Senate Bill 1571 was signed into law (Act 132), and HTA’s board has officially been downgraded to “advisory” status, stripped of policy-making authority, with HTA being folded deeper into the arms of the executive branch, with a side of legislative oversight.
The CEO no longer answers to the board. Instead, they report directly to the governor, and their appointment requires Senate confirmation. The board still nominates the CEO, but let’s be real, this isn’t their show anymore.
Other notable shakeups:
- DBEDT’s mandatory seat on the board? Gone. Now, at least one board member must represent a “tourism-impacted entity”—translation: someone who sees the visitor industry’s effects up close.
- The Senate President and House Speaker now get board picks, giving the Legislature more say than ever.
- And HTA must write a contract for the CEO’s term, which sounds basic but apparently wasn’t standard practice.
For now, HTA’s still hunting for a permanent CEO. Interim CEO Caroline Anderson is holding the reins after Daniel Nāhoʻopiʻi’s exit to JLL, while board chair Todd Apo stepped in post-Mufi, who left the chairmanship amid an audit, but still holds a board seat (whew!). Who will make up the board going forward (and who will want to serve) is anyone’s guess.
HTA Powers and Operations
The HTA retains many operational functions (e.g., contracts, promotions, staffing) but must now coordinate more directly through its CEO with the Governor and Legislature.
Bottom line: HTA isn’t dead, but it’s now boxed in by legislative rails and executive oversight. Because, you know, more bureaucracy always helps things. The drama continues into season 27 (established in 1998).
