Ben Rafter leads the newly merged Springboard–Hotel Equities powerhouse, creating a 250-property management company that blends branded strength with indie lifestyle expertise.
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.
Moana, Ka Laʻi, Fairmont Roll Out $250M+ in Hawaiʻi Hotel Renovations
Waikīkī’s Moana Surfrider, Ka Laʻi, and the Fairmont Orchid roll out more than $250M in renovations, marking major upgrades across Hawaiʻi—from historic makeovers to Gold Floor luxury.
PacRim’s Next Chapter: Dave Erdman Steps Down as CEO, VectorUSA Emerges
PacRim Marketing Group CEO Dave Erdman steps down after decades guiding hotels in Asia-Pacific markets, as Vector’s Toshinari Katsura takes the helm under the new VectorUSA brand.
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.
Mainland Carriers Expand Hawaiʻi Routes — But Will the Boom Last?
Delta and American ramp up winter service to Hawaiʻi with new mainland routes, betting on continued demand—even as economic headwinds raise doubts about how long the boom will last.
Maui’s Vacation Rental Crackdown Stalls
Maui’s plan to phase out 7,000 vacation rentals is stalled as the County Council awaits impact data, leaving the island’s housing crisis and visitor market in an uneasy holding pattern.
Politician Math
Hawaiʻi lawmakers weigh a 1.75-point TAT hike that pushes visitor taxes to nearly 20%, plus a $20 nightly fee on loyalty stays—highlighting how “politician math” masks a 17% tax jump.
HTA 2025 Spring Tourism Update
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.
