HTA Hosts Product Enrichment Workshop on Maui

Photo credit: Jackie Jean Photography. Courtesy photo from Nā Kamehameha Paʻu Parade.

By Wendy Osher

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority will host a Product Enrichment workshop on Maui in an effort to find and develop community-based initiatives that enhance the resident and visitor experience.

The workshop will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013, at UH Maui College, ʻIke Leʻa, Room 144, in Kahului.

The workshop comes as the HTA joins the County of Maui Office of Economic Development in soliciting proposals for various product enrichment programs.

In addition to supporting community-based projects, the programs are also aimed at creating opportunities for economic development, natural resource preservation, and the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture.

The HTA’s Product Enrichment Programs include the Community-Based Natural Resources Program, Kūkulu Ola – Living Hawaiian Culture Program, and the County Product Enrichment Programs.

The County of Maui’s CPEP Request for Proposals for programs planned in year 2014 will run from Aug. 1, through the Sept. 6, 2013 deadline.

Instructions on how to apply for the programs are available on the county website and on the HTA website.

“The HTA’s Product Enrichment Program offers an opportunity for the community to protect, perpetuate and promote our incredible natural resources, unique traditional Hawaiian culture and diverse tourism product,” said Mike McCartney, HTA president and CEO in an agency press release.

“These assets differentiate us from the rest of the world and make Hawaii a desirable place to visit and live. This program allows us to enhance our destination while building economic sustainability for our communities,” he said.

According to the HTA, the County Product Enrichment Program seeks to” support and diversify Hawaii’s tourism product by developing new and enhancing existing community-based events, experiences and projects in niche areas including agritourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, edutourism, health and wellness tourism, sports, and techno-tourism.”