Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association

Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association
Name	Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association
Formation	1947
Type	Nonprofit trade association
Headquarters	Honolulu, Hawaii
Region served	Hawaii
Membership	Hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, suppliers

Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association

The Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association is a statewide trade association representing lodging, resort, and tourism-related businesses in Honolulu and the Hawaiian Islands. The association engages with stakeholders across Oʻahu, Maui, Hawaiʻi (Big Island), Kauaʻi and Molokaʻi, coordinating with entities active in tourism development, cultural preservation, and hospitality workforce training. It acts as a convening body among industry participants from legacy companies to community organizations, aligning private-sector interests with policy debates affecting visitor arrivals and destination management.

History

Founded in 1947, the association emerged during Hawaii's postwar expansion alongside developments such as Interstate Tourism-era growth, the establishment of major aviation routes by Pan American World Airways, and the rise of resort projects like Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Moana Surfrider, and later Hilton Hawaiian Village. During the territorial period and after Hawaii statehood in 1959, it interacted with institutions including the Territorial Hotel and Motel Association predecessor groups, local chambers such as the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and federal entities like the United States Department of Commerce on visitor statistics. Throughout the late 20th century it addressed issues tied to events such as the expansion of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and the formation of the Hawaii Tourism Authority while navigating regulatory shifts influenced by cases before courts such as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In recent decades, the association responded to crises affecting the sector, including the global downturns linked to the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and natural events impacting island airports and infrastructure.

Organization and Membership

The association's governance includes a board of directors drawn from major brands and independent operators, representing companies like Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and local family-owned properties. Members range from major hospitality corporations to regional marketing firms, tour operators such as Polynesian Cultural Center, transportation providers including Hawaiian Airlines, cruise lines calling on Port of Honolulu, and vendors supplying foodservice, housekeeping, and technology. It collaborates with labor organizations such as UNITE HERE and trades with associations like the American Hotel and Lodging Association, state agencies like the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (Hawaii), and county offices across Honolulu, Maui County, Kauai County, and Hawaii County. Committees address sustainability, cultural stewardship, workforce development, and regulatory compliance, with participation from hospitality schools like Kapiʻolani Community College and research partners including University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Advocacy and Policy Positions

The association advocates on legislative and regulatory matters before bodies such as the Hawaii State Legislature, county councils, and entities like the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Positions have addressed taxation measures involving transient accommodations taxes managed in coordination with the Department of Taxation (Hawaii), zoning and land use hearings before county planning commissions, and safety regulations enforced by agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in their local context. Policy advocacy has intertwined with debates over visitor capacity, community impacts echoed alongside organizations such as Protect Kakaʻako and Malihini Kauai, infrastructure funding tied to projects like airport improvements at Kahului Airport and Lihue Airport, and recovery assistance after events involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The association has engaged in litigation strategy sometimes coordinated with national counterparts including the U.S. Travel Association.

Programs and Services

Programs emphasize workforce training, certification, and hospitality education, collaborating with vocational institutions such as Honolulu Community College and nonprofit workforce developers like Workforce Development Council (Hawaii). Member services include marketing partnerships with destination marketing organizations like Maui Visitors and Cultural Bureau, research and data provided in concert with Tourism Analytics vendors, and sustainability initiatives referencing standards from groups like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The association runs safety and health certification programs informed by guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and best practices used by chains such as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Business continuity planning and emergency response resources align with county emergency management offices and federal agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration when addressing disruptions to interisland travel.

Events and Conferences

Annual conferences and trade shows organized by the association attract participants from hospitality brands such as IHG Hotels & Resorts, technology vendors like Sabre Corporation, and culinary partners exemplified by chefs linked to James Beard Foundation events. Signature gatherings include legislative breakfasts at the Hawaii State Capitol, workforce expos held with colleges such as Leeward Community College, and sustainability summits featuring speakers from organizations like the Nature Conservancy and the Hawaii Conservation Alliance. The association also hosts award ceremonies and networking receptions that draw media outlets including Honolulu Star-Advertiser and travel trade press such as Travel + Leisure.

Impact on Hawaii Economy and Tourism Industry

Through advocacy, training, and coordination the association influences metrics tracked by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and analyzed at research centers like the UH Economic Research Organization (UHERO), affecting hotel occupancy, average daily rate, and visitor expenditure patterns. Its membership decisions and collaborative initiatives intersect with investment flows from multinationals and family enterprises that shape development projects like beachfront resorts and mixed-use properties near Waikiki Beach and Ka'anapali. The association's role in workforce pipeline development links to employment statistics reported by the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, while its engagement in sustainability and community relations shapes destination stewardship debates involving groups such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and cultural practitioners. Overall, it functions as a chief private-sector intermediary affecting policy outcomes, industry standards, and destination marketing across the Hawaiian Islands.

Category:Trade associations based in Hawaii Category:Hospitality industry organizations