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| Rep. Richard Onishi announced $2 million in funding to promote tourism from the mainland and $1 million to promote tourism from Japan during a press conference today. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority money aims at helping Hawaiʻi Island to recover from the downturn in visitor arrivals following the volcanic eruption. Photo from Hawaiʻi House of Representatives |
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| Chris Tatum, CEO of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority |
Among the $2.5 million in expenditures will be a traveling tour bus. "Wrap it in scenery from Hawaiʻi," said Chris Tatum, CEO and President of Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. He said the bus will head out of San Diego and up the West Coast to Seattle with a sales team visiting travel agencies and television stations. It will take about a month. Money will also go for new photography to promote the island. "The skies are clear," said Tatum.
Onishi said, "We are going to be going back to the major markets the U.S, the West Coast, Japan, and trying to promote Hawaiʻi in a different fashion, besides just the Volcano. There are many, many more things that can be done on Hawaiʻi island for people to come and see and participate on and that's the key."
Tatum talked about the challenge of attracting visitors following the eruption. "We see a little drop off in pace on all the islands, but nothing like what we're experiencing on Hawaiʻi Island, especially from what happened last year, with the volcanoes, the storms. And we have an obligation to support their effort to bring that business back. That's what the whole effort is. It's not only to manage tourism on the Hawaiʻi Island but to reposition ourselves, enhance our brand, share with the world all the things that Hawaiʻi Island has to offer other than just the Volcano."
Tatum said, "We need to focus on driving business." He said there has never been a better time to visit Hawaiʻi Island. He said he is working with Hawaiʻi Tourism United States (with $1.5 million in funding) and Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan (with $1 million in funding). He said they are "our two biggest contractors," and described their efforts as "really focusing in not only on Kīlauea, the volcano, but
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| Ross Birch, Hawaiʻi Island Visitors Association |
Said Tatum, "We want to drive people into Hawaiʻi Island. We got to keep people working, but we also got to keep those panes flying that fly direct from Japan and the U.S. As long as we can keep those load factors up, they'll keep flying," He mentioned that the Japan market responded during the volcanic eruption with a 30 percent drop tourism to Hawaiʻi Island.
Ross Birch, President of the Island of Hawaiʻi Island Visitors Bureau, said, "It's been a very slow recovery." He called the promotion "a defibulator where we're going to actually jump start and kind of get things rolling again, create the messaging, and give an opportunity for our island to kind of showcase and really rebrand itself to the point where we can get the eyes on our island, get that visitation, and filling those seats that we've accomplished to increase over the last few years.
Birch pointed out that 2017 "was a phenomenal year for the island. We had a record breaking year of 1.77 million visitors; 2018 was a definitely a roller coaster. We had the highest highs in the first six months of the year and the lowest lows in the second six months.
He said the goal is to get "ahead of the pace of 2017."
Tatum and Birch said they look forward to working with local visitor industry businesses on the program to increase tourism. Download the video of the press conference from https://www.dropbox.com/s/e8rqz6yl0tqnxoy/HTA%20VNRv1.mp4?dl=0.
Contact Onishi at reponishi@capitol.hawaii.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see, online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
Birch pointed out that 2017 "was a phenomenal year for the island. We had a record breaking year of 1.77 million visitors; 2018 was a definitely a roller coaster. We had the highest highs in the first six months of the year and the lowest lows in the second six months.
He said the goal is to get "ahead of the pace of 2017."
Tatum and Birch said they look forward to working with local visitor industry businesses on the program to increase tourism. Download the video of the press conference from https://www.dropbox.com/s/e8rqz6yl0tqnxoy/HTA%20VNRv1.mp4?dl=0.
Contact Onishi at reponishi@capitol.hawaii.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see, online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
HAWAIʻI RANKS 42ND IN STRESS LEVELS, compared to the other 49 states, according to a recent WalletHub report. American stress levels have been rising for many demographics since their low point in 2016. Common stressors include the future of
Hawaiʻi ranked first in Fewest Average Hours of Sleep per Night and Least Affordable Housing. Hawaiʻi ranked third, as one of the states with the Lowest Job Security.
The Aloha State ranked 18th in Average Hours Worked per Week, 21st in Work-Related Stress, and 29th in Crime Rate per Capita.
In Psychologists per Capita, Hawaiʻi ranked 32nd, 38th in Family-Related Stress, and 39th in Money-Related Stress. It ranked 44th in percentage of Adults in Fair to Poor Health.
In Lowest Percentage of Population Living in Poverty, Lowest Divorce Rate, and Highest Credit Score – in a tie with several other states – Hawaiʻi ranked 46th. The 50th state ranked 49th in Health & Safety-Related Stress.Read the report.
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HAWAIʻI SOUTH TŪTŪ & ME TRAVELING PRESCHOOL FUNDRAISER features Big Island Candies Crunch bars. The 3 oz. bars sell for $4 each, available while supplies last, at the Nāʻālehu Tūtū & Me office; call 929-8571. Funds raised help support Tūtū & Me's parent organization, Partners in Development Foundation. Copies of the PIDF Annual Report are available for review at the Tūtū & Me office in Nāʻālehu.
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DONATE TO SUPPORT MILOLIʻi-KĀʻŪ VOLLEYBALL CLUB on trips to
Oʻahu and California this summer
for tournaments. Donations will be applied to 10U travel to Oʻahu for the Aloha
Summer Classic as well as 12U and 14U to Anaheim
for the Summer Soirée Tournament.
Chelsea Velez said, "Your help allows us to provide our young ladies with a supportive and competitive club so they can compete to the best of their abilities… help us offer a higher quality experience for all participants. Raising dollars for extra curricular activities is very difficult to do but is vital for our program. If you could please spread the word about our fundraiser by sharing it with your friends via Email, Facebook, and Twitter we would greatly appreciate it. Our young ladies have been training hard to properly represent this great town and club, any support is truly helpful. Here's to another great season of Miloliʻi-Kaʻū Volleyball Club."
Chelsea Velez said, "Your help allows us to provide our young ladies with a supportive and competitive club so they can compete to the best of their abilities… help us offer a higher quality experience for all participants. Raising dollars for extra curricular activities is very difficult to do but is vital for our program. If you could please spread the word about our fundraiser by sharing it with your friends via Email, Facebook, and Twitter we would greatly appreciate it. Our young ladies have been training hard to properly represent this great town and club, any support is truly helpful. Here's to another great season of Miloliʻi-Kaʻū Volleyball Club."
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| Kaʻū High's culinary class at last year's Hoʻolauleʻa. Photo by Julia Neal |
The Trojans'
Culinary Class took first place in Knife Skills in the statewide Hawaiʻi Career
and Technical Student Organization Convention competition on Feb. 26 at Hawaiʻi
Convention Center.
To make a donation toward the culinary
program, contact instructor Aina Akamu at ainaakamu@gmail.com.
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KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS BASEBALL team fought hard against Hawaiʻi
Preparatory Academy's Ka Makani at an away game yesterday. HPA took the game,
13 to 6.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
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Baseball:
Thu., April 4, 3 p.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., April 6, 11 a.m. , @Kealakehe
Sat., April 13, 3 p.m. , @Kamehameha
Fri., April 19, BIIF Semi-Finals
Sat., April 20, BIIF Semi-Finals
Softball:
Fri., April 5, 3 p.m. , @Kealakehe
Fri., April 12, BIIF Semi-Finals
Sat., April 13, BIIF Semi-Finals
Fri., April 19, BIIF Finals
Sat., April 20, BIIF Finals
Boys Volleyball:
Fri., April 5, 6 p.m. , @Christian Liberty , Varsity
Tue., April 9, 6 p.m. , host Waiakea
Fri., April 12, 6 p.m. , @Keaʻau
Wed., April 17, 6 p.m. , Kamehameha
Fri., April 19, 6 p.m. , host Honokaʻa
Mon. April 22, BIIF First Round
Wed., April 24, BIIF Semi-Finals
Thu., April 25, BIIF Finals
Track:
Sat., April 6, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., April 13, 9 a.m. , @HPA
Sat., April 20, 9 a.m. , @Kamehameha
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR KAʻŪ LITTLE LEAGUE happens Sunday, May
19 from 4 p.m. to 8p.m. at The Terraces in Ocean View, 92-1885
Princess Kailulani Blvd. Performing at the venue
is D-Tech Solutions. Performing live from Kona is Lopaka Rootz. Tickets are $10
advanced or $15 at the door – plus a can of food at entry. Sponsored by
Criminal Justice Solutions and Kahuku Community Block Watch, "Helping our
youth and community via physical fitness and teamwork." Contact Gabe
Morales at gcmorales2020@gmail.com or Kathi Griffeth at
kathiegriffeth@gmail.com.
UPCOMING
THURSDAY, APRIL 4
Women's Support Group, Thursday, April 4, 1st Thursday monthly, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
Stewardship at the Summit, Friday, April 5 and 26, Saturday, April 13 and 20, 8:45 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers remove invasive plants. Gloves and tools provided. Free; park entrance fees apply. RSVP to Paul and Jane Field, field@hawaii.edu. nps.gov/havo
Skateboard Movie Night, Friday, April 5, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Free; open to public. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
yART Sale, Saturday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Gigantic rummage sale with proceeds to benefit VAC programs and workshops. Accepting donations of garden, kitchen, art, collectables, tools, appliances, and furniture. All items clean and in working condition. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
Sunday Clay - High Fire! with Erik Wold, eight week workshop starts Sunday, April 7. Morning session, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; afternoon session, 2:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Handmade functional pottery art – max. eight wheel throwers and three hand-builder spots per session. All skill levels. $180/VAC member, $200/non-member, plus $15 supply fee per person. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, April 7, 1st Sunday monthly, noon – 2 p.m., Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058
MONDAY, APRIL 8
Free STD Testing, Monday, April 8, 2nd Monday monthly, 9 a.m. – noon, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927
Kickball, Monday, April 8 through 29, 2:30 p.m – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 1-5. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Pāhala Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Monday, April 8, 2nd Monday monthly, 5 p.m., activity room at Kaʻū District Gym.
TUESDAY, APRIL 9
Free Vision Screenings, Tuesday, April 9, Nāʻālehu Elementary. Students receive free comprehensive eye exam and sunglasses. If given a prescription, keiki will receive free eyeglasses with choice of frames, with parental consent. Mission co-sponsored by Tūtū & Me and Project Vision Hawaiʻi. pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me, projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-430-0388
C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tuesday, April 9, 4 p.m – 6 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visit: Dental, Wednesday, April 10, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Medical, Thursday, April 25, 1 p.m – 5 p.m. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org
ONGOING
Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications open through Monday, April 15. Free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture." Applications at nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute.
Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See
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Two $1,000 Scholarships are available from American Association of University Women-Kona to any female high school graduate or older women attending a two-year vocational program leading to a marketable skill at Palamanui Campus . Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, April 10. Application packets available at kona-hi.aauw.net. Contact sharonnind@aol.com.
Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications open through Monday, April 15. Free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture." Applications at nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute.
Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208 , Pāhala , HI 96777
Exhibit: On Sacred Ground by Dino Morrow is open daily through Sunday, May 5 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to see documentary and protrait photography of Hula Arts at the Kīlauea Program. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
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