Hawaii Small Business kamaainas 

Hawaii Small Business Regulatory Review Board commemorates 20th anniversary

The Hawaii Small Business Regulatory Review Board (SBRRB) is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The SBRRB is the “watchdog” for the more than 128,000 small businesses in that may be impacted by rules and regulations promulgated by state and county agencies. Small businesses in Hawaii employ more than 52 percent of the private workforce in the state. Their primary role is to provide recommendations to the Office of the Governor, the Hawaii... Read More
Hawaii Tourism Authority Hawaii Tourism News 

Hawaii Tourism Authority: 3 new executives wanted

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is actively seeking applicants to be considered for the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, and Vice President of Marketing and Product Development. The Hawaii Tourism Authority is the State of Hawaii agency responsible for managing tourism, and today it initiated the process to identify and appoint executives to fill 3 key leadership positions. On June 29, the Hawaii Tourism Authority board... Read More
Hawaii Hawaii Tourism News 

Hawaii ranks high compared to international “sun and sea” destinations

Sun and sea destinations abound around the globe, but time and time again, the Aloha state of Hawaii ranks at the top for chosen ocean holidays. Hawaii hotels statewide recorded the highest revenue per available room (RevPAR) and average daily rate (ADR) of the top U.S. markets in the first six months of 2018, according to the Hawaii Hotel Performance Report released today by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA). Year-to-date, RevPAR... Read More
Global news for Hawaii kamaainas 

Jones Act Back In The National News

The Cato Institute is an American libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, DC which was founded as the Charles Koch Foundation in 1974. Cato was established to have a focus on public advocacy, media exposure and societal influence. According to the 2017 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report (Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program, University of Pennsylvania), Cato is number 15 in the "Top Think Tanks Worldwide" and number 10... Read More
Waikiki healthy eating News for Visitors Hawaii Tourism News kamaainas 

Famous Hawaii North Shore eatery brings its healthy fare to Waikiki

Offering fresh grinds, delicious drinks, and good vibes – The Sunrise Shack – has a new home at the entrance of Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. The brightly-decorated eatery opened this month and features a superfood-charged menu, from refreshing papaya bowls to energizing bullet coffee.   With its mission to help people “feel happy healthy and strong” – The Sunrise Shack is a brainchild of some of Hawaii’s top surfers: the Smith... Read More
Hawaii volcano kamaainas 

Frequently asked questions answered about Hawaii volcano and earthquake recovery

The Federal Assistance and Disaster Recovery Centers answer frequently asked questions about Hawaii volcano and earthquake help. Q: Does it usually take more than two months after a disaster to receive additional FEMA assistance? A disaster declaration was approved on May 8, 2018 for Public Assistance, which provides reimbursement to state and local agencies for repairs to damaged public infrastructure and costs incurred for responding to the disaster. At that time,... Read More
Keeau Disaster Recovery Center kamaainas 

Keaau Disaster Recovery Center will close on Sundays

The Keeau Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will close on Sundays beginning July 22. Weekdays, the DRC will remain open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to help Hawaii County residents who suffered losses from the Kilauea eruptions and earthquakes. The center will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located at Keaau High School Gymnasium, 16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Rd., the center is staffed by representatives of FEMA, the U.S.... Read More
Turtle Bay Resort Hawaii Tourism News 

Benchmark appoints new Director of Sales and Marketing for Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu

Benchmark, a global hospitality company, has appointed Jon Conching director of sales and marketing for Turtle Bay Resort. The Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property is located on Oahu’s legendary North Shore. Jerry Gibson, Benchmark’s vice president and managing director for the resort, made the announcement. “It is indeed a pleasure to formally welcome Jon to Benchmark and to Turtle Bay Resort,” said Mr. Gibson. “His multi-decade highly successful career and business... Read More
Hawaii weather kamaainas 

Federal Disaster Assistance for Hawaii weather crises recovery tops $2.5 million

Recovery from the April severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides, in the City and County of Honolulu and Kaua’i County due to severe Hawaii weather is underway. On June 27, 2018, individuals and households were immediately able to begin registering for federal assistance. To date, more than $2.5 million in state and federal assistance grants to individuals and households has been approved. As of close of business Monday, July 16, nearly... Read More
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters News for Visitors 

Blue Hawaiian Helicopters offers special promotion in honor of World Helicopter Day

To commemorate World Helicopter Day, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is offering guests a 15% discount on all helicopter tours that occur on Sunday, August 19, 2018. This special offer is valid for any helicopter tours that day on Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Island of Hawaii (Big Island). A portion of the proceeds from the special promotion will benefit Hawaii’s Make-A-Wish Foundation. “We join the helicopter industry across the globe in celebrating this... Read More
kilauea volcano kamaainas 

FEMA Individual Assistance program supports Kilauea volcano recovery

Individual Assistance (IA) provides financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households who have uninsured and underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. The program is intended to meet basic needs and help residents get back on their feet, important to Kilauea volcano survivors. • FEMA’s Rental Assistance is provided to the survivor to temporarily rent housing for their entire household. • Home Repair Assistance helps with essential repairs to... Read More
Hawaii overtourism Global news for Hawaii kamaainas 

Hawaii overtourism: The reality

Frank Haas is the President of Marketing Management, a consultancy focused on travel and tourism in Hawaii and internationally. Haas is the former Dean and currently lectures at Kapi‘olani Community College’s Hospitality program. His experience includes executive positions in higher education, tourism and hospitality, food service, advertising, and high technology. Haas served as Vice President and Director of Marketing for the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) and was responsible for $50 million... Read More
Hawaii kamaainas 

SBA tops $10 million in Hawaii disaster assistance loans

Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West announced today that SBA has approved $10.2 million in Hawaii federal disaster loans for businesses and residents impacted by Kilauea volcanic eruption and earthquakes that began on May 3, 2018. According to Garfield, SBA has approved $989,500 for businesses and $9,211,900 for residents to help rebuild and recover from this disaster. “SBA’s disaster assistance employees are committed... Read More
Hawaii Disaster Recovery Center kamaainas 

Advice on building back stronger available at Hawaii Disaster Recovery Center

FEMA recovery experts at the Keaau Hawaii Disaster Recovery Center are offering residents advice on building back stronger from disaster damage and tips on retrofitting to protect against earthquake damage. Whether from wind, fire, flooding or earthquake, FEMA specialists can offer advice on how to rebuild and how to prepare for multiple hazards. With a focus on the recent earthquake activity, a “continuous load path” model is on display at the... Read More
Big Island of Hawaii kamaainas 

Businesses and nonprofit organizations find low-interest disaster loans to be smart business

Businesses and nonprofit organizations on the Big Island of Hawaii are finding that applying for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration can be a smart business decision. Disaster loans provide funding for business owners (including landlords) and private nonprofit organizations with their recovery and are being used to: • Repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed property and business assets, such as equipment and inventory; • Economic... Read More