Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority

A surprise at the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority: Blaine Miyasato has resigned as board chair to devote more time to his day job with Hawaiian Airlines.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority kicked off a two-day conference Monday morning at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center on Oʻahu. A good part of it will focus on the impact of the Maui wildfires — and working toward some kind of recovery for tourism.

House Subcommittee Testimony on Maui Fires; Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority's Conference and Maui Recovery; HPR's Cassie Ordonio on the rebranding of the state's art museum

So few tourists are going to Maui after last month's wildfires that restaurants and tour companies are laying off workers and unemployment is surging. State tourism officials initially urged travelers to stay away, but now want them to come back as long as they refrain from going to the burn zone and surrounding area.

HTA launched a community-based pilot program in Keaukaha two weeks ago to help manage the impacts of tourism on that particular community. HTA Public Affairs Officer Ilihia Gionson said the organization wants to expand its reach to other “hotspot” communities on the island.

Hawaiian Airlines executive Blaine Miyasato and former Kauaʻi legislator James Kunane Tokioka have been appointed by Gov. Josh Green to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s Board of Directors. HTA's board is comprised of 12 volunteer members who meet monthly to help guide tourism decisions, including the state's annual budget and marketing plan.

John De Fries, who took the helm of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority in September 2020, will not seek a contract extension when his term ends on Sept. 15.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement was awarded a $27 million contract from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority for destination stewardship. The Conversation spoke to CNHA CEO Kūhiō Lewis and Tyler Iokepa Gomes about what's ahead for tourism management.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority has awarded nearly $70 million to three vendors for destination stewardship services to market the islands to North American visitors. It’s the third time the state agency has awarded the contract since 2021. The last two contracts were rescinded after protests by the opposing bidder. HPR's Jason Ubay has more.

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority was shaken to its core during the legislative session as it narrowly avoided being shut down and replaced by an office under the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. The Conversation talked to former state Rep. James "Jimmy" Tokioka who was just nominated to lead DBEDT.