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The Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association announced that its President and Chief Executive Officer, Mufi Hannemann, will be retiring from his role following years of dedicated service to the organization and Hawai‘i’s visitor industry.

Multiple Maui properties and employees earned accolades including the Wailea Beach Marriott, the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, the Ritz-Carlton Maui Kapalua, the Hampton Inn & Suites, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, and the Fairmont Kea Lani.

The Fairmont Kea Lani took home the top sustainability honor from the Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association for its native reforestation work in fire-impacted Lahaina and Kula and restoration at the Waiheʻe Coastal Dunes.

The Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association on Wednesday celebrated the exceptional contributions of the state’s hospitality workforce in front of an audience of 750 people at the 32nd Annual Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Awards at the Sheraton Waikīkī.

The 45th Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk Maui takes place this Saturday at the War Memorial Special Events Field in Wailuku. The event starts with a warmup at 7 a.m., followed by the Charity Walk at 7:30 a.m., activities under the main tent at 8:15 a.m., and festivities conclude at 10 a.m.

Maui High School’s Chelsea Konno was named the 2024 Citizen Scholar for Maui County. Also recognized from each public school within Maui County were: Penelope Tupou of Baldwin High School; Hennessy Arroyo of Hāna High & Elementary School; Gizelle Rodrigues of Kekaulike High School; M. Jee Abara of Lahainaluna High School; Hershey Lei Estacio Manuel of Lānaʻi High & Elementary School; and Kilinaheokekai Puhi of Molokaʻi High School.

Along with celebrating the appointed, MHLA also recognized the wildfire relief efforts of its members during the Annual Meeting. Maui’s visitor industry is experiencing a daily economic loss of nearly $13 million a day since the August wildfires.

The Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association announced today that the organization’s 43rd Visitor Industry Charity Walk has raised $2.2 million which will be distributed to local nonprofit organizations.

Maui Nui’s individual fundraising efforts resulted in a total of $1,203,000 being raised. These funds will be distributed to more than 200 nonprofits around the state with all funds raised in Maui County being distributed specifically to Maui County nonprofits.

“[Healthcare workers] do need some time away from all of these trials and tribulations…The way our policies have been set across the state regarding visitation, these people have really become the consolers of our people who are very sick. We need to honor them…More than one-third of Maui hotels have already stepped up to the plate to provide some really needed rest for our frontline heroes.” – Maui Mayor Michael Victorino.

In the Hawai‘i State Legislature, HLTA endorsed incumbents Gil Keith-Agaran, Justin Woodson, and Lynn DeCoite to retain their seats, citing their support of the tourism industry on the Valley Isle.

Gov. David Ige notified legislative leaders and key lawmakers of his Intent to Veto 20 measures.

The Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority distributed $150,000 to nine nonprofits on Maui that serve homeless

Hawai‘i’s hospitality industry honored the best-of-the-best of its employees at the 29th Annual Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana (the hard-working people) Awards.

Emily N. Mitra of Maui High School earned an additional $2,500 scholarship from the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association for being the top student from Maui.

Recipients of HLTA’s accolades are selected based on nominations submitted by their supervisors and co-workers, and are judged on the basis of outstanding…

The Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association awarded 42 seniors from public high schools across the state $1,000 in scholarships for their post-graduate educations.

Lisalani Baybayan, Regency Club Concierge at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, was awarded the Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year at the HTLA’s 27th Annual Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Awards.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa’s Crystal Lei Lane received top honors as the Manager of the Year while Heidi Michel-Bunyard was recognized as first runner-up for Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year.