hawaii tourism authority survey

Survey: 53% of Residents Think Tourism Brings More Benefits Than Problems

A majority of Hawaiʻi residents believe tourism is worth the issues that surround the industry, according to the latest resident sentiment survey from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Nearly 1,800 residents participated in the survey between April and June 2021. Participants were asked whether tourism is worth the issues associated with it, and whether they felt there were efforts to balance the economic benefits with quality of life.

The research firm Omnitrak, which conducted the study, presented the report to HTA's board of directors Thursday.

"Travel and tourism has been growing at a record pace since the turnaround 2008-2009," said Chris Kam, president and COO of Omnitrak. "A couple good things is that the industry is growing, the bad thing is people start getting concerned with the growth of the industry."

Overall, 53% of those surveyed said tourism brings more benefits than problems. That's the lowest approval rating since the HTA began tracking resident sentiment in 1988.

In this most recent survey, Omnitrak posed two new questions to participants.

"When we asked if tourism is worth it, given all the issues, 76%—three out of four people—said 'yes, it is,'" Kam said.

Kam says only 24% of those surveyed said it wasn't worth the costs that it brings.

When broken down to the county level, 78% of Oʻahu respondents said tourism is worth the issues associated with it.

"On the neighbor islands, that support was a little bit lower, in the lower 70 percentiles," Kam said.

Participants were also asked to rate the efforts to manage tourism on their island. The report said 56% of participants said they didn't feel there was a greater effort to balance the economic benefits of tourism and the quality of life for residents.

Those surveyed in Maui County gave much lower marks to these questions than their peers on other islands.

While the HTA believes the survey is a crucial part of the authority's strategic plan, several members think the survey can be improved.

Rather than have a set of predetermined questions, members say there should be an effort to ask community leaders their concerns. Those concerns should then be taken to survey participants in a question form.

Board member David Arakawa noted the authority is addressing the concerns of residents through destination management action plans for each county. He says the HTA needs to improve its communication with residents about its efforts going forward.

• General Hawaii

Hawaii travel news: New Hawaii vacation satisfaction survey results; Maui mayor has harsh words for visitors + more

• 3 minute read

* The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) commissioned a second survey to gauge overall trip satisfaction under the new Safe Travels program. (You can review our coverage of the first survey here .) In the latest survey, 82% rated their trip as “excellent.” That result was down by 3% compared to the previous survey. You can review the full results in well-organized slides here .

* That same HTA survey indicated 90% compliance in wearing a mask, which is in near alignment with the statewide mask-wearing observational metrics . Apparently, the mayor of Maui has different observations as he had some harsh words aimed at visitors in statements shared by Hawaii News Now :

“You see these people on the beach back here, they’re visitors and they’re not wearing masks,” he said. “I tell you right now, as far as I’m concerned if you can’t obey our rules, don’t come if you can’t wear a mask or do what is right.” He added, “I don’t care if you come from Texas, I don’t care if you come from Mississippi, or any state that doesn’t require it. Here in Hawaii and Maui County, it is a mandate.”

Per the statewide rule, face coverings are not required while outdoors when physical distance of six (6) feet from other individuals (who are not members of the same household/living unit/residence) can be maintained at all times. Maui County has some exceptions to the statewide rule as explained in this most recently released list of COVID-related rules issued from Maui County . Per page six of their 28-page long rule document,

“Within Maui County, this exception applies:

1. When persons are stationary and adequately separated, such as occupying a pool lounge chair, beach chair, or towel.

2. Face coverings must be worn while walking to and from the pool or beach area and may only be removed once the person is stationary and adequately separated from non-household members.

This exception does not apply, and face coverings are required:

1. On sidewalks, hiking trails, and in parks and similar areas, unless actively engaged in strenuous outdoor physical activity, provided adequate physical distancing is both possible and practiced.

2. In any open-air or partially open mall, marketplace, lobby, atrium, gas station, or similar facility.

3. Where specific facility rules, such as for sports, bars, and restaurants, are established.”

Many COVID prevention rules are buried in long documents full of “legalese” and cross-referencing to other long documents. We wonder if the face covering rules need better explanation in plain language and not stuck in long documents.

* On Hawaii’s Big Island, they’re considering modifying their COVID-19 testing of arriving travelers citing mounting costs per Hawaii News Now . The test they are referring to is the test conducted at the Big Island airports for arriving travelers. The pre-travel test will still be required. Out of a total of about 180,000 tests upon arrival, there were 165 positive  results.

* Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore is plans to reopen July 1, 2021 after a multi-million dollar renovation per the Star Advertiser . This resort is one of our Oahu favorites, so we’ll be excited to eventually see the renovated resort.

* Southwest Airlines announced they’re launching a pre-clearance program for travelers departing to Oahu and Maui from their five California gateway cities. Pre-clearance provides an option for travelers participating in the state’s pre-travel testing program to bypass the airport screening upon arrival in Hawaii.

Sheila Beal

Sheila Beal is the founder and editor of Go Visit Hawaii. You can connect with Sheila Beal on Twitter , Go Visit Hawaii on Facebook , or Instagram .

These people don’t even know the rules they themselves make. To suggest people wear masks whilst lounging on the beach borders on some level of clinical paranoia. Not to mention a large portion of the population is already vaccinated… if the question “What is really going on here?” hasn’t popped into your head yet… I don’t know what it’s going to take. Not saying people shouldn’t take precautions if they’re older/have a health condition or are around someone of that status, but, again, to scold people for not wearing a face mask on the beach is actual insanity.

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan. It’s common sense that a mask collects germs, body waste, and contaminants where they become more concentrated and tax the immune system. When breathing is restricted the oxygen is depleted, heart rate and blood pressure goes up, and thus one becomes more susceptible to all manner of illnesses – result: the “cure” is worse than the Covid scare disease (which by the way only has an overall fatality rate of 0.1% – most of the deaths are in crowded nursing homes). The purpose of the Covid scare is to suppress free speech, destroy one’s ability to communicate and develop social skills in a non-virtual community setting and to eventually inflict us with a totalitarian state. Because of the Covid scare (and whatever weird laws are that were recently enacted by the Hawaiian politicians) the owner of the private property we were renting on the north-east side of Oahu just canceled our reservation. We were to spend 2 days in Maui prior to this (late July). Now we have to cancel all our other respective reservations and do vacation elsewhere. Hard to make plans and implement them when ungodly government infringes on our God given liberties (an keeps moving the goal post).

If you are on a hiking trail and hiking or running anywhere outdoors can one assume that is “strenuous outdoor physical activity” and as long as you can maintain adequate physical distancing its ok? I don’t want to break the rules.

Jon – my guess is that the scenario you described is ok….and if it’s not, it very well should be. 🙂

We just came back to the mainland from a wonderful Maui vacation. We wore masks when around strangers, on the streets, in the stores , waiting at restaurants etc. even tho we were vaccinated and tested. It’s respect for others and the rules on the land we’re visiting. Just wear the mask for a little longer and this desease will pass, and less people will get sick and or die. Don’t let your last vacation, be your last vacation.

I bought a pre-paid Hilton vacation…but …I have since requested (and been granted) a change to another Hilton resort property. Hawaii is just too screwy right now. Maybe in a couple years the ‘crazy factor’ will have settled down and the average tourist won’t feel like he/she is walking on egg shells.

Best wishes to all.

My husband and I have a Maui trip planned for October. We are vaccinated. If there is still a mask mandate at the time of our vacation, we will cancel our 3 week vacation. This mask policy is insane. Maui is beautiful but not worth a vacation being ruined….yes ruined…by having to wear masks even after being vaccinated. Where’s the logic behind that anyway?

We are going to Hawaii, hopefully in October. If things are the same, we will put our mask on and still have a great time. And I’m sorry but if you go to another State or Country, you need to respect their rules.

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Tourism survey deadline is Friday

Residents have until Friday to submit their feedback on the visitor industry through a Hawaii Tourism Authority survey, the agency said Monday.

The ongoing survey is open to everyone in Hawaii and is part of the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan and Destination Management Action Plans. The documents are being prepared to help reshape the future of tourism for each island.

The last time a version of the survey was conducted for Hawaii was in 2019, and the research helped to develop the plans, HTA said.

“In order to develop the most accurate picture, it is important that you answer the questions as you see your island today,” HTA President and CEO John De Fries said in a news release. “Our hope is that the findings of this benchmark survey will continue to spark a thoughtful, productive conversation centered around our community’s needs and further guide our holistic approach to regenerative tourism for all of Hawaii.”

To access the survey, visit survey.alchemer.com/s3/6759076/State-of-Hawaii. All responses will remain anonymous.

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Hawaii To Tourists: Malama Our Land And Culture. Tourists: What’s ‘Malama’?

The Hawaii Tourism Authority wants $60 million for operations during the next fiscal year , with more than half of the money meant for branding. The goal: to attract more thoughtful, respectful tourists — well-heeled types who’ll volunteer their time giving back to the islands while connecting to the land, people and culture.

Maybe it’s unfair to ask vacationers what “Kalakaua” means, even when they’re standing on Kalakaua Avenue. But the HTA says its branding “focus is on pre- and post-visitor education in key visitor source markets about Hawai‘i’s value proposition and their kuleana to mālama our people and place when they visit the state.” So shouldn’t they know what “kuleana” and “malama” mean?

Our unscientific survey of tourists in Waikiki found … Well, the video log of our walkabout speaks for itself.

Asked about Civil Beat’s findings, the HTA said it just needs more time — in addition to about $34.2 million for branding for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.

Ilihia Gionson, an HTA spokesman, said branding is a long-term enterprise, noting the Malama Hawaii campaign started only eight months ago.

Gionson said the authority must reverse decades of recreation-focused branding to education on how to protect and care for Hawaii’s natural resources.

“The purpose is to help educate folks and build the understanding that this isn’t simply a playground in paradise,” he said. “This is a place with traditions, with long histories and a very rich living culture.”

Despite our anecdotal evidence, Lei-Ann Field with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau said media coverage, partner companies and paid advertisement have indeed gotten the word out.

The paid media included 30-second videos on the Golf Channel, digital ads on Amazon, Roku and Hulu and social posts on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Field’s outreach analytics also estimated that over $750,000 in free publicity came from news coverage from many organizations, including Forbes, Travel + Leisure and Good Morning America.

“ Hawaii’s Changing Economy ” is supported by a grant from the Hawaii Community Foundation as part of its CHANGE Framework project.

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Tourism Roars Back in Hawaii But It Looks Very Different As New Challenges Surface

Lebawit Lily Girma, Skift

June 9th, 2021 at 9:52 AM EDT

Experts say Hawaii's tourism officials are making a genuine effort to build back better, but this is where the rubber meets the road: Who will tackle Hawaii's overcrowding problem? And with legislators aiming to slash Hawaii Tourism Authority's funding and authority, how will a majority domestic tourism market impact Hawaii's travel industry?

A fragmented global tourism recovery has created the perfect storm for Hawaii to rank as one of the most in-demand destinations for American travelers this summer. It’s not the slow ramp-up that the Hawaii Tourism Authority had anticipated, nor a larger reopening in the midst of a global competition for travelers.

With major source markets including Asia, Oceania and Canada still restricted to travelers in both directions, plus the flow of disposable income from federal stimulus checks and controlled pandemic in Hawaii — west and east coast U.S. travelers are flocking to the archipelago.

“Tourism is back and it’s very American,” John De Fries, CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. “I would expect that summer in Hawaii is going to really match where we were in summer 2019; that’s a lot faster than any of us could have predicted.”

Close to a half million visitors flew to Hawaii in April, primarily from the mainland. The numbers are approaching the daily visitor average of 28,500 a day in 2019 — De Fries said that the last couple of weeks have averaged between 21,000 and 23,000 tourists a day.

Visitor spend for April reached $811 million, compared to $1.32 billion in April 2019.

Beyond the numbers, however, lies a more complex tourism rebound.

It’s a lower-spending and beach-focused domestic tourist that’s heading to Hawaii, which could have unintended consequences for its travel industry.

The rush also comes just as Hawaii Tourism Authority is facing a potential $20 million budget and authority slash, after months of being  knee deep into the work of “building back better .” Community-based destination management action plans are almost complete, identifying each island’s hotspots and priorities, and a regenerative tourism campaign launched this month.

House bill 862 aims to limit the tourism board’s role to marketing rather than funding cultural programs, citing accountability for pre-pandemic spending patterns. Hawaii Governor David Ige will either sign or veto the bill by June 21.

“That budget reduction is concerning but it’s not the end of the world, we anticipate a surplus that we will carry over of roughly $12 million,” De Fries said.

Of greater concern to De Fries are the future funding mechanism changes in the bill. The transient accommodation tax, which usually goes into a Hawaii Tourism Authority special fund, would move into the state’s general fund. Those tourism tax funds would then have to be spent within the fiscal year and left over monies wouldn’t roll over as in the past.

“This will affect Hawaii Tourism Authority’s multi-year contracts and having some level of certainty; those things preempt the normal flow of operations and business,” said De Fries.

The bill points to a disconnect in state legislators’ understanding of the tourism board’s expanded role in managing tourism beyond marketing, particularly since De Fries took over as CEO in September 2020 and began pushing for a community-based approach to tourism.

“It’s our responsibility to educate our own elected officials,” De Fries said. “But at the same time, if we don’t get up front and continue to try and reshape the stereotypes that have evolved over time in travel to Hawaii, we won’t be able to affect the kind of change that we seek.”

Residents are showing more faith that tourism reform can happen than they did six months ago, but there are looming legislative restrictions on the tourism board’s funding and authority — just as it tries to reinvent the wheel.

A New Regenerative Tourism Campaign Series

Hawaii’s tourism board released a new video series this month as part of the “Malama Hawaii” regenerative tourism campaign.

Each clip features a traditional practitioner or conservation leader telling the story of a key aspect of Hawaiian culture, from caring for fish ponds to farming and protecting forests and reefs.

Viewers are invited to come and “Malama” or care for Hawaii by learning about unique ways to connect and restore the destination beyond the tourist tropes.

De Fries said that it’s about communicating to the markets the different ways of life that are of value to Hawaiians, and at the same time, creating a new approach for those practitioners and non-profit organizations who are currently rebuilding their capacity after being impacted by the pandemic. Tourists volunteering will go towards that effort.

“The tourism industry in Hawaii has to be invited into those places, so we look forward for that to grow,” De Fries said. “Those videos are powerful because these are local people telling local stories and there are no better storytellers than local people telling their own stories.”

Some of the non-profits featured might have capacity for six tourists at a time, while others can handle up to 30 people at a time, De Fries added. ““It’s an introductory program on both sides of the equation — both for the visitor and for the host.”

The regenerative tourism campaign has resonated locally, and tourism marketers are also applauding the effort.

“It’s a great start,” said Frank Haas, president of Marketing Management, a travel and hospitality marketing consulting firm, and former dean of hospitality at Kapi’olani Community College.

Haas said that it was pushing back against “the curse of a strong brand,” and that people have this intense image of Hawaii as beaches and beautiful resorts that is hard to change.

“The campaign strikes a nice balance of education and inspiration through character-driven and community-led storytelling,” said Rob Holmes, founder and chief strategist at GLP Films , a content marketing agency focused on the travel industry and producing sustainable tourism storytelling campaigns. “That works really well in tourism because it taps into emotions and creates powerful connections.”

Holmes said that the tourism board should be commended for engaging stakeholders in the community and giving travelers the tools and inspiration to be part of the solution, while also reframing Hawaii’s measure of success by celebrating regeneration and preventing overtourism rather than pushing for more visitors.

For Haas, changing mindsets through social marketing takes time and as such, expectations need to be managed.

Meanwhile the initial phase of the Malama Hawaii campaign, which Skift reported earlier this year, continues with tourism stakeholders offering travel perks to visitors who sign up for regenerative tours.

“We’re proud to report that Kualoa Ranch is in high demand and reporting many fully sold-out dates and future booking demand for the package and the ranch itself through the entire summer,” said Sean Dee, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts , in a statement. “We plan to continue this program for years to come.”

Resident Attitudes

Just a week ago, the University of Hawaii Public Policy Center published the results of a new and independently run online survey measuring resident attitudes to destination management issues.

The survey was completed by 700 Hawaiian residents between April 16 and May 3. The findings, while not surprising to tourism experts, are a major nod to Hawaii Tourism Authority’s efforts in pushing for regenerative tourism and its ongoing work in creating a community-minded tourism economy through new DMAPs.

Among the survey’s most interesting data:

• 52 percent of residents are still in favor of a visitor cap on the islands if it were possible
• 57 percent said that if forced to choose between capping visitor counts to Hawaii or management of crowded areas, they would pick the latter
• 60 percent believe the government should control or regulate tourism more than other businesses, and 75 percent support regulation of short term rentals
• In a list of actions that the state could take to address tourism impacts, residents supported the most: informing tourists about “responsible visiting,” solving problems at overcrowded locations, and funding environmental groups “to repair damage” to natural resources caused by tourist use.

As for Hawaii tourism officials’ current track focusing on destination management, 35 percent said “keep the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and give it more authority to do its cultural, environmental and community work,” while nine percent chose eliminating the tourism board and marketing Hawaii altogether.

Backyard Tourism’s Potential Consequences

The international visitor has all but disappeared for Hawaii for the near future. Out of the near half million in April, just 10,842 came from Japan, Canada, Europe and other international markets.

According to Haas, there may be broader implications for Hawaii with international heads being replaced by domestic ones.

“What’s coming back is the domestic market and particularly the West Coast market, which has different spending patterns,” Haas said. “One of the issues that we’ve long had is an overall decline in visitors spending, especially when you adjust for inflation.”

With the higher end of the visitor market — the international traveler – in terms of daily spending now missing, the effects on the tourism economy are yet to be seen.

“So even though we’ve got this rapidly increasing volume of return visitors, we’re getting the visitors who tend to spend less — this has larger implications for tourism, from fewer stays in full service hotels versus short term rentals and in turn affecting employment.”

Another implication relates to the eventual return of the international markets, which are often wholesale driven. Will those markets be able to get room blocks when the international travel starts to come back, if rooms are going to be filled with fit domestic visitors?

Experts recently predicted that global tourism recovery would not take place until 2024 . With Hawaii ticking all the boxes as a nature-packed destination, plus American travelers focused on health and safety issues, the domestic tourism trend is likely to remain for the foreseeable future.

Regenerative Tourism Mission Transcends Agencies

Redirecting course for Hawaii long-term through regenerative tourism will require Hawaii’s tourism officials to work across various government agencies with jurisdiction over the archipelago’s natural resources.

“This whole Malama mindset is something that transcends our agencies; our efforts are being driven by having a different mindset about it rather than government agency to government agency,” De Fries said. “There is a philosophical foundation that is guiding us to collaborate more effectively.”

In its resident sentiment report, the University of Hawaii also concludes that “it may now be time for a truly systematic weighing of alternative approaches to tourism governance, though that should include the possibility of truly committing to HTA [Hawaii Tourism Authority] much as it is now or with selected improvements.”

Hawaii Tourism Authority’s detailed destination management action plans outline hotspots and aspirational goals for each island following multiple stakeholder and community meetings.

But there are no actual solutions proposed within the report itself. Haas said it’s because the Hawaii Tourism Authority does not have the power to make unilateral decisions on overcrowded sights overseen by other state agencies.

“The destination management action plans highlight the issues but they also suffer from the fact that Hawaii Tourism Authority does not have the authority, despite its name, to actually do something about that,” Haas said. “The rubber meets the road when you say who should do something about that and how and with what resources?

Haas said that the new resident sentiment survey — which he participated in — confirms this need, that someone, whether the tourism board or the governor, needs to be able to say how the management of tourism will happen.

For Haas, regenerative tourism is ultimately a long-haul effort. “It’s a slog and that’s why we really should have been doing management planning back when tourists were at five to six million; you can’t just snap your fingers because they’re foundational problems to be fixed over time.”

De Fries said that while visitor caps are not possible, efforts can be made to sensitize airlines, for instance, in terms of where future flights go and the destination management action plans provide a framework for developing new public policies.

For now, the tourism board will be expanding its local ambassador program to add guides and support in areas across Hawaii’s islands that tend to be overcrowded.

“I’m feeling optimistic but at the same time I’m feeling challenged because many of these campaigns and systems that we’re talking about require time to get them implemented,” De Fries said.

“We’re not going to have that ramp up that we had anticipated, but I’m encouraged by the way leaders in our industry and community have been responding.”

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Tags: coronavirus recovery , hawaii , hawaii tourism authority , overtourism , regenerative tourism , tourism

Photo credit: Tourism is bouncing back to Hawaii faster than tourism officials anticipated, just as a regenerative tourism campaign launches. Nicholas Tomasello / Hawaii Tourism Authority

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• Sage Data, powered by Data Planet Formerly Data-Planet Statistical Datasets, search 52 billion data points in over 6.2 billion datasets sourced from over 70 public and private data providers. Allows users to manipulate datasets, compare multiple indicators and multiple sources, chart trends over time, and spatially represent data without requiring additional software programs. Includes the EASI Analytics Market Planner module, as well as data from Zillow, Factset Corporate Fundamentals, US Stock Market Prices, and selected international market indices and exchanges.
• EIU Online Analysis and forecasting for economic, political and business environments of almost 200 countries. Include Country Reports, Country Commerce (business regulations), Country Finance, ViewsWire, Premium Country Access for China, Global Forecasting Service.
• IBISWorld UH Manoa Library subscription includes the Core NAICS US Industry Market Research Reports, US Specialized Industry Reports, Global Industry Reports, and China Industry Reports. Identifies business operating risks and opportunities within 700 industries at the 5-digit NAICS level. U.S. reports are fully updated three times per year on average.
• UNdata United Nations and other international organizations databases with single interface. Population, Industry, Energy, Trade and National Accounts.

      See also: Print resources

• Compendium of Tourism Statistics Call Number: Reference Collection, G155 .A1 T585
• World Air Transport Statistics Call Number: Reference Collection, HE9761.1 .W67
• << Previous: Books / Ebooks
• Next: Market Reports >>
• Last Updated: Apr 18, 2024 3:23 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/tim

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Public input sought on how to shape future management of Hawai‘i tourism

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority wants to know what you think the future of tourism management should look like in Hawai‘i.

A team is conducting research on how the governance of the state’s tourism industry can be shaped for long-term success. As a part of the process, Better Destinations is seeking input from the community, stakeholders and visitor industry representatives throughout the islands.

“Tourism remains our state’s top economic driver, fostering jobs and career growth for kama‘āina and ensuring the well-being of our communities,” said Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board chairman Mufi Hannemann. “We are not resting on our laurels. We must continue to evaluate our current systems, adapt to improve efficiencies and plan ahead to sustain a vibrant industry and future Hawai‘i.”

A website  was launched to provide information about the study. The site includes an online public survey. Anyone who has an interest in Hawai‘i tourism is invited to take the survey and share their thoughts.

Set to be delivered in May, the study aims to determine whether an alternative tourism governance system is necessary, identify areas that need reform and propose policy ideas and modifications to the state tourism authority to ensure better management.

The study will also identify the organizational structure required to support the strategic direction.

“This effort to gather diverse viewpoints is just the first step in the process,” said Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board member Stephanie Iona, who is also co-chairperson of the governance study permitted interaction group. “With the valuable insights we receive from our community, decision makers, industry stakeholders and leaders across Hawaiʻi, the [Hawai‘i Tourism Authority] board and our team will work to build a stronger, more regenerative tourism model for our sustainable future.”

Better Destinations is collaborating with Maui-based Karey Kapoi LLC to secure a wide range of input and participation in the study.

The consulting team also includes Place Generation co-founders Frank Cuypers and Elke Dens, as well as Denise Miller, executive vice president for leading tourism research firm SMARInsights.

“We are bringing together local and global expertise to explore possibilities for creating a strong, responsive system of governance of Hawai‘i tourism,” said Cathy Ritter, founder and CEO of Better Destinations. “Most importantly, we are engaging with the true experts — those who have an interest in the future of Hawai‘i tourism — to identify the best approach for providing long-term guidance and support for a regenerative tourism economy that benefits people and communities across Hawai‘i.”

Better Destinations has already started engagement with tourism leaders and operators, government decision-makers and representatives of community and cultural organizations on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui and the Big Island. The team is also conducting interviews and meetings with tourism authority staff, board members and stakeholders.

A situation analysis will be shared in April describing the findings of desktop research, U.S. and international case studies of destination governance, interviews and workshops along with initial survey findings.

“The information gathered through this study will be instrumental in strategically managing tourism for the betterment of Hawai‘i’s people and communities throughout the state,” said Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Interim President and CEO Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i. “This work of tailoring a governance structure that is designed specifically for Hawai‘i and our community’s needs is a large undertaking, and we encourage all residents to participate.”

For more information about the study, click here .

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Senators approve former Honolulu mayor as Hawaii Tourism Authority board chair

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Hawaii Tourism Authority board has a new leader.

Tuesday, the state Senate voted to approve former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman as HTA’s board chair.

He’ll now lead the 12-member board as they oversee how the agency spends its budget.

The Senate also confirmed Blaine Miyasato to HTA’s board.

He stepped down as chairman in December.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

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