Statement from HTA President and CEO John De Fries Regarding DBEDT’s Cancellation of RFP 22-01 Hawai‘i Tourism Destination Brand Marketing and Management Services for the U.S. Major Market Area

For Immediate Release: December 6, 2022
HTA Release (22-24)

“Yesterday, I received copies of two letters from Mike McCartney, former director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), notifying the two offerors in the latest solicitation for branding and destination management for the U.S. market that he was rescinding the June 2022 award to the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and cancelling RFP 22-01. The letters were signed and addressed to the respective presidents of CNHA and the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Conventions Bureau (HVCB), just before the end of McCartney’s term in office at noon on Monday.“

My staff and I look forward to discussing this rescission and cancellation at our board meeting on Wednesday and we will work with our board, new DBEDT Director Chris Sadayasu, the State Procurement Office, and Governor Josh Green to explore viable options and align our direction going forward.”