Tourism

The Conversation talked to Jimmy Tokioka, who is the director of the state Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism, about the next steps to reorganize the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. He shared that efforts are underway not only to select a new board but also a new Chief Executive Officer.

Former Gov. of Hawaiʻi Ben Cayetano and Waikiki Improvement Association president Rick Egged spoke to The Conversation's Catherine Cruz about the creation of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority as a separate entity in 1998, and the work accomplished over its 27-year history.

University of Hawaiʻi's Institute for Astronomy Director Doug Simons discusses the proposed federal funding cuts to science; Former Gov. Ben Cayetano reflects on the origin of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority as the agency faces restructuring

Hilton is extending its reach in Hawaiʻi. The global hotel company has been expanding its footprint in the islands with new brands, and there are more to come. We get more on that story from Pacific Business News Editor-in-Chief Janis Magin.

The Conversation's Catherine Cruz spoke to Erik Kloninger of Aloha Hospitality Consulting about economic impact of STRs on Hawaiʻi Island.

Erik Kloninger, Director of Finance at Aloha Hospitality Consulting, provides a snapshot on the economic impact of short-term vacation rentals on Hawaiʻi Island; Filmmaker Sayla Whalen discusses her debut film "First Comes Love," which is screening as part of the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival

State lawmakers on Monday grilled HTA for its lack of progress to improve the state's tourism industry, its handling of tourism-related contracts and internal operations. This comes after Gov. Josh Green reportedly plans on asking all the members of the board to resign.

A Maui decision over whether to phase out certain vacation rental units has drawn controversy and division within the community. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports on a discussion over free speech that arose in a recent hearing.

HPR's Bill Dorman reports on how the recent U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran affect military operations in the Indo-Pacific region; The University of Hawaiʻi names a new athletics director;

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen wants to increase the number of rental units available for locals. Opponents say that would hurt tourism and local jobs.