Mufi Hannemann’s retirement from the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association caps a divisive decade of leadership, raising existential questions about the organization’s future purpose and its role in industry advocacy.
Speed Lawmaking, Hawaiʻi Style: Final Scorecard
The conclusion of Hawaiʻi’s legislative session brings mixed outcomes for tourism bills, with HTA surviving under a weakened mandate, underscoring the industry’s ongoing vulnerability to political budget fights and shifting priorities.
And our final fun at the legislature, Green Fee Sleight of Hand
Hawaiʻi lawmakers are heavily modifying the Green Fee’s initial project recommendations during budget negotiations, reinforcing industry concerns that the dedicated environmental tax is morphing into a general state spending pool.
Leadership Shuffle at Waikīkī’s Biggest Hotels?
The sudden dual General Manager vacancy at the Moana Surfrider and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani sparks rumors of high-profile executive transitions, signaling a major upcoming reshuffle across Waikīkī’s top hospitality leadership.
Fairmont Orchid Names Todd Temperly as General Manager
Fairmont Orchid’s appointment of Todd Temperly as General Manager returns experienced leadership to the Kohala Coast, signaling a strategic push to elevate operations at the luxury resort.
Uber + Expedia: The Super App Chase Continues
Uber’s integration of Expedia hotel bookings into its app signals a renewed push for a Western super app, raising questions about consumer adoption and the future of consolidated travel distribution.
Airbnb Continues Its March Into the Hotel Business
Airbnb is expanding its hotel inventory and utilizing AI-driven personalization to blend search results, signaling a direct challenge to established OTAs and raising questions about the future of commission structures.
![[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #3297](https://hawaiihotelhui.com/wp-content/uploads/Google_Toll-503x282.jpg)
Google Now Knows Which Bed You Want
Google’s new AI travel planning and price-tracking tools solidify its position as an unavoidable infrastructure layer, raising critical questions about how hotels will maintain visibility and navigate expanding gatekeeper costs.
![[Aggregator] Downloaded image for imported item #3297](https://hawaiihotelhui.com/wp-content/uploads/HHHI_May_Issue_2_2026-503x282.png)
Mufi’s Out, Two Hotels One Building, and Uber Checks In
Mufi bows out, the Green Fee gets hijacked, Hyatt hits ‘Ewa, and Google builds a bigger AI tollbooth.
Nothing Says Luxury Like a Mall Parking Lot
New high-end proposals for Lānaʻi and Ala Moana highlight a push toward luxury growth despite Oʻahu’s aging hotel inventory, underscoring the challenge of scaling premium supply in a constrained market.
