Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Continues Tourism’s Reinvestment In Community

For Immediate Release: January 31, 2024
HTA Release (24-03)

24-03 HTA 2024 Community Programs.pdf

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) is furthering its dedication to the community, announcing five key programs to support natural resources, culture and the community: Kahu ‘Āina, Kūkulu Ola, Resort Area Hawaiian Culture Initiative, Signature Events, and Community Enrichment. In 2024, HTA is partnering to provide more than $7.5 million in total funding to support 163 nonprofit organizations, community groups, practitioners, projects and events throughout the state.   

“The community is the foundation of our visitor industry and the fabric of the experiences that mindful travelers want to have when they come to our shores,” said Mufi Hannemann, HTA Board Chair. “To continue having a thriving, diversified industry that supports our other sectors we need to ensure that we strengthen what we all know makes Hawai‘i special — our people, our living cultures, and the places that we hold dear — as without them there is no future.”

“Reinvesting in Hawai‘i’s people, places and multi-cultural traditions remains central to HTA’s regenerative tourism mission,” said Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i, HTA’s interim president and CEO. “We look forward to working closely with such a diverse range of qualified organizations and practitioners on each island to deliver these programs to our community and our visitors.”

HTA has partnered with Kilohana to administer the following programs and contracts in 2024 as part of its focus on destination stewardship. Criteria included demonstrating how the proposed initiative aligns with the state’s Aloha+ Challenge and ‘Āina Aloha Economic Futures principles toward a circular economy, which HTA remains committed to advancing.

These programs complement HTA’s initiatives to strengthen workforce development in Hawai‘i’s visitor industry, assist nonprofits and small businesses with capacity-building tools to improve their ability to engage in tourism, and provide technical assistance training.

Click here for the full program lists.