Mufi Hannemann announced he’s retiring from the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association (HLTA) after more than a decade leading the organization.
Supporters point to successes such as the Charity Walk, scholarship initiatives, and workforce development during his tenure. Critics, however, have been far less sentimental, arguing that HLTA became increasingly politicized under his leadership, drifted from its core role of hotel advocacy and member support, and created such a deep rift with AHLA that the Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance was eventually formed, in part, to give hotels a stronger direct advocacy voice alongside AHLA.
His later entanglement in the ongoing HTA board drama, including his resignation as chair following controversy over the state audit and convention center usage issues (see past HHH issue), only reinforced the perception that HTA had become increasingly dysfunctional.
His departure also raises a bigger question: what exactly should HLTA be going forward? An advocacy organization? A workforce and community-focused nonprofit? Both? And the next CEO, assuming there is one, inherits an organization facing some existential questions.
For those playing at home and drowning in Hawaiʻi tourism acronyms:
- HLTA: Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association (see above)
- HHA: Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance, a newer hotel-focused advocacy group aligned with AHLA
- HVCB: Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau, contracted by HTA to market Hawai’i
- HTA: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, the state agency overseeing tourism strategy, contracts, and destination management (Part of DBEDT)
- HTA Board: The governor-appointed volunteer advisory board
