• HTA Partnerships Focus on Natural Resources, Culture, Festivals and Signature Events

    December 12, 2024
     
    Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Partnerships Focus on Natural Resources,
    Culture, Festivals and Signature Events
    Nearly $3 million to support 105 community projects, programs and events
    statewide in the first six months of 2025

    HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) has announced its upcoming community partnerships focused on natural resources, cultural initiatives, festivals and signature events. HTA is reinvesting nearly $3 million in partnerships with 105 community-based organizations, projects, programs and events taking place across Hawai‘i from January 1 to 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 is working with Kilohana to administer the partnerships through five key programs: Kahu ‘Āina, Kūkulu Ola, Ho‘okipa Malihini Initiative, Community Enrichment, and Signature Events.

    Proposals were reviewed by evaluation committees with representatives of each island. Criteria included demonstrating how the proposed initiative aligns with the state’s Aloha+ Challenge and ‘Āina Aloha Economic Futures principles which HTA remains committed to advancing.

    In alignment with the state’s fiscal year, another solicitation for these programs will be held in early 2025 for projects and events occurring 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.”

    The programs complement HTA’s initiatives to address the community’s needs, strengthen career pathways and 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 organizations with foundational technical assistance training


    LINK TO PRESS RELEASE AND ALL STATEWIDE PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
    JANUARY-JUNE 2025 KAHU ‘ĀINA PROGRAM

    HTA’s Kahu ‘Āina program supports responsible community-based entities with an emphasis on ‘āina-kanaka (land-human) relationships and knowledge that manage, preserve and regenerate Hawai‘i’s natural resources. Through the Kahu ‘Āina program, HTA is reinvesting $500,000 in the following 16 community groups and projects from January to June 2025. 
        
    Project/Program Organization  Island(s)
    Statewide/Multiple Islands
    Kupu ʻĀina Corps and Nā Manu ‘Elele  Kupu Statewide (All Islands except Lānaʻi)
    Niu NOW Puʻuhonua Society Statewide
    Hawai‘i Island
    Kipa Waikōloa  Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, Inc. Hawaiʻi Island
    Kūmokuhāliʻi Niaulani Volcano Art Center Hawaiʻi Island   
    JANUARY-JUNE 2025 KŪKULU OLA PROGRAM

    HTA’s Kūkulu Ola program supports community-based awardees that enhance, strengthen and perpetuate Hawaiian culture through genuine experiences for residents and visitors. Through the Kūkulu Ola program, HTA is reinvesting $500,000 in the following 21 nonprofit organizations, events and cultural practitioners from January to June 2025.
       
    Project/Program Organization  Island(s)
    Hawai‘i Island
    Hoʻōla Ka Makanaʻā o Kaʻūpūlehu   Hawai‘i Forest Institute Hawaiʻi Island 
    Hula Arts at Kīlauea 2025 Volcano Art Center Hawaiʻi Island
    Imu Meaʻai Men of PA‘A  Hawaiʻi Island 
    Kohala Kamehameha Day Celebration North Kohala Community Resource Center Hawaiʻi Island 
    Nā Kama O Kālai Waʻa  Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum Hawaiʻi Island 
     
    JANUARY-JUNE 2025 COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

    HTA’s Community Enrichment program supports unique, authentic and highly valued visitorrelated experiences. It represents activities that are developed by the community, for the community, and are things the community is willing to and wants to share with visitors. Through the Community Enrichment program, HTA is reinvesting nearly $1 million in the following 55 community-based events, festivals and experiences from January to June 2025.
     
    Project/Program Organization  Island(s)
    Hawai‘i Island
    Beyond the Beaches: An Island Science Lecture Series Hawaiʻi Keiki Museum  Hawaiʻi Island 
    Cacao & Culinary Fusion: Big Island Chocolate Festival 2025 - Savor Tomorrow   Kona Cacao Association, Inc. Hawaiʻi Island
    Celebration of Life - Lantern Floating Memorial Hawaiʻi Care Choices Hawaiʻi Island
    Hale Hālāwai O Puna Pāhoa Lava Zone Museum Hawaiʻi Island 
    Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific and Asia Cultural Festival  Hawaiʻi Island Pacific and Asia Cultural Celebrations Hawaiʻi Island 
    Street Eats, A Kailua Village Food Truck Festival     Kailua Village Business Improvement District, Inc. Hawaiʻi Island 
    That’s Sew Hilo: Fashion Exhibit  Zonta Club of Hilo Hawaiʻi Island 
    Wiliwili Festival  Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, Inc. Hawaiʻi Island 
    World Bee Day Fair and Educational Events - Hawai‘i Island 2025 Bird and Bee Animal Sanctuary Hawaiʻi Island 
     
    JANUARY-JUNE 2025 SIGNATURE EVENTS PROGRAM

    HTA’s Signature Events program supports major festivals and events that attract attendees and participants from outside the state and have extensive opportunities for national and international marketing. They include typically high-profile events that are larger in scale than those in the Community Enrichment program. These events also have a high media value (print, online and broadcast impressions). Through the Signature Events program, HTA is reinvesting $705,000 in the following eight festivals and events happening in Hawai‘i from January to June 2025. 
     
    Project/Program Organization  Island(s)
    Hawai‘i Island
    Merrie Monarch Festival 2025 Merrie Monarch Festival Hawaiʻi Island
     

    Link to Download Images: https://finnpartners.box.com/s/8wor949f0l1zyr3tc6blq78inp5thnw3

    About the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority
    The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority is the state agency responsible for representing The Hawaiian Islands around the world, and for holistically managing tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with community desires, economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, and visitor industry needs. HTA works with the community and industry to Mālama Hawaiʻi – care for our beloved home. For more information about HTA, visit hawaiitourismauthority.org or follow @HawaiiHTA on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and X. For more information, contact: T. Ilihia Gionson Public Affairs Officer Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Ilihia.Gionson@gohta.net