Ex-Officio

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA), in partnership with the counties and the respective visitor bureaus, developed community-based Destination Management Action Plans (DMAPs) that aim to rebuild, redefine and reset the direction of tourism over a three-year period. The focus is on stabilization, recovery, and rebuilding to the desired visitor industry for each island. The actions put forth in the DMAPs are guided by an island-based Steering Committee for each island, and includes a collaborative process which encourages participation and vital input from the community, visitor industry and other sectors. The DMAPs identify areas of need as well as actionable solutions for enhancing the residents’ quality of life and improving the visitor experience across the islands.

HTA’s 2020–2025 Strategic Plan is organized around four interacting pillars—Natural Resources, Hawaiian Culture, Community, and Brand Marketing, with more emphasis on addressing tourism impacts and greater destination management. In it, HTA defined Destination Management to include: attracting and educating responsible visitors; advocating for solutions to overcrowded attractions, overtaxed infrastructure, and other tourism-related problems; and working with other responsible agencies to improve natural and cultural assets valued by both Hawaiʻi residents and visitors.

View the Hawaiʻi Island Destination Management Action Plan below, or visit the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority website to discover how destination management and stewardship is advancing in our islands.

• 2019     PRSA Koa Anvil Award, Best of Show-Live Pono, Pono Pledge, Public Service, Travel and Tourism/Hospitality
• 2019     PRSA Award of Excellence, Kīlauea Volcano Eruptions: Impacts on Hawaiʻi Island Tourism, Crisis Communications, Travel & Hospitality
• 2022     International Telly Award – Silver, Online General Public Interest/Awareness

• Pono Pledge: be safe, responsible, and mindful while enjoying and exploring the island of Hawaiʻi. Please read, sign, and share the pledge and encourage others to do the same.
• Hawaiʻi Island Events: Visit gohawaii.com for a glimpse of upcoming events taking place on Hawaiʻi Island.
• What’s Sizzlin’ on Hawaiʻi Island: Read our latest press releases to find out what’s new on Hawaiʻi Island.

• Four of the world’s five major climate zones and all but four of the world’s sub-zones can be found on Hawaiʻi Island creating an ecosystem unlike any other (original Köppen Classification System)
• World’s tallest mountain – Maunakea – when measured from its base on the sea floor (approx. 33,500 feet), 13,796 ft. from sea level
• World’s most massive mountain – Maunaloa’s volume is estimated at 18,000 cubic miles.
• World’s most active shield volcanoes – Kīlauea and Maunaloa
• 266 miles of coastline and the most marine conservation districts in the State
• ʻAkaka Falls is North Hilo is the State’s tallest “sheer drop” waterfall – more than twice the height of Niagara Falls
• A few of Hawaiʻi Islandʻs unique events: Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Liliʻuokalani Long Distance Canoe Races, VinFast IRONMAN World Championship, Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, and more!

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s (HTA) Community Enrichment Program (CEP) supports Hawaiʻi’s Community-based projects, programs, and events that enhance resident and visitor experiences. HTA’s Signature Events Program (SEP) attracts attendees and participants from outside the state of Hawaiʻi with extensive national and international marketing and has a significant economic impact as measured by the number of out-of-state participants. HTA is partnering with the Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB) and its Island Chapters to administer the 2023 CEP and SEP process. 

Following are CEP/Signature events for Hawaiʻi Island.

• Hawaiʻi Kuauli Pacific & Asia Cultural Festival
  • June 9 – 11 
• Hawaiʻi Performing Arts Festival – 2023 Season
  • July 1 – 23 
• Hilo Hawaiian Music Festival
  • July 8 
• 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship
  • October 14 
• 61st Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament
  • August 5 - 13 
• Queen Liliʻuokalani Canoe Races – 50th Anniversary
  • August 31 – Sept 4 
• Aloha Shirt Festival, Vintage Era Exhibit and Fashion Week Hawaiʻi
  • September 28 - 13 
• Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Trail Program & Forest Fair
  • October (TBD) 
• Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival
  • October  20: Kamehameha Schools Presents Indigenous World Cuisines
  • October 21:  Indigenous Food Culture Panel 
• 26th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style
  • October 29 
• 52nd Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
  • November 3 – 12 
• Kupu Hawaiʻi’s “Give Back December” – Visitor Volunteer Engagement Program (statewide)
  • December 
• Hawaiʻi Keiki Museum’s Island Science Lecture Series
  • Varies (TBD) 
• Street Eats, A Kailua Village Food Truck Festival
  • Varies (TBD)