Posted on: Tuesday, June 17, 2003

ISLAND VOICES
Tourism industry represented well at HTA

By Sen. Donna Mercado Kim
Chairwoman of the Senate Tourism Committee

Having been a vocal critic of the Hawaii Tourism Authority since becoming chairwoman of the Senate Tourism Committee in 2001, I find it a little ironic that I'm now in the position of defending the organization, to some degree.

The criticisms of the HTA arose during the recent public meeting of the governor's tourism summit. The summit committee reporting on the roles and composition of the HTA correctly noted the law required that at least six members have visitor industry experience, but was incorrect in stating that the requirement was not being met.

As of May 23, the date of the summit, the HTA membership consisted of: Ron Wright, managing director, Continental Airlines; David Carey, attorney and president/CEO, Outrigger Enterprises; Keith Vieira, senior vice president, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; and Sharon Weiner, executive, Duty Free Shoppers VP and public relations expert.

Also, Lorrie Stone, attorney and associate, Ko Olina Resorts, with past employment in various Waikiki hotels; Nadine Nakamura, principal, NKN Project Planning; Mike McCartney,president/CEO, Hawaii Public Television, and former state senator; Larry Johnson, former Bank of Hawaii CEO and former chairman, HVCB; Lenny Klompus, representing Director Ted Liu of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and Gov. Lingle; Kyoko Kimura, president, Diamond Head Resorts; and Stephen Yamashiro, attorney and former mayor of Hawai'i, who also held an executive position with the Kaimana Beach Hotel.

Since the summit, Gov. Lingle has appointed John Toner, executive vice president of Ko Olina Resort. As all can see, all 12 members have had direct or indirect involvement in the visitor industry.

Another criticism from summit participants involved HTA members lacking skills and tourism experience, as related to marketing. It's troubling that many in the visitor industry continue to believe the HTA exists for the sole purpose of selling Hawai'i as a travel destination.

A reading of the enabling legislation would reveal that the authority's role is broad and far-reaching. If legislators had wanted a marketing agency, it could have preserved the old system of direct funding to the HVB.