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.
Roof Work Kicks Off Jan 1 (Hopefully), Done by 2028 (Fingers Crossed)
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 management.
Hold the Presses!!!
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 CEO.
And Then There Were None
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.
Convention Center Construction Delays? Shocking!
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.
Marketing Help for Maui
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.
Who’s Steering the Canoe?
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 oversight.
In this issue of “As the HTA Turns”
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.
Construction Delays? Who could have imagined?
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 delays.
Move Over White Lotus — HTA Delivers the Real Island Drama
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.
