From hotel openings to local politics, if it matters to Hawaiʻi, it lands here.
HTA faces more turbulence as its CEO seat sits vacant since 2023, staffing remains depleted, and lawmakers float cutting the top salary, raising fresh concerns about stability in Hawaiʻi’s tourism
HTA’s $5M request for Maui recovery funds is denied, with officials saying the crisis is no longer an “emergency,” even as Maui hotels sit at a troubling 60% occupancy.
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At The Hospitality Show Hawaiʻi, state and county leaders weighed in on taxes, union wages, enforcement gaps, and a convention center shutdown—offering hoteliers a candid legislative snapshot.
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HTA’s Spring Tourism Update delivered a flood of market insights, prompting calls for fresher formats—even as Sassato earned a shout-out for its tourism app study with Kilohana.
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HTA faces fresh upheaval as Mufi Hannemann resigns, leadership shifts again, and the CEO salary drops—fueling debate over whether the agency needs a reset, a rebuild, or a full reimagining.
The Hawaiʻi Convention Center’s $64M roof project now stretches to 2027, forcing HTA to reshuffle 18 major events and putting millions in group business at risk after years of legislative
HTA faces mounting turmoil, from late-payment investigations to racist-remarks allegations and a wave of senior resignations, as a bill to fold the agency into DBEDT nears the governor’s desk.
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HTA’s board is downgraded to advisory status under Act 132, shifting real power to the governor and Legislature as the agency searches for a permanent CEO and braces for more
HTA and HVCB launch a $6M “Maui Emergency Marketing Campaign” to revive arrivals, with wholesaler pushes, media blitzes, and offer programs aimed at driving meaningful booking lift.
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Convention Center roof repairs face yet another likely delay as DAGS takes over, raising fresh concerns for future group business and the long-term trust of meeting planners.
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All 12 HTA board members stepped down at the Governor’s request, stalling the CEO search and leaving the tourism agency operating without leadership amid mounting political uncertainty.
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Hawaiʻi’s new HTA advisory board is finally appointed, six weeks after the mass resignations, 12 members representing tourism, labor, culture, and community, with the urgent task of recommending a permanent
Hawaiʻi Convention Center’s $64M roof repair is set to begin Jan. 1, 2026, with completion expected in 2028. Eighteen major events have already been rescheduled as DAGS takes over project
Sen. Wakai summed it up bluntly: HTA can’t both grow tourism and police bad visitor behavior—marketing should stay with HTA, but stewardship belongs elsewhere.
HTA names David Uchiyama as Chief Administrative Officer. A seasoned industry vet returns to stabilize the agency amid staffing loss and scrutiny.
Takeaways from the HTA Annual Conference: Hawaiʻi added just 60 hotel rooms since 2006 while legal vacation rentals surged 839%. Convention Center repairs hit $162M with a hopeful, but questionable,
HTA and HVCB have shifted from Mālama messaging to the new “Hawaiʻi Stays With You” campaign, leaning into cinematic, shareable storytelling that feels more invitational, while raising questions about reach
Hawaiʻi’s new Green Fee promises funding for climate resilience and sustainable tourism, but with allocations still unclear, the real test will be whether residents can see tangible projects tied to
