I hoʻokahi, kahi ka manaʻo 

I hoʻokahi, kahi puʻuwai 

I hoʻokahi, kahi ke aloha 

E mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono 

Be of one mind 

Be of one heart 

Be of one aloha 

The life of the land is perpetuated in that which is righteous 

This is a verse from the song Ka Naʻi Aupuni which was composed in 1906 in honor of the great chiefs of Hawaiʻi, inspired by words attributed to Kamehameha I as he counseled the chiefs that surrounded him in his final days. They all agreed that only righteousness would preserve the nation of Hawaiʻi. As we support those recovering from the devastating fires on Maui, the essence of mālama remains our commitment as we be of one heart, mind, and aloha so that the life of this land is perpetuated in that which is pono.

Maui Wildfires Lead to Drop in Visitor Arrivals, Spending in August 2023 

The State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) released its August 2023 visitor statistics report yesterday, reflecting the steep decline in Maui visitor arrivals following the early August wildfires. 

Maui visitor arrivals declined 57.8% in August 2023 compared to 2022, with visitor spending also dropping 49.0% to $246.7 million. Total visitor days on Maui during August declined by 56.2%. These were the lowest visitor arrival and spending numbers reported for Maui in more than two years when the COVID-19 pandemic deterred many people from traveling. 

The sharp decline in visitor arrivals on Maui during the month of August affected the state’s overall totals in several key categories. On a statewide level, visitor arrivals declined by 7.3%, with visitor spending decreasing by 9.2% to $1.58 million during August. 

The benefits of increased visitor spending are realized directly in the bottom line of businesses on all islands and the workers who depend on tourism’s success for their employment and families’ livelihood. After listening to the Maui community and visitor industry, HTA is supporting residents who work in the hospitality industry and business owners who count on visitor spending by ensuring that visitors return to Maui. 

The impact of the wildfires on travel to Hawai‘i’s second-most visited island makes it clear: respectful, compassionate, responsible travel to Maui and the other Hawaiian Islands is welcome and encouraged, more now than ever. 

For more information on the August 2023 visitor statistics, visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/research/monthly-visitor-statistics/. 

Mālama Maui Work Continues 

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority continues its emphasis on Maui recovery efforts. In actively listening to the Maui community and visitor industry partners, HTA is supporting residents who work in the hospitality industry and business owners who count on visitor spending by ensuring that travelers return to Maui in a meaningful way. 

We are doing so by making the invitation clear in our visitor education messaging and Mālama Maui efforts that we are asking for respectful, compassionate, responsible travel to the island, and that visitation is welcomed and encouraged to the many open areas of Maui, now more than ever. 

The HTA Board of Directors’ Disaster Response Permitted Interaction Group, which the board expediently formed to focus on Maui recovery, and HTA staff are procuring planning support services for a Tourism Recovery Plan that will be based on public community input from West Maui. 

In addition to participating in various on-island meetings, we also continue to convene regular group Maui Komohana (West Maui) meetings via Zoom with hoteliers to understand their needs and be updated on their reopening plans. 

The HTA board approved additional visitor education and marketing resources to recover travel demand to Maui, including $2.6 million for the U.S. and $1.5 million for Canada. These efforts are centered around a new Mālama Maui campaign, uplifting the voices of Maui residents in the invitation to return. 

Gearing Up for the 2023 Hawaiʻi Tourism Conference Presented by Hawaiian Airlines 

The 2023 Hawai‘i Tourism Conference Presented by Hawaiian Airlines is just around the corner, taking place on Monday, October 2, and Tuesday, October 3, at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s annual event serves as a vital platform for essential dialogue on destination management, collaboration and progress in Hawaiʻi's tourism industry. 

Mahalo to everyone who has registered to attend the conference for two days of insightful discussions featuring community representatives, industry leaders, tourism lawmakers, and government officials who are actively involved in driving positive change in Hawaiʻi. The event has reached full capacity and we look forward to welcoming attendees. For more detailed information about the conference agenda, sessions, and activities, visit our website. 

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Supports the Hawai‘i Green Business Forum

The Hawai‘i Green Business Forum will be held on multiple islands to celebrate local businesses' efforts to adopt eco-friendly practices. Attendees can receive valuable insights on how their organizations can make a positive impact on the environment while benefiting from sustainability. There will be events on October 26 on Hawaiʻi Island, October 27 on Kauaʻi, and November 1 on Oʻahu, from 9 to 11 a.m. at various locations. Each event will be hybrid for online attendees, and Maui honorees will be featured at each. Attendees will learn from sustainability pioneers, hear from industry experts, see the implementation of sustainable practices during in-person site visits, and network with like-minded individuals and businesses. The event is an opportunity to showcase the benefits of sustainability through the Hawaiʻi Green Business Program, which offers reduced energy consumption, utility costs, improved performance, public recognition, and access to resources.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is proud to provide support for these events as part of our work in protecting our natural resources and advancing the state’s Aloha+ Challenge goals, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the ‘Āina Aloha Economic Futures Declaration principles. By participating in the Green Business Forum and the Hawaiʻi Green Business Program, attendees will contribute to a more sustainable and socially responsible business landscape, ultimately working towards a greener future to Mālama Hawaiʻi.

To learn more and register for an event on your island, visit https://greenbusiness.hawaii.gov/home/forums/.

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festivals Perpetuate Hawaiʻi Music Traditions 

Experience the art of slack key guitar at two upcoming events proudly supported by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority through our 2023 Community Enrichment Program. On October 8, the 31st Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival will be held at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, showcasing 12 esteemed slack key guitar artists. On October 29, the 26th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa will feature some of Hawaiʻi's finest artists in the slack key guitar genre. 

These events pay tribute to the rich cultural heritage of this indigenous art form, which traces its roots back to Hawaiʻi Island in 1832. HTA takes pride in supporting these events, alongside this year’s previously held festivals on Maui and Oʻahu, as we honor Hawaiʻi's culture and musical traditions.

LA Clippers Return to Hawai‘i, Support Maui Recovery Efforts 

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is proud to further its longstanding partnership with the LA Clippers. Next week, the team will return to Hawaiʻi where it will hold its training camp and also spend time giving back to our community by making improvements at a local school. Their visit will culminate on Sunday, October 8 with the Clippers Hawaiʻi Classic, a pre-season game against the Utah Jazz in which all proceeds from the game will be donated to the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund to benefit Maui wildfire recovery efforts. 

On August 30, LA Clippers Shooting Guard Terance Mann and other staff members were on Oʻahu. They visited with the students and teachers at Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, provided Clippers’ school supplies and giveaways, and assisted in the school’s weekly food distribution. In addition, they volunteered at the Hawaiʻi Food Bank, inspecting, sorting and boxing dry food donations that were designated for the Maui Food Bank to support wildfire relief efforts. 

To purchase tickets for the Clippers’ Hawaiʻi Classic presented by The Hawaiian Islands, please visit clippers.com/singlegametickets.

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Awards Two-Year Contract for Visitor Education and Brand Management in Europe

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority has awarded a two-year contract for visitor education and brand management and marketing services in Europe, affirming HTA’s commitment to this major market area following the pandemic. The contract was awarded to Emotive Travel Marketing Ltd., which will operate as a part of HTA’s Global Marketing Team as Hawai‘i Tourism Europe. Strategic efforts will educate European visitors about traveling mindfully and respectfully while supporting Hawai‘i’s communities and economy. Focus will also be placed on driving visitor spending into Hawai‘i-based businesses, including supporting local businesses, festivals and events; purchasing Hawaiʻi-grown agricultural products; and promoting Hawai‘i-made products in-market in partnership with HTA, the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT), and the private sector. 

Hawaiʻi Tourism USA

HTUSA Actively Engaged in Maui Wildfire Relief and Recovery Efforts

The Hawai‘i Tourism USA (HTUSA) team immediately activated response in collaboration with Governor Josh Green, Mayor Richard Bissen, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, and many other state and federal agencies following the devastating wildfires on Maui. During the first few weeks, staff served at the Maui Emergency Operations Center and HTA’s Department Operations Center for 24/7 support, and assisted with crisis communications by distributing immediate and ongoing updates to partners including airline, travel trade, MCI, wholesale, travel advisors, national media, and HVCB membership. 

The Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau team coordinated the return of nearly 1,000 pieces of luggage to visitors on the continent who were forced to evacuate, and coordinated cultural awareness training for hundreds of FEMA and other federal agency volunteers mobilizing to Maui for various relief efforts. 

The team quickly shifted to activating recovery efforts by building a Maui Recovery Marketing Plan to share the important message that responsible travel to accessible areas of Maui is welcomed and encouraged, now more than ever. The plan includes social videos highlighting the voices of Maui kupa ‘āina, public relations programs like media blitzes, travel trade educational blitzes, and communication through owned media channels. See these stories and updates by following @gohawaii on your preferred social media platform.

Global MCI

Meet Hawai‘i Responds Quickly to Maui Wildfires

In the aftermath of the Maui wildfires disaster, the Meet Hawai‘i sales team acted quickly, distributing timely updates from HTA and proactively communicating with 14 strategic partners including American Express Travel, American Society of Association Executives, BI Worldwide, Conference Direct, Corporate Event Marketing Association and many more. The main message that group business in areas beyond West Maui, namely Wailea, is encouraged to keep residents employed and our economy alive. Many partners demonstrated their support of Maui by sharing this important message with their members worldwide and donating to relief efforts as well. 

Simultaneously, the team reached out to definite groups to address concerns, provide accurate information and offer alternative solutions, as necessary. As a result, the Signature Travel Network Owners’ Meeting was confirmed for early September, as planned, and was the first major group traveling to Maui since the wildfires disaster. The team was also in constant contact with Wailea and West Maui sales and marketing executives to share updates and collaborate on a collective response to instill confidence in Maui as a destination for groups.

The Sister Summit Held on O‘ahu with HTJ Support

Hawai‘i Tourism Japan (HTJ) was a supporter of The Sister Summit, held in Honolulu on July 27 and 28. A delegation of representatives from Japan — including the governors, deputy governors and mayors of 25 prefectures, cities, towns and villages from 31 Japanese regions that have sister city and friendship city relationships with Hawaiʻi — participated in the meeting to discuss economic exchange, sustainable tourism, clean energy and educational exchange programs. HTJ hosted a booth on both days of the meeting, collaborating with LbE Japan — a global organization focusing on edu-tourism — and providing information on educational tourism in Hawai‘i. 

HTCAN Announces Aloha Canada Road Show 2023 Dates

Hawai‘i Tourism Canada (HTCAN) announced December 5 through 7 as dates for its next Aloha Canada Road Show, which will touch down in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Invited travel advisors and key industry partners will attend an informative tradeshow event and evening dinner featuring presentations and valuable networking opportunities. Travel agents will be able to meet with key participating partners to learn about the newest Hawai‘i happenings, sustainability initiatives and what’s new for 2024. HTCAN will also share key information on the Mālama Hawai‘i program and opportunities travel agents can suggest to clients to mālama the Hawaiian Islands. The Aloha Canada Road Show will also include Hawai‘i cultural practitioners, musicians and performers. 

HTO Participates in TravelManagers Annual Conference 2023

Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania attended the TravelManagers Annual Conference in Christchurch from August 30 to September 2. The three-day conference, including a trade show component, welcomed over 150 Personal TravelManagers from across Australia and New Zealand. During the conference, Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania shared a destination update, with a focus on the "Mālama Maui" message, encouraging attendees to book their clients' trips to Maui and support locally-made Maui products. Earlier last month, TravelManagers announced that the organization had achieved record-breaking six-month sales results in the first half of 2023, surpassing its previous six-month record (January to June 2019) by 29%. Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania will continue to work closely with TravelManagers to support Maui's recovery plans, thanks to TravelManagers' high-caliber and loyal clients.

HTK Partners with SSG.com for Successful ‘Ono Hawai‘i Campaign

In June and July, Hawai‘i Tourism Korea (HTK) partnered with Korea’s largest online shopping platform SSG.com and gourmet magazine Bar and Dining to launch an online promotion of Hawai‘i cuisine. The promotion was hosted on SSG.com's website and official Instagram page, inviting Korean residents to experience easy-to-make-at-home Hawai‘i food recipes for dishes such as poke and musubi. The promotion’s goal was introducing HTK's ‘Ono Hawai‘i campaign to consumers and encouraging them to share their own Hawai‘i-style food recipes that remind them of the Hawaiian Islands in their daily lives. To raise awareness of the ‘Ono Hawai‘i event and encourage participation, HTK also ran social media ads and recruited 20 influencers to help spread word. The series’ three events were successful, drawing more than 1,700 entries, with event posts reaching 300,000 people. 

HTC Participates in Hawai‘i Destination Training and Major Brand USA Road Show

Hawai‘i Tourism China (HTC) conducted Hawaiʻi destination training in a CTRIP Reconnect with the U.S. event at the Shanghai headquarters of Ctrip.com in July, providing information on Hawai‘i’s core branding message, the Mālama Hawaiʻi program, key attractions, voluntourism programs and agricultural tours to event participants. HTC also participated in four Brand USA Road Shows in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in July, visiting Nanjing, Suzhou, Ningbo and Hangzhou. HTC conducted four training sessions spotlighting the Mālama Hawaiʻi program to travel industry buyers from East China markets, including wholesalers and major online travel agencies Tuniu, Tongcheng and Fliggy.