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Kahe Wale - August 2021

"E kuhikuhi pono i nā au iki a me nā au nui"

Instruct well in the little and the large currents of knowledge.

In teaching, do it well; the small details are as important as the large ones.

‘Ōlelo No‘eau 325

Dear HVCB Members,

While the pandemic continues to disrupt our recovery, we can face the new restrictions levied by State and County governments with the confidence of having maneuvered through the last 18 months. As with any change, there will be some confusion as to what rules apply to tourism, especially as they relate to meetings and events. Structured events are not affected by the new restrictions on social gatherings. Statewide, all structured events of more than 50 people, including MCI events, need to file a mitigation plan ahead of time with the appropriate county. This has been true of Oahu events for some time and it now applies to all counties. For social gatherings, group size is limited to 10 indoors and 25 outdoors. Please see the Governor’s executive order for more details. If you need assistance, please contact our Meet Hawaii team at meetings@hvcb.org

Tourism has become a daily topic of conversation. As with anything else, there are varying opinions about the resurgence of tourism and how the destination should be managed. It should be made clear that tourism is not the contributing factor to the rise in COVID-19 cases. Only 2% of the travel-related cases are attributed to visitor arrivals. The majority of cases are a result of community spread, and residents returning from travel having opted for quarantine rather than taking a pre-travel COVID-19 test and then testing positive once home. In addition, over 90 % of the COVID hospitalizations are unvaccinated patients. As we move forward with our mission to malama Hawaii, we implore our Hawaii residents who travel out of state and do not have a vaccination exception to take a pre-travel COVID-19 test before returning home. We also join other industry and government leaders in asking you to encourage your team members to get vaccinated.

Regarding guests who require quarantine upon arrival, “Host Liability” remains a part of the Governor’s order. This applies to guests who are not exempted through the State of Hawaii Safe Travels pre-testing or vaccination exception program as well as guests who have tested positive for, or if they are a close contact of a person confirmed positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether a negative test result was subsequently obtained. This means that as an accommodation operator, you are required to house your guests, with existing reservations, in these situations and can be held liable should you not enforce the rules.

Lastly, I’d like to acknowledge all our industry partners who continue to share the message of malama Hawaii. It is our kuleana, as an industry, to help our visitors have a meaningful experience and educate them on how to care for our islands. Our research shows that visitors want to do the right thing, they just don’t always know what that is. We have created many assets for you to use and we ask that you continue to share the message and communicate with us on how you are doing so. This allows us to demonstrate our collective output. Our industry has proven that we are highly skilled in navigating change and we have every confidence that we will be able to wield our paddles together and instruct well in the little and large currents of knowledge.

Mahalo for all you do,

John Monahan, President & CEO, and the HVCB Team

Welcome to Our New Members

Action Tour Guide - Activities, Kauai and Maui

Big Island Golf Guide - Golf, Island of Hawaii

Hana and Beyond Tours - Activities, Maui

Hawaii Grocery Service - Services, Oahu

Maui Pacific Tours - Activities, Maui

Maui's Private Guide - Activities, Maui

Paniolo BBQ Dinner - Activities, Island of Hawaii

Stargazers of Hawaii - Activities, Oahu

TripOrigami - Travel Professionals, Oahu

Member Spotlight

This month’s member spotlight is Malia Zannoni, nominated by Breana Grosz, International Market Place, and chosen by an independent committee of HVCB team members.

In her short time as International Market Place’s marketing & sponsorship director, Malia Zannoni has already made profound, lasting impact on kamaaina and visitor programming that will last for generations to come. Upon starting her role, COVID started and she quickly pivoted in-person events to roll-out portfolio-leading digital marketing events and engaging programming. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Malia has shared her knowledge and expertise to round out the center’s cultural programs. Two of these programs received industry awards at the 2021 PRSA Hawaii Awards: Celebrating Don Ho’s 90th Birthday and Market Place Mele: Celebrating Don Ho, Local Music & Stories of the Past. This month she kicked off the center’s 5th year “Tiki-Versary” anniversary which included bringing the center’s storied hula programming back safely along with other nods to the center’s cultural past with $5 cocktails and live music. Malia is no stranger to the visitor industry after working for 8 years at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in various capacities. In her spare time, she volunteers with Make A Wish Hawaii."

Learn how you can nominate an individual, or group, of a member company for a future Member Spotlight Here ►

Poll

Marketing 

Partner Use of Kuleana Travel Tips & Malama Hawaii Assets

We have added a Marine Animal Protection video to the Kuleana Travel Tips playlist and our Malama Campaign continues to receive a lot of positive feedback from our partners, media and consumers. Learn how you can help share the Kuleana Travel Tips & Malama Hawaii messaging through your various channels here►

Please let us know how you are sharing the message by emailing us at membership@hvcb.org with the following information:

• Name of business
• Name of the videos being played
• Start and end date of broadcast duration
• Where videos will be played (inflight, in-room, on-property etc.)

Membership

Unsave The Date

Extranet...Extra Extra

Did you know HVCB pivoted around the pandemic and created two new features for your GoHawaii listing? We added the COVID-19 Information, this is where you’ll add your COVID-19 URL and update your business' operation status.

We encourage you to log in to Extranet to add your COVID-19 URL to keep your customers updated. 

ICYMI

• View our GoHawaii Destination App and Kiosk Overview Here ►
• Learn more about our Kamaaina Special Offers Program Here ►

Travel Trade

SAVE THE DATE

The Hawaiian Islands – Malama Hawaii

Fall Sales Blitz

November 1 – 4, 2021

Following two very successful virtual events in the past year, HVCB’s travel trade sales team will be hosting (4) live, in-person events for travel advisors on the U.S. mainland. With increased visitor arrivals already from the West Coast, we are looking at secondary markets with strong airlift into the state. Plans are for trade events in Phoenix, Arizona, along with events in Dallas, Austin and Houston, Texas the week of November 1 – 4, 2021. Supplier registration will be shared via email distribution by August 30th.

Cultural Connection

Statehood Day or Admission Day is the day Hawaii became the 50th US state. It is annually observed on the 3rd Friday in August to commemorate the anniversary of the state’s admission to the Union on August 21, 1959. It was first observed in 1969.

The US Congress approved the Hawaii Organic Act in 1900 after the illegal overthrow and annexation of the Hawaiian monarchy. The Territory of Hawaii then developed new governing legislation, and the subjects of Hawaii became U.S. citizens.

To ensure proper representation in Congress, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, Territorial Delegate presented a Hawaii statehood bill in 1919. The bill went for review but was voted down. Additional bills were introduced in 1935, 1947 and 1950.

In 1946, the U.S. House Committee on Territories conducted hearings for Hawaii statehood. On the last day, Territorial Senator Alice Kamokilaikawai Campbell (daughter of sugar baron, James Campbell and sister-in-law to Prince David Kawananakoa) delivered a speech against statehood, 53 years after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. “I do not feel ... we should forfeit the traditional rights and privileges of the natives of our islands for a mere thimbleful of votes in Congress...” She later went on to start the Anti-Statehood Clearing House, which went against Hawaii Statehood Commission efforts. She gathered testimonies and arguments against statehood and presented them to Congress…to no avail.

In 1959, the Senate voted in favor of the Hawaii Statehood Bill 75 to 15 votes and the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the Bill 323 to 89 votes.

This was followed by a referendum in which Hawaii residents voted 94% (132,773 to 7,971 votes) in support of statehood (the ballot question was: “Shall Hawaii immediately be admitted into the Union as a state?”), and on August 21, 1959, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a proclamation creating the 50th state.

Subsequently, on November 23, 1993 U.S. President Bill Clinton signed the “Apology Resolution,” formally known as United States Public Law 103-150, which apologizes for its role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy on behalf of the United States.

HVCB Island Chapters

Kauai Visitors Bureau

Updates:

• The County of Kauai’s Office of Economic Development announced the launch of a new website aimed at informing both visitors and residents of the various transportation options available on Kauai. The new website, www.GetAroundKauai.com was created in response to the current rental car shortage on Kauai, but has a broader goal of providing people with the resources they need to make more sustainable transportation choices. The helpful travel tips from “Aunty Lani” are good reminders for all those traveling to Kauai.
• Kauai ATV debuts their Zip Bike tour. Currently the only experience of it of its kind in the US, this tour allows guests to bike over part of Waita Reservoir, Hawaii’s 2nd largest reservoir, on a 700-foot zipline cable (1,400 feet roundtrip), 30 feet high. Learn More Here►

Events:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kauai announces Restaurant Week on August 22-29, 2021. Dine in or take out at participating restaurants and 100% of donations received during this week will go directly to help support Kauai’s keiki through Big Brother Big Sisters of Kauai. So far, there are 16 participating restaurants island-wide. Learn More Here►
• 42nd Annual Kauai Charity Walk is going virtual this year and taking place from August 30-September 12, 2021. In 2019, the County of Kauai raised over $450,000 which provided financial support for over 60 Kauai non-profit organizations. Other events surrounding these fund-raising efforts such as the 1st Annual Charity Walk Golf Tournament on August 28 are also scheduled. For details about the Charity Walk visit: http://www.charitywalkhawaii.org/kauai.html and additional information about other Charity Walk Kauai events, visit their Instagram page here►

Oahu Visitors Bureau

Public Relations & Communications

Consumer eNewsletter

• OVB distributed a family-themed consumer enewsletter on July 28 to approximately 105,931 subscribers.   

OVB Media eNewsletter

• The next quarterly media eNewsletter will be going out September 1.  

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. Upcoming media include:

• Karen Cicero is the travel editor for Parents Magazine and will be visiting the island of Oahu from August 8 – 14. She has a confirmed assignment and will incorporate the Malama Hawaii campaign.  
• Benjamin Setiawan is a writer for Forbes and will be visiting the island of Oahu from September 30 – October 6. He has a confirmed assignment focused on multi-generational travel and will incorporate the Malama Hawaii campaign. 

Travel Trade & Sales

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 did a training for travel advisors on July 29 with a Multi-generational Family webinar with Pleasant Holidays  
• OVB did an interview with The Family Traveler Podcast on July 28.

Trade eCommunications

• Quarterly News, Updates and Aloha agent enewsletter was distributed to agents on July 22 to the HVCB Northstar Oahu database of 6,828 registered travel agents.

In Other Areas

The Oahu DMAP was approved by the HTA Board on July 29. Pending no interruptions, the final Oahu DMAP document is scheduled to be available to the public by the end of August. 

Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau

MVCB partnered with Hawaii News Now’s Return to Maui Sunrise program to produce two segments for HINow featuring the Kipuka Olowalu and Lahaina Restoration Foundation Malama Hawaii programs. HI Now Host Kainoa Carlson visited Kipuka Olowalu, an outdoor classroom in Olowalu Valley that teaches students, visitors and kamaaina alike the importance of caring for the land. Kainoa also spent time at The Lahaina Restoration Foundation which gives visitors to Hawaii an opportunity to engage with the islands’ history and culture in a meaningful way. Maui Sunrise on KHNL and KGMB aired on July 16 and included the two 3-minute features and can also be found on hinowdaily.com:

• Kipuka Olowalu
• Lahaina Restoration Foundation

The Malama Maui County Pledge continues to be distributed through social media, our hotel and event partners, Spectrum TV programming, AFAR.com and KHON2. The spots also have been airing on the XTERRA Triathlon shows on Outside TV. To see the pledge and video please visit: https://mauitourism.org/

Upcoming August and September media visits to Maui include Robert Kaufman freelance: Golf Tips and Napa Valley Register; Rachel Jean-Fichau: @RachelOffDuty blogger; Bianca Palumbo, Bianca Blogs; and Ben Davidson, freelance: AAA Go, AAA Via and Diablo.

Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau

Travel Trade News

IHVB continues to provide destination awareness as we support our travel industry partners with educational webinars, participate in agency broadcasts, and attend both online and live trade events as we move forward in welcoming more visitors and promoting mindful and responsible tourism. In the month of July, IHVB completed training for more than 150 travel advisors. IHVB also attended the Global Travel Marketplace in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, July 8-10.

Community

IHVB is delighted to announce that Micah Kamohoalii (Dezigns by Kamohoalii) has been invited to New York Fashion Week, Sept. 9. IHVB is working with Micah to host a few media events/appointments and share Malama Hawaii and Hawaii Island culture through his designs.

Imiloa Astronomy Center – Imiloa celebrates 15 years on the island of Hawaii. The $28 million, 40,000 square foot exhibition and planetarium complex is located on nine acres in the University of Hawaii’s Science and Technology Park, above the UH-Hilo campus. After a 15-month closure due to COVID-19, Imiloa recently re-opened (currently weekends only). Please visit their website for more information. www.imiloahawaii.org

Kona Coffee Cultural Festival – Hawaii’s Longest-Running Food Festival is back! The first Kona Coffee Festival was held in 1970. Due to COVID-19, last year’s Festival (which would have been 50 years!) was postponed. The 2021 festival takes place Nov. 4-7 and includes coffee tastings, farm tours, contests, and entertainment. For more information, visit www.konacoffeefest.com

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens - The only zoo in the United States located in a tropical rainforest, Panaewa Rainforest Zoo first opened in 1978. The zoo recently re-opened (closed for renovation) and includes a new alala aviary. Alala is an endangered Hawaiian bird. The zoo is open daily (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas). For more information, visit https://www.hilozoo.org

Kokua Kailua Village Stroll, a monthly Sunday event that takes place on Alii Drive from 1-6p. This festival pedestrian-only, family friendly marketplace includes local vendors and artists. Upcoming dates for 2021 are: September 19, October 17, November 21, and December 12.

Pono Pledge – in our continual efforts to promote mindful travel, Pono Pledge (created in 2018) provides helpful safety tips (including lifeguard-protected beaches, volcano safety, etc.), important information on environmental threats (fire ants, rapid ohia death, etc.), and endangered species. Please enjoy and share the pledge and new Pono Pledge video.

HTA Updates

Hawaii Tourism Authority Announces Reorganization Toward Destination Management Including Two Executive Promotions

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) announced its pivot to become a more effective destination management organization and the promotions of two key executives who will help guide the initiatives outlined in HTA’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan.

Hawaii Hotel Performance Report - June 2021

Hawaii hotels statewide reported substantially higher revenue per available room (RevPAR), average daily rate (ADR), and occupancy in June 2021 compared to June 2020 during which the State’s quarantine order for travelers due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in dramatic declines for the hotel industry. When compared to June 2019, statewide RevPAR and ADR were higher in June 2021 but occupancy was lower.

Hawaii Vacation Rental Performance Report - June 2021

Hawaii vacation rentals statewide reported substantial increases in supply, demand, occupancy and average daily rate (ADR) in June 2021 compared to June 2020. However, in comparison to June 2019, vacation rental supply, demand and ADR were down while occupancy rose slightly due to a reduction in supply levels.

Total Visitor Spending and Arrivals in June 2021 Remained Below Pre-Pandemic June 2019 Results

According to preliminary visitor statistics jointly released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) and Hawaii Tourism Authority, total spending for visitors arriving in June 2021 was $1.44 billion¹. There is no comparative visitor spending data available for the month of June 2020. Compared to June 2019, visitor spending decreased 11.9 percent from $1.63 billion.

What's Happening Around Our Industry

Property Restoration Will Perpetuate Halekulani’s Legacy for Decades to Come

Halekulani Corporation announced additional details regarding the restoration of its iconic flagship, Halekulani, which has been closed since April of last year and will reopen on October 1, 2021. In order to preserve Halekulani’s legacy as the hotel heads into its second century, the restoration has been both meticulous and wide-ranging, encompassing the hotel’s physical infrastructure and public spaces, guest rooms and suites.

Hyatt Loves Local

Joining Hyatt hotels across the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Southwest Asia regions, Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach recently announced a collaboration with local artist Jack Soren as part of Hyatt Loves Local, which provides complimentary resources and exposure to select local businesses that have struggled during the pandemic.

BBB Business Impact Report - Travel, Leisure, & Hospitality 2021 Industry Trends

In this report, BBB takes a deeper dive into the travel, leisure, and hospitality industry by uncovering key insights and travel trends. This report includes highlighting the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau in a BBB Accredited Business Spotlight. Read the article featuring HVCB Membership Director, Karen Wataru Nakaoka, on page 10. View Report Here ►

PRSA Hawaii 38th Annual Koa Anvil Awards

Congratulations to our members who were honored at PRSA Hawaii’s 38th Annual Koa Anvil Awards:

Maria Hartfield, Marketing and Sponsorship Specialist at International Market Place - Hokupaa Young Public Relations Professional of the Year Award

Anthology Marketing Group – 2021 Best of Show 

Industry Partner Opportunities

Chamber of Commerce Hawaii Golf Tournament

The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii invites you to support the 9th Annual Business on the Green golf tournament presented by ALSCO. This year’s fundraising golf tournament will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021 at Hoakalei Golf Club.

Help the Chamber bring together Hawaii’s business leaders for a fun and competitive round of golf, networking, and delicious food and beverages. There are various sponsorship packages available, View Sponsorship Information Here ►

Tournament proceeds will be invested back into the state’s economy and help businesses, such as yours, thrive locally, nationally and globally through the Chamber’s many programs, including their legislative advocacy work, education and training seminars, business building and networking opportunities. Download Sponsorship Form Here ►

Bishop Museum - E Ulu A Paa

Annual Fundraising Auction

Join Bishop Museum in this ten-day online fundraiser and auction—E Ulu A Paa—highlighting the stories, people, and partners that contribute to their continued growth (ulu) and make it possible for the Museum to build a solid foundation (paʻa), as they continue to pursue their mission and serve the local and global community. Auction will run from August 19-29, 2021. Registration to bid is now open! Register to Bid Here ►

There will be an In-Person Viewing event on Friday, August 27 from 9am -3pm at Bishop Museum in Atherton Halau. The auction preview that will showcase select items featured in this year's annual fundraiser. Open to Bishop Museum Members and General Public For more information visit: www.bishopmuseum.org/euluapaa. 

Kahe Wale Content

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, August 27.