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

 

Quick Glance: Upcoming Events – OVB Participation: 

Mark your calendars! HVCB is hosting its Statewide Virtual Media Blitz, and it's O‘ahu's turn to shine on August 18th. 

We want to include your exciting news! We're gathering all the best updates and highlights from our island to feature during the O‘ahu Virtual Media Blitz (OVB). If you have any updates or highlights you'd like to share, please send them to us in advance so we can include them in our island's coverage. Reach out to Catherine Orlans at corlans@hvcb.org with updates!  

 

O‘ahu Updates: 

Advance Reservations for USS Arizona Memorial Will Pause While Preservation Work Continues 

Effective July 9, the National Park Service temporarily suspends 56-day advance reservations for USS Arizona Memorial tours due to ongoing preservation work. This change affects advance reservations for tours starting on September 3rd and will continue until further notice. Reservations made for dates before September 3rd will be honored.   

 

Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design Expands Partnerships to Enhance Accessibility  

Shangri La is pleased to announce an expanded partnership with two premier cultural institutions, the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) and Bishop Museum, to enhance accessibility and visitor experience through an expanded tour format. This collaboration creates dual access points to Shangri La, significantly improving scheduling flexibility and accessibility. 

  • HoMA will continue hosting round-trip tours on Thursday and Friday. 

  • Bishop Museum will launch new Saturday tour departures beginning October 2, 2025.  

All tour reservations will be consolidated through a single, user-friendly platform via www.shangrilahawaii.org, with ticket sales launching in September 2025. 

 

City & County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management Updates:  

Tsunami Preparedness: Know the Difference, Be Ready! 

Did you get an alert about the tsunami watch last weekend? Do you know the difference between a tsunami watch and a tsunami warning? 
 

Understanding the distinctions between a tsunami watch, advisory, warning, and extreme warning is crucial for knowing exactly what actions to take to keep yourself and your family safe. And there are steps you can take today to be prepared before the next alert. 

 

Here's how you can get ready: 

  • Make a tsunami plan with your family. Find out if you live in a tsunami evacuation zone and plan where to go if you need to evacuate. Check your zone at honolulu.gov/tsunamievac. 

 

TRAVEL TRADE & SALES 

  • No news to report  

 

MARKETING, MESSAGING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS 

Upcoming Marketing & Sales Activities 

 

O‘ahu Media Visits:  

•    OVB Media Visit: Sunny Fitzgerald (Fodor’s), July 14-August 11, 2025 

•    HTUSA Media Visit: Noah Lederman (Travel & Leisure, Robb Report), July 25-August 11, 2025 

•    HTCan Media Visit:  George Coyle (LUXE Magazine, Fifty-Five Plus Magazine), August 12-17, 2025  

•    HTUSA Coverage: Muchies (VICE) focusing on O‘ahu culinary businesses, November 2025 

 

Recent Highlights and OVB Generated Coverage: 

  • We were thrilled to host Emily Caldwell from The Manual in May! Her visit focused on Oʻahu’s luxurious, once-in-a-lifetime getaway experiences. This collaboration has since resulted in five fantastic articles for The Manual, providing incredible destination coverage for our island. 

 

  • OVB sent the Q3 “What’s New on O‘ahu” release to media and HTA Global Marketing Teams on July 23.  The release already been picked up by media and has generated online coverage from Pride Journeys, the premier source for LGBTQ travel. They publish destination reviews in addition to lifestyle content that is both insightful and engaging to their readers. Their content focus on news, entertainment, food, wine, and culture.