Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association Appoints Former Honolulu Mayor Hannemann President

By Sonia Isotov

The Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association (HHLA) recently announced the appointment of former Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann as president of the statewide membership organization, effective January 1, 2011. He replaces Murray Towill who retired from the post in August of this year.

Chris Tatum, HHLA chairman and area vice president of Marriott International, commented, “We are confident that Mufi’s experience and credentials make him the ideal candidate to be an effective advocate for Hawai‘i’s lodging industry on government-related issues and to help foster a positive relationship with the community.”

“We’re pleased to have Mufi leading the HHLA because historically he’s shown a strong interest in supporting the hospitality industry on the neighbor islands, especially during the recent tourism downturn,” said Michael Jokovich, board member of the Maui Hotel Association  and general manager of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. “As mayor of Honolulu he led the mayors of Maui, Kauai and the Big Island in promotional programs put together by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau in North America and Asia which really stepped-up our visibility.”

Hannemann said that he welcomes the challenge of leading HHLA as tourism continues a steady recovery from the ills caused by the recent global economic downturn. “I am excited and honored to accept this responsibility and the opportunity to support Hawaii’s lodging industry and all that it represents to the wellbeing of residents and businesses statewide. I remain committed to doing what I can to advance the interests of the Hawai‘i community and I believe that in representing our lodging industry, the linchpin of our tourism economy, I am following that course.”

The Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association (HHLA) has a statewide membership of 170 hotels, condominiums, timeshares and other lodging entities representing more than 48,000 guest rooms, and also has an allied membership of more than 280 companies. The organization is devoted  to representing the interest of Hawaii’s hospitality industry through education, political action, and member benefits that improve the financial position and public awareness of the industry and its contributions to the community.