WHAT’S NEW ON O‘AHU AND WITHIN THE INDUSTRY
 

Mu‘umu‘u Month (January)

  • The Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts is honored to partner with DeStash Hawaiʻi in paying tribute to the timeless tradition of beauty, style, and grace with two exhibits, held at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale, in celebration of Muʻumuʻu Month. Exclusive styles curated by Aunty Lei's personal collection will feature the legendary Bete-in celebration of their 66th anniversary of creating custom unique styles for the ladies of Hawaiʻi. Exhibits will remain open throughout January and are free and open to the public.
     

‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i Month (February)

  • Pai Ka Leo 2026: He ʻAha Mele Hawaiʻi, Makahiapo Lawn (Kapi’olani Community College), - January 31, 3pm- 8pm
    Pai Ka Leo will kick-off the beginning of Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (February) with special guests, a mākeke, and ‘ono food and drink vendors for your entire ‘ohana to enjoy!
     

Lunar New Year – Year of the Fire Horse

  • Chinatown Festival & Parade - 14 February, 9am - 10pm
    A family-friendly festival in Honolulu’s Historic Chinatown to welcome Lunar New Year which officially falls on 17 February, marking the beginning of the Year of the Horse.
     

Wahi Pana – Phase 3 launching in Q1

  • The Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts and Bloomberg Philanthropies are proud to launch Phase 3 Public Art Activations coming February 2026 for Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Garden, Hale‘iwa Beach Park, and Kahe Point Beach Park on O‘ahu.  https://wahipana.com/

 

TRAVEL TRADE & SALES

O‘ahu Destination Travel Trade Training

The O‘ahu Visitors Bureau (OVB) continues to deliver O‘ahu destination training and one-on-one travel trade appointments at key international and domestic events. Recent and upcoming activities include:

  • HTCAN Aloha Canada Sales Mission (KVB, OVB, MVCB, IHVB); 2-4 December 
    Along with the other IVBs, HTCanada and industry partners, OVB participated in the annual Aloha Canada in Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Events included a media event in Toronto with approximately 20 in attendance, and trade shows and destination presentations in each city. A total of 250 travel advisors attended the Sales Mission.

 

MARKETING, MESSAGING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public Relations Events and Hosting Media to Elevate O‘ahu’s Visibility

OVB continues to work with U.S. and global media partners to generate strong visibility for O‘ahu through earned media, strategic pitching, and on-island support.

  • IMM, New York; 20-22 January
    Along with the firm-wide HVCB team, OVB’s PR team attended IMM New York with over 20 scheduled one-on-one appointments with vetted media.      
     

Upcoming Visiting Media

  • Eliza and Shania, (Australia); Oʻahu; 23 February-1 March
    Content creators from Australia via HTO who will be on Oʻahu from February 23 to March 1 and will publish a couple of YouTube vlogs.  

 

Recent O‘ahu Public Relations Highlights & Coverage

Past Visiting Media in December 2025 & January 2026

  • HTK Influencer FAM (KVB, OVB); 7-9 December (O‘ahu)
    OVB & KVB supported HTK’s Influencer FAM in December, featuring Eunkyong Choi of The Self-Care Studio. OVB advised inclusion of more local cultural experiences and adding local farm and culinary experiences. 
     
  • Nandita Godbole (US); 17-21 December, Matador Network, Eater, LAist, Atlanta Magazine
    On assignment for a ‘Town & ’Country’-themed story exploring a dual-sided experience
     
  • James Murren (US); 5-12 January, WarKitchen, Paddling Magazine, Sessions Magazine, Adventure Sports Journal
    On assignment covering Twin Fin, coverage expanded with North Shore experiences.
     
  • Phylicia Stitzel (US); 6-16 January, blogger, photographer & influencer @thebackpacker_mom 
    Specializes in family travel and “world schooling” content
     

Generated coverage in December 2025 & January 2026

  • “Festive Holiday Markets in All 50 States” - HGTV - Deanne Revel - 1 December
  • “Local Picks for the Best Things to Do Across the Hawaiian Islands - Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi - 29 December