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Photo Credit: (HTA)/Heather Goodman
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Ho‘okahi ka ‘ilau like ana.
"Wield the paddles together."
Work together.
‘Ōlelo no‘eau 1068
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Aloha HVCB Members,
Summer passenger arrivals are proving that the pent-up demand for travel is real. Travelers are feeling more confident about travel, the latest destination analysts reports shows that more than 80% of Americans are in a travel ready state of mind.
As the Safe Travels Program requirements continue to be eased, we can expect more traffic to, from and within the State. State and County protocols are shifting at a much faster pace and it is imperative that the industry stay up to date on the changes. Our teams continue to assist with educating residents, visitors, and industry partners on the requirements.
Governor Ige announced that he would end the Safe Travels program when the State of Hawaii has reached a rate of 70% of the population being vaccinated. We encourage our industry partners to support your team members in getting vaccinated. To this, we applaud our members, Queen’s Health Systems and the International Market Place for their recent efforts to collaborate with industry stakeholders and provide a vaccination site in our Waikiki community.
In alignment with the launch of the Malama marketing campaign, a new co-op program was released mid-May. A special mahalo goes out to all our members who helped to support this program and drive visitors to the destination.
HVCB’s new destination app and kiosk program will launch at the end of the month. Please watch for information on how you can learn more about the value of this program and ways that you are able to engage with the benefits.
Gearing up for post-summer bookings, HVCB is launching a refreshed kamaaina program in the first week of July. If you’d like to participate, please contact the membership department at membership@hvcb.org.
We have navigated the most uncharted waters in the history of Hawaii tourism, but through our partnerships, we know we will come back a stronger and more mindful destination. It is our privilege to work with you.
Until next month...
Mahalo for all you do,
John Monahan, President & CEO, and the HVCB Team
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Welcome to Our New Members
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This month’s member spotlight is Rachel Klier, nominated by Richard Elliott, General Manager of Hyatt Centric Waikiki, and chosen by an independent committee of HVCB team members.
Rachel has been employed at Hyatt Centric Waikiki since December 2016. Rachel has consistently demonstrated a high degree of care for guests and colleagues. After an 8-month closure, the hotel reopened in November of last year. Knowing that it would take time to ramp up, and as such, we would have to reimagine the way we operate the hotel, Rachel came up with a great way of servicing our guests while providing a great sense of aloha during their stay. Instead of saying this is how we have always done things, Rachel thought outside the box and suggested ways to do things different. For example, the property opened with no valet or bell services. The staff providing these services also handled the issuance of the beach gear and towels for guests. Knowing that our guests would still need their beach gear, Rachel suggested and put into place a self-serve station at the Front Desk. This has been a big hit with guests, and they enjoy having the ease and flexibility of getting their own beach gear. The idea has helped us to operate more efficiently since reopening. Rachel embodies the Aloha Spirit. She is loved by guests and colleagues.
Learn how you can nominate an individual, or group, of a member company for a future Member Spotlight Here ►
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We want to hear from you! What market are you currently looking to reach? (Select all that apply)
After responding, if you need to make a change, click here.
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2021 Statewide Digital Co-Op
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HVCB, with the support of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, recently launched a statewide cooperative marketing program to drive consideration and bookings to Hawaii from the U.S. domestic market. Consumers are being directed to special offers on hotels and flights to the Hawaiian Islands with the message that there's never been a better time to enjoy and malama Hawaii, the local culture and community.
Please visit HawaiiSpecialOffers.com to view the co-op. Mahalo to all our members who partnered with us to make this possible. If you are interested in participating in a fall co-op, please contact Gina Chun, Sr. Director, Advertising and Marketing Programs at gchun@hvcb.org.
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Kamaaina Special Offers Program
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It’s time to explore, rejuvenate, and reconnect! Invite our Kamaaina to take time to malama, to know each island, the local culture and community.
TIMEFRAME: The program will go live during the first week of July, and the offer should be valid from July through December. Blackout dates are permitted.
COST: For a limited time only, this is being provided to you as a benefit of your HVCB membership. There is no cost to participate.
DEADLINE: Submit your offer by the last Friday of the month and it will be posted by the first Friday of the following month. Last day for submissions is November 26. For questions, please contact Armida York at ayork@hvcb.org.
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Visitors from around the world come to experience the breathtaking beauty of these islands as well as the warmth of her people. However, at the core of the destination are the values, culture and language of the indigenous people. Allow HVCB to assist you with the very best representation through our newly offered Members Only cultural services.
Learn More Here ►
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Reminder that access to Hanalei Town and beyond remains limited with recent updates to the schedule. Anyone wishing to access this part of the island should be sure to check the website: https://hidot.hawaii.gov/2021-hanalei-hill-landslide/
Transportation options other than rental cars and taxis for getting to/from the airport and other locations are being offered by Roberts Hawaii, Kauai Luxury Transportation and SpeediShuttle.
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- Kauai Culinary Market at the Shops at Kukuiula – every Wednesday
- Kanikapila at Kukuiula – every Friday
- Old Koloa Town Market – every 3rd Saturday
- Coconut Marketplace Farmers Market – every Tuesday & Thursday
- Puhi Park Produce by Grove Farm – every Saturday
- Pau Hana Market – every Monday at Kukui Grove
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OVB Public Relations & Communications
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Consumer eNewsletter
- OVB distributed a Malama themed consumer enewsletter on June 2.
OVB Media eNewsletter
- Malama news media was distributed May 25.
- The quarterly media eNewsletter was distributed June 15. If you have future news or updates to share with media, please send to Joy Goto (joy@strykerweiner.com).
Visiting Media
OVB, in collaboration with HVCB and the other Island Chapters, continues to assist upcoming media visits to Oahu, ensuring that our media partners understand our positioning and are directed to appropriate experiences and places. June and July media include:
- Michele Bigley is a writer for SFGate and visited the island of Oahu from June 10 – 16. She has a confirmed assignment focused on fully regenerative travel.
- Kylie Ruffino is a writer for Budget Travel and recently visited the island of Oahu from June 11 – 15. She intends to produce 2-3 stories from this trip, with a focus on Malama Hawaii, regenerative travel, culture and history.
- Carolyn Richardson is a contributor for TripSavvy, LA Parent and LA Times and she will be visiting the island of Oahu from June 21 – 26. She has confirmed assignments with TripSavvy and LA Parent, and will pitch LA Times and will cover Malama Hawaii in her stories. There will be a personal angle to the LA Parent story focused on a new perspective on family travel - finding ways for single parents to enjoy family vacations.
- Deborah Perry Piscione is a contributor for ForbesWomen and will be visiting the island of Oahu from June 23 – July 4. She has a confirmed assignment that will focus on businesswomen taking the time to decompress.
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Travel Advisor Education – Webinars
Travel Advisor education has been the cornerstone of OVB’s sales efforts. The importance of educating agents on the destination and teaching them how best to position Oahu authentically and respectfully has been a priority at OVB.
- OVB assisted with the Norcal Hawaii Ohana: Oahu Educational FAM that occurred May 20 – 24 by providing itinerary support and Zoom destination training on May 19 for the 6 participants.
- OVB is working with Hawaiian Airlines in a collaborative HA & Oahu May Mahalo Month 2-part webinar series. OVB trained 233 travel advisors on May 19 with a Oahu Travel Protocols and Destination Updates webinar and will conduct the next webinar on June 9.
- OVB conducted a Mahalo Monday (Mailpound) update webinar on June 7
- In May, OVB trained travel advisors on the second of the 2-part training strategy, from Travel Leaders (May 4 – 60 advisors), Apple Leisure Group (May 26) and Pleasant Holidays (May 26 – 47 advisors). Note, the Resorts of Hawaii webinar scheduled on May 27 is being rescheduled to June (date TBA).
Trade eCommunications
- A malama themed agent enewsletter was distributed to agents on June 15.
Trade Events
- OVB participated in The Hawaiian Islands: Malama Hawaii, a Virtual Educational Event on May 12 and 13.
- OVB will be participating in GTM at Fort Lauderdale on July 8 – 10.
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OVB continues to support the Meet Hawaii team.
In other areas
OVB has been working closely with HTA, C&C of Honolulu and a selected steering committee on developing Destination Management Action Plans (DMAP’s). Community presentations were held on May 4 and 5. Reviews and approvals of action plans with community feedback will be done on June 10 and June 25.
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Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau
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MVCB recently hosted a Dive into Maui Nui press trip on Maui and Lanai with media representing SFGate.com, JustLuxe, Avid Lifestyle, KRON2 San Francisco and TravelAge West. Highlights included a Malama Hawaii experiences at Kipuka Olowalu with Ekolu Lindsey and the Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Project with Andrea Buckman; a Maui Kuia Estate Chocolate Tour, Kiawe Outdoor dinner, a chef tasting for the soon-to-open Huihui Restaurant at Kaanapali Beach Hotel, a tour of the newly opened AC Hotel by Marriott Maui, Wailea; and the Lanai Adventure Park E-Bike experience.
Upcoming media visits to Maui this summer include journalists and social media influencers representing Thrillist, USA Today, Budget Travel, Napa Valley Register, Golf Tips Magazine, and Golfholics.
MVCB has been working with the County of Maui to launch the Malama Maui County Pledge which asks visitors to respect the islands' culture, environment and community. As a part of Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Maui Nui Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP), MVCB remains committed to developing and implementing a process whereby visitors acknowledge to protect, respect, and learn about the islands' culture, natural resources, and community during their stay through this pledge. MVCB is distributing rack cards with the pledge to our Maui Nui partners and the video is being promoted through social media, AFAR.com, Spectrum TV and KHON2 digital programming. To download the pledge and watch the video please visit https://mauitourism.org/.
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Hawaii Visitor Statistics Released for April 2021
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According to preliminary statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), a total of 484,071 visitors arrived by air service to the Hawaiian Islands in April 2021, compared to only 4,564 visitors who traveled to Hawaii in April 2020 when tourism to the islands virtually ceased due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Total spending for visitors arriving in April 2021 was $811.4 million.
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Hawaii Vacation Rental Performance Report for April 2021
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In April 2021, the total monthly supply of statewide vacation rentals was 583,800 unit nights (+82.7%) and monthly demand was 388,600 unit nights (+2,327.6%). That resulted in an average monthly unit occupancy of 66.6 percent (+61.6 percentage points) (Figure 1) for April, which was higher than the occupancy of Hawaii’s hotels (50.8%).
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What's Happening Around our Industry
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International Market Place Announces the Reopening of STRIPSTEAK Waikiki and Welcomes Four New Locally Owned Restaurants
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International Market Place is excited to welcome a set of new locally owned and operated eateries to its curated collection of restaurants in the heart of Waikiki.
“It’s an honor to welcome this incredible collection of new and local-favorite restaurants to International Market Place”, said general manager Breana Grosz. “With so many great new dining options, we look forward to continue being a gathering place for locals and visitors alike.”
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Hawaii Convention Center Hosts 1,200 Guests for Hawaii Prayer Breakfast, Featuring New Safety Protocols and Socially Distanced Meetings Layouts
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 The Hawaii Convention Center welcomed 1,200 participants for the Hawai‘i Prayer Breakfast on May 7, 2021. It was the Center’s largest in-person meeting since the start of COVID-19 pandemic health and safety restrictions in March 2020.
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Hawaii Staffing Company Aloha Hospitality Professionals Expanding To The Bay Area This Summer With The Launch Of NxtGen Staffing: Powered By Aloha
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Industry Partner Opportunities
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New Vaccination Campaign: #HIGotVaccinated
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The State of Hawaii launched the #HIGotVaccinated campaign that’s running through the month of June. Vaccinated residents of Hawaii can take advantage of a variety of deals and discounts as well as enter to win exciting prizes!
Learn More Here ►
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Southwest Airlines Declares June 18 as Wanna Get Away Day to Honor 50th Anniversary of First Flight
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 Southwest Airlines Co. is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, with June 18 marking 50 years since the carrier’s first commercial flight. To celebrate, Southwest® has declared June 18 as Wanna Get Away Day and has registered the day with the National Day Calendar. In 1996, Southwest coined the phrase “Wanna Get Away®” to highlight the Company’s expansion, as well as creating humorous moments relevant to its Customers within its marketing. As Wanna Get Away has become an iconic and recognized expression for the brand, Southwest took it a step further to celebrate its 50th Anniversary by announcing this new annual day. Beginning June 1, Customers have the chance to engage with Southwest throughout the month of June, with its biggest surprises occurring on its anniversary and newly-branded day.
Visit Southwest50.com/WannaGetAway to view full terms and conditions and to enter for a chance to win.
View Full Release Here ►
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Member Testimonials
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“Membership with HVCB has been valuable as it provides me with easy access to industry information, statistics and survey information, an extra arm for sales & marketing opportunities, the convenience of educational seminars, and great networking. A good way to stay in the know!”
-Julie Arigo, Halepuna Waikiki
See more ►
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Kahe Wale Content
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HVCB is happy to accept your feedback, stories, content and news for our industry updates section of Kahe Wale. Please send Kahe Wale feedback to membership@hvcb.org and submit newsletter content to Becky Stark bstark@hvcb.org by the end of day on Friday, June 25.
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HVCB Member Kat Lin-Hurtubise, owner of Gourmet Events Hawaii, and Steve Scher take their 30 years of collective experience to create the next generation of temporary staffing in California as their first step to national expansion.
