The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) has unveiled plans for new community collaborations centered on the preservation of natural resources, cultural projects, festivals, and key events. In a move to support local initiatives, HTA will allocate nearly $3 million towards 105 partnerships with community organizations, projects, and events taking place throughout Hawai‘i between January 1 and June 30, 2025.
“Through these collaborations, we are making key investments in the community to preserve our multi-ethnic cultures, protect our environment and create meaningful experiences,” said Mufi Hannemann, HTA’s board chair. “As a result, tourism not only supports our residents but also enhances the visitor experience by fostering authentic connections with Hawai‘i’s people and places.”
HTA has partnered with Kilohana to manage these initiatives across five core programs: Kahu ‘Āina, Kūkulu Ola, Ho‘okipa Malihini Initiative, Community Enrichment, and Signature Events.
Proposals were evaluated by committees composed of island representatives, with a focus on how each project supports the state’s Aloha+ Challenge and the ‘Āina Aloha Economic Futures principles, both of which HTA is dedicated to promoting.
In line with the state’s fiscal calendar, a second round of applications for these programs will be announced in early 2025, seeking projects and events scheduled from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
“Tourism serves our communities in various ways, and HTA plays a key role in channeling its benefits into programs, projects and events that our residents desire,” said Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i, HTA’s interim president and CEO. “We look forward to collaborating closely with these dedicated organizations and practitioners as they carry out their important work on each island.”
These programs are designed to support HTA’s efforts to meet the community’s needs, enhance career opportunities, and promote workforce development within Hawai‘i’s tourism sector. They also aim to assist nonprofits and small businesses by providing capacity-building resources that help them better engage with the tourism industry, while offering essential technical training to strengthen organizational foundations.
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