support Services

Strengthening our mission to actively work with residents and communities statewide to holistically manage tourism with sustainable practices, HTA is procuring visitor education and brand management support services through on-island representation for Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i and Hawai‘i Island. The services will support our visitor education efforts, including the pre-arrival initiatives of our Global Marketing Team, visitor industry engagement and public relations. Selected applicants will also serve as advisors to the HTA on their respective islands and The Hawaiian Islands statewide brand, as well as collaborate with the Global Marketing Team to develop and implement familiarization trips and press trips on-island. 

The contract will commence on January 1, 2024, and will end on June 30, 2024, in alignment with the fiscal year budget cycle with an option to extend for an additional four 12-month terms and one six-month term or parts thereof. Proposals are due to HTA no later than 2 p.m. on November 6, 2023. For more information, click here. 

HTJ Hosts Tourism Day, Encourages Support for Maui

Hawai‘i Tourism Japan (HTJ) hosted its Tourism Day on September 5 and 6, offering Japan tourism industry representatives opportunities to meet and chat with members of the Hawai‘i State Legislature, representatives from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and HTA Interim President and CEO Daniel Nāhoʻopiʻi. The delegation from Hawai‘i shared news from Maui in the aftermath of the island’s wildfires, expressed their gratitude for relief funds from Japan, and shared information on Hawai‘i’s tourism strategy.

Nāhoʻopiʻi communicated to the gathering a strong message that visiting the Hawaiian Islands right now is the best way to support residents of Maui and statewide. He also advised that travelers to Hawai‘i should not be discouraged by erroneous information about our tourism industry.

In response to damage caused by the August 8 wildfires, Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan established a donation system in support of Maui as many in Japan have communicated to HTJ their desire to support Maui and its recovery. Between August 27 and September 30, more than 100 million yen was collected by HTJ, with all monies donated to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. 

HTCAN Meets with Travel Agents at Air Canada Vacations Product Launches

Hawai‘i Tourism Canada (HTCAN) attended Air Canada Vacation’s August launches for its Sun Collections destinations ACV DreamMakers travel product in the Toronto and Vancouver markets. HTCAN met with more than 800 agents over the two product launches, sharing Maui wildfire aftermath updates and highlighting educational tools available to them for client discussions about the Hawaiian Islands.

HTCAN sat with more than 300 travel agents over both events, many of them discussing their pushes to maintain their Maui bookings and keep Maui top of mind as a destination. The agents were excited to hear about how to do so mindfully.

Representatives from Outrigger Hotels and Resorts joined HTCAN at both ACV launch events as a partner.

HTO Hosts Aloha Down Under 2023 

Hawaiʻi Tourism Oceania (HTO) successfully hosted another Aloha Down Under event from September 4 to 12. The event brought together 19 partners from across the Hawaiian Islands and welcomed over 650 travel advisors, product managers, and industry partners in Christchurch, Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. In addition to advisor workshop sessions, B2B meetings, and media events, HTO collaborated with the Royal Automobile Club Victoria (RACV) to host an event in Melbourne, showcasing Hawaiʻi-based products and Hawaiian culture to RACV members for the first time this year. 

In addition to sharing updates on products and services with the travel trade industry, HTO and our partners also amplified our message of Mālama Maui throughout the week. Attendees actively participated in sharing heartfelt messages to support those affected by the August wildfires. 

To view the event's highlight video, click here. 

HTK Collaborates on #StoriesOfMālama Social Media Project

Hawai‘i Tourism Korea (HTK) collaborated with the Hawai‘i Inside team — comprised of a member from Hawai‘i and two content management members from Korea — to create and release 14 #StoriesOfMalama posts on our HTK official social media channels in September. The posts covered multiple topics including the 2023 Aloha Festivals, Aloha Kai Lū‘au, entertainment at Sea Life Park Hawai‘i, and other Hawai‘i business and artists. In addition, HTK released three sets of its Mālama Hawai‘i interview series, with a goal of educating Korean consumers about the meaning of mālama. Each set included a post and video featuring interviewees discussing their mālama messages. 

HTC Supports Hainan Night with Hainan Provincial Government

Hawai‘i Tourism China (HTC) coordinated logistics for Hainan Night, hosted by the Hainan Provincial Government at Sheraton Waikīkī on August 4. The event’s more than 120 attendees included Hawai‘i Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke; Vice Governor of Hainan Chen Huaiyu; representatives from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles, China General Chamber of Commerce USA, Chinese Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i, and Hawaiʻi Fujian Business Association; and tourism industry partners from the U.S. and China. The event presented participants opportunities to learn more about the Hainan Free Trade Port and discuss potential cultural, economic, and tourism cooperation opportunities between Hainan and Hawaiʻi. Hainan and Hawaiʻi first established sister-city relations in 1992. 

Read more stories about our work to advance a regenerative tourism future at holomua.hawaiitourismauthority.org.