Global news for Hawaii kamaainas 

Hawaii Tourism Authority Budget Nearing Last Vote

HONOLULU, HAWAII — The final version of the bill which would make significant changes to the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s (HTA) budget is one step away from being sent to the governor for his signature. Unlikely, but the bill could still fail during the full Senate floor vote after the changes made during a conference committee last week. Should it pass, Governor David Ige could veto the legislation. The original bill was... Read More

Hawaii Legislature Seizes Control of Tourism Authority Budget

HONOLULU - After many years of “scathing” State audits, on April 27, 2018, the Hawaii State Legislature passed a bill during a conference committee which removes much of the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s (HTA) unfettered autonomy over how to spend its estimated $120 million annual budget. Several important questions remain including: 1) Will Hawaii Governor David Ige sign it? 2) What’s going to happen at the Senate confirmation hearing on Monday, April... Read More
kamaainas 

Hawaii Tourism funding shuttle service for Kauai north shore

HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s (HTA) board of directors on Thursday, April 26, approved emergency funding of $180,000 to support a free shuttle service to transport residents between Wainiha and Haena on Kauai’s north shore. The remote region, which is home to several hundred residents, has been completely cut off from vehicle access following record-setting rainfall on April 14 and 15 that caused widespread flooding and extensive property damage,... Read More
Global news for Hawaii kamaainas 

Hawaii “Tourism Industry Needs Better Planning, Not Budget Cuts”

The following op-ed was published by CivilBeat.org on April 18, 2018 Tourism Industry Needs Better Planning, Not Budget Cuts. The state needs to invest in marketing that strategically attracts the visitors who contribute to real economic impact. By Frank Haas“Frank Haas is president of Marketing Management, a consultancy focused on hospitality and tourism. In 2015, he helped the Hawaii Tourism Authority with its 2016 strategic plan.” Watching the evolution of Hawaii... Read More
kamaainas 

Another candidate throws his hat in the ring for Hawaii Governor

Clayton Hee, a former Hawaii State Senator, has announced that he has decided to run for Governor of the State of Hawaii. So far there are four people vying for the top political seat in the state:   Current Governor David Ige – the incumbent Colleen Hanabusa – currently a U.S. Representative Ernest Caravalho – formerly ran for Mayor of Honolulu in 2016 Clayton Hee   Alan Arakawa, the current Mayor... Read More
Global news for Hawaii 

PacRim Marketing Group and PRTech re-launch Chinese website about Hawaii

HONOLULU, Hawaii – PacRim Marketing Group and PRTech have redesigned their Chinese-language MyHawaii website and are hosting it on a server in China to increase loading speed and content quality. They also have re-branded it using the name, HAISHA (Having Fun in Hawaii), to resonate with Chinese travelers and attract them to Hawaii. The re-launch was facilitated in part by Tokyo-based Vector, Inc., one of the largest independent media communications firms... Read More
kamaainas Hawaii Tourism News 

Fate of Hawaii Tourism Authority Budget still unknown

HONOLULU: After many years of negative State audits, the 2018 audit of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) was described as “scathing” and highlighted specific insider deals, favoritism, non-bid contracts and a glaring lack of board oversight at the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Push finally come to shove with the introduction of companion House and Senate bills with the House version becoming the vehicle. A recent Senate Draft 2 was heard and passed... Read More
kamaainas 

HAWAII HOUSE BILL BANS “CONVERSION THERAPY”

April 10, 2018 HAWAII HOUSE BILL BANS “CONVERSION THERAPY” By Scott Foster HONOLULU: Today, the Hawaii House of Representatives passed an amended Senate Bill (Senate Bill SB 270) which would ban the abusive practice of so-called “Conversion Therapy” which has been falsely claimed “to make Gay people straight.” Because the House added several amendments, it will still need to pass a conference committee before it can be sent to Hawaii Governor... Read More
News for Visitors 

Want to experience the real Hawaii? Visit Molokai

People who live on the island of Molokai in Hawaii will tell you that this tiny island is the real Hawaii: no high-rises, no chain restaurants, no tiki bars - just Hawaii as it has been for centuries. And now, tourists can enjoy this island paradise with even more comfort and style. While everyone else was spring cleaning, The Hotel Molokai was celebrating the season by creating an oasis in its... Read More
kamaainas 

Tech and manufacturing companies contributed more than $1 billion to Hawaii economy

Local small businesses boosted the Aloha state’s economy with an estimated total economic impact of $1.05 billion in 2017, according to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) Annual Economic Impact Report of companies benefiting from HTDC programs. The economic benefit calculation is based on a multiplier that includes direct revenue, spending by the company, and employees’ spending. The state received $48.69 million in taxes generated. Approximately 71 percent of the 211... Read More
Hawaii Tourism News kamaainas 

Hawaii Tourism Authority President Szigeti: Cutting funding unnecessary

The Hawaii Tourism Authority  (HTA) was caught red handed with a mountain of problems, ineffectiveness and favorism after a less-than-favorable audit.  Hawaii lawmakers are pushing to hold the Hawaii Tourism Authority more accountable through a bill that would slash the state agency’s funding. HTA President and CEO George Szigeti was under impressions, last year’s record tourism results — the 9.4 million visitors who came to Hawaii and the $16.8 billion that... Read More
News for Visitors kamaainas 

It’s time for Hawaii’s SPAM-tastic event: Waikiki SPAM JAM® Festival!

Hawaii’s favorite cuisine will gather 30,000 SPAM® fans for the 16th annual foodie festival, because in Hawaii there is no such thing as too much SPAM®! It is Hawaii’s largest street festival ever. The signature sizzle and tantalizing aroma of the state’s beloved food will fill the air at the 16th annual Waikiki SPAM JAM® Festival presented by Outrigger Resorts, on April 28. This festival is a testament to the Aloha State’s... Read More
kamaainas Hawaii Tourism News 

Personal gain for Hawaii Senator Donovan Dela Cruz through tourism projects?

A Hawaii state senator recently supported a bill to take more than $40 million away from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, a state agency that had denied the private company where he works an estimated $3.5 million worth of contracts over the last year. Senate Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D-Wahiawa) is a vice president for communications and minority owner at DTL Hawaii, an offshoot of WCIT Architecture,... Read More
kamaainas 

Hawai`i Becoming the 7th Jurisdiction in the US To Enact Medical Aid In Dying Legislation

“TO BE OR NOT TO BE” WILL BE A VALID QUESTION IN HAWAI`I AS DEATH WITH DIGNITY BECOMES LAW Hawaii Becoming the 7th Jurisdiction in the US To Enact Medical Aid In Dying Legislation By Scott Foster Medical Aid In Dying, “the defining civil rights struggle of our time,” will be signed into law by Hawai`i Governor David Ige at 10:30 AM Hawai`i Time on Thursday, April 5th. Hawaii Will Become... Read More