Travel Weekly’s Hawaiʻi Leadership Forum delivered familiar insights, but calls for fresher voices grew louder as HVCB’s Aaron Salā pushed for regenerative tourism over recycled talking points.
Summer Seats Slippin Away
Summer air seats to Hawaiʻi are projected to drop 7–8% as Alaska pulls flights and Hawaiian backfills, leaving the Islands more dependent than ever on shrinking mainland lift.
Illegal Rentals: Big Fines, Tiny Collections
Honolulu collected just 4% of $29M in illegal rental fines last year, prompting the city’s first-ever foreclosure attempt as officials crack down on operators rivaling full-sized hotels.
Airbnb Donates $1M to Hawaiʻi Foodbank—Altruism or Optics?
Airbnb donates $1M to Hawaiʻi Foodbank, one of its largest gifts ever, providing two million meals amid questions over whether the gesture softens ongoing backlash around housing and tourism.
We Broke Our Own Record!
Hawaiʻi’s TAT jumps again in 2026, pushing visitor taxes past world-leading levels and adding cruise passengers to the mix, as lawmakers earmark new revenue for climate resilience.
Rainbow Tower and Waikoloa Reno’s
Park Hotels invests big in Hawaiʻi, completing phase one of the Rainbow Tower’s $83M refresh and advancing a $68M Palace Tower renovation at Waikoloa, with both projects targeting 2026.
Ben Rafter At It Again
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.
