The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) just hit another roadblock. Its request for $5 million in emergency funds to support Maui’s tourism recovery was denied, with state officials arguing the downturn no longer qualifies as an “emergency.” DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka refused to sign off, saying, “This is 18 months later—it’s not an emergency.” Eighteen months later might not meet the definition of an “emergency,” but to us hoteliers, 60% occupancy in Maui is considered an emergency!
Meanwhile, House Tourism Chair Rep. Adrian Tam introduced a bill (HB 447) to limit HTA’s access to emergency funds further, arguing that marketing shouldn’t come from this pot.
