Recent leadership departures and the appointment of John Dominguez at OUTRIGGER Kona Resort highlight corporate executive shifts, underscoring the brand’s reliance on veteran regional expertise to maintain commercial stability.
Too Risky for Residents, Just Right for Guests
Maui’s approval to tie hotel rezoning eligibility to sea-level rise risks allows thousands of short-term units to pursue permanent hotel status, undermining key residential housing conversion goals under Bill 9.
The Beach Is Public. The Park Isn’t.
The expiration of Hawaiʻi County’s lease at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach has forced facility closures, underscoring the ongoing operational vulnerabilities of maintaining public visitor infrastructure on privately owned coastal lands.
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Hotels That May Never Happen and Remembering the General
Delays on the Ala Moana tower extension and Nan Inc.’s complex Honolulu land acquisition highlight the lingering execution risks facing new high-density Hawaiʻi hotel developments.
The Storm Passes. The Message Doesn’t… And no, Honolulu is not on the Big Island.
Recent severe weather and viral media incidents highlight Hawaiʻi’s persistent visitor messaging challenges, underscoring the need for proactive destination management to combat geographic confusion and safeguard tourism demand.
Value Over Volume: But What’s the Right Volume?
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s new strategic plan doubles down on a value-over-volume model, raising critical questions about how reduced visitor arrivals will economically impact broader non-luxury hospitality businesses.
Grand Wailea: New Boss. Same For-Sale Sign?
The Grand Wailea has appointed hospitality veteran Jon Gersonde as managing director, bringing seasoned local leadership to the resort as owner Blackstone continues navigating a potential $1.6 billion sale.
Nothing Says Aloha Like a Gun-Free Zone Sign
A Supreme Court ruling flipped Hawaiʻi’s default firearm ban, requiring hotels to post explicit signage to restrict guns, underscoring the operational need for staff enforcement training.
Renovate, Raise Rates, Repeat? Not So Fast.
Strong earnings from Hilton Hawaiian Village illustrate the direct returns of major property updates, highlighting the strategic debate over whether hotel renovations genuinely drive new rate growth or simply protect current market positioning.
One GM Two Hotels and More Moves
Recent executive appointments across major Hawaiian resorts and tourism boards highlight strategic leadership transitions aimed at driving operational growth and strengthening key regional industry relationships.
