Announcements:  

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority presents the 2024 Tourism Legacy Awards (HTA Release Oct 2, 2024; Excerpts)  

HTA held its esteemed Tourism Legacy Awards luncheon as the culminating event of the 2024 Hawai‘i Tourism Conference. HTA proudly presented the Tourism Legacy Awards to Kaua‘i’s Hamura Saimin and Hawai‘i’s own Chef Sam Choy for their long-standing achievement in servicing Hawai‘i’s communities.  

HTA’s Tourism Legacy Awards annually honor organizations and individuals who have established and sustained a legacy of aloha. This year’s awards were presented to Hamura Saimin and Chef Sam Choy, paying tributed to these pioneers, innovator and visionaries who are shaping and enriching Hawai’i’s vibrant culinary scene and cultivating a rich tapestry of flavors, traditions and techniques.  

Kaua‘i’s Hamura Saimin was opened in 1952 by Charles and Aiko Hamura on Kress Street in Līhu‘e.  More than 70 years later, Kaua‘i’s beloved, hometown restaurant continues to serve residents and visitors the comfort foods of Hawai‘i, including a variety of saimin, won ton  soup, lilikoʻi chiffon pie, and more.  

Kaua‘i Museum Dedication of Waimakua and Maryanne Kusaka Exhibit Center  

Kaua‘i Museum celebrated a dedication of their Waimakua and Maryanne Kusaka Exhibit Center on September 30, 2024. The opening oli was chanted by Kaua‘i Museum Director, Chucky Boy Chock and the blessing of ceremony was graced by Kumu Sabra Kauka.  Former Kaua‘i mayor and present Kaua‘i Museum board member, Maryanne Kusaka, joined by colleague board members were present to dedicate and introduce the exhibit center to the community.  Their vision of the exhibit center is to educate all visitors to  the Kaua‘i Museum focusing specifically on one project to exhibit rare and authentic artifacts of Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau, Hawai‘i, and Polynesia’s history and culture.  They will soon open their exhibit highlighting “Kapa”.                                                 

Visit www.kauaimuseum.org 

Blessing protocol of the Waimakua and Maryanne Kusaka Exhibit. Soon to open, the Kapa Exhibit.  

Kōke’e State Park: Puʻu O Kila Lookouts Closed  

The gate to Puʻu O Kila Lookout is closed to vehicular traffic due to road repairs. The lookout will still be accessible by pedestrians, parking is available at Kalalau lookout. For more information, please visit https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/hiking/kauai/  

Japan Mission, MOA with JTB, and the Kaua‘i Matsuri Festival:  

September 23 – 28, Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau (KVB) along with O‘ahu Visitors Bureau, and Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau represented each island at the Media Event and the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Tourism Expo 2024 in Tokyo, summarizing the latest information of Hawai‘i. There were approximately 183,000 attendees of travel trade, press, and consumers.  

Highlights from the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Tourism Expo 2024 in Tokyo.  

HTA, Meet Hawai‘i and JTB Partnership  

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Meet Hawai‘i Execute Three-Year Partnership with JTB to Attract High-Value Business Events from Japan (HTA Release: October 15, 2024)  

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) and Meet Hawai‘i remain committed to strengthening the Japan market for the Hawaiian Islands. Furthering this commitment, HTA, Meet Hawai‘i and JTB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding codifying a three-year partnership to promote and secure targeted business meetings, conventions and incentive events from Japan.    

Read more… HTA and Meet Hawai‘i Executes 3-year Partnership with JTB  

On Kaua‘i, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority provided sponsorship for the 39th Annual Kaua‘i Matsuri Festival.   The festival acknowledges Kaua‘i’s sister cities of Japan; Suo Oshima, Ishigaki City, and Iwaki City. In addition to showcasing traditional and contemporary Japanese culture and arts, such as Shodo (calligraphy), ikebana (flower arranging), Tea Ceremony and more, the Cosplay fashion contest and Kendama returned this year  and the popular mochi pounding demonstration and mochi making offered tasty samplings for attendees to enjoy.  Mahalo to Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, and the County of Kaua‘i for their support!  This was once again a wonderful celebration of the culture and arts of Japan.     

Travel Trade on Kaua‘i:  

October 19 – 21, 2024, Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau (KVB) partnered with the Hawai‘i Tourism Europe (HTE) with a media press group FAM of four from Germany; the National Geographic Traveler, RND news agency, and photographer and freelance writers. The group toured the island by air with Safari Helicopters, bicycled the east coast views on Ka Ala Hele Makālae, viewed the Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Lookout, taste testing at the new Lydgate Chocolate Tasting Room, and enjoying the mo‘olelo told by Chucky Boy Chuck at the Kaua‘i Museum, and having lunch at our recent awardee of the HTA 2024 Tourism Legacy Award, Hamura Saimin. Mahalo nui loa to our members for their continued support; the Koa Kea Hotel & Spa and the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay for their accommodations, Safari Helicopters, Lydgate Farms, and Kaua‘i Museum.     

HTE Germany Media Group enjoys lunch at Hamura Saimin, recently awarded for the HTA 2024 Tourism Legacy Award. They enjoyed their saimin, won ton, and lilikoʻi chiffon pie!  

Kaua‘i Museum’s Director Chucky Boy Chock engages the HTE group with mo‘olelo of the Ha‘aheo of Hawai‘i vessel, King Kaumuali‘i, and Princess Ka‘iulani’s tribute to the health system for the Hawaiian Nā wāhine and keiki.    

Public Relations Events on Kaua‘i:  

The KVB public relations team hosted three travel writers on Kaua‘i from October 14-18 focusing on romance, outdoor adventure, and shop and support local. The group toured the Nāpali Coast by catamaran aboard Holo Holo Charters, viewed Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Lookouts, enjoyed lunch at Waimea Plantation Cottages by Aletha Thomas of Cooking Kaua‘i, walked around the Kaua‘i Culinary Market at The Shops at Kukui‘ula , shopped at Alakoko Store, took a lei po‘o workshop with Elvrine Chow of Heavenly Hakus, staged a photo shoot at The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Līhu‘e, went on a chocolate farm tour at Lydgate Farms and took a wild ride on Kaua‘i Safaris Rum Tasting Tour. The group stayed in Po‘ipū at Ko‘a Kea Resort on Po‘ipū Beach and in Līhu‘e at The Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort Līhu‘e. The writers write for various travel publications, including AFAR, PS (formerly known as POPSUGAR), Thrillist, and more. Mahalo to our KVB partners for your support!. 

Events: 

For more events, please visit www.gohawaii.com and www.kauaifestivals.com  

 Hawai‘i Internation Film Festival https://hiff.org/2024-fall-grid/?_venues=kauai-community-college 

November 1 - 3, 2024  

Eō e ‘Emalani   https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/events/eo-e-emalani 

November 2, 2024  

Kaua‘i Veterans Celebration https://www.downtownlihue.com/kauaiveteransNovember 2, 2024  

Old Kapa‘a Town Ho‘olaulea Multi-Cultural Event & First Saturday Art Walk https://kbakauai.org/first-saturday-art-walk/ 

November 2, 2024  

Downtown Līhu‘e 2nd Saturday Night Market https://www.downtownlihue.com/night-market-details 

November 9, 2024  

Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kaua‘i Style, 32nd Annual https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/events/hawaiian-slack-key-guitar-festival-kauai-style-32nd-annual 

November 24, 2024  

Kaua‘i Turkey Trot & Shoot https://www.kauaiturkeytrot.org/ 

November 28, 2024