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Hawai‘i’s visitor industry continues to show encouraging signs of recovery, bringing much-needed support to local businesses and communities. However, international markets—such as Japan—are rebounding at a slower pace. While other visitor markets show potential, global economic uncertainties remain a challenge.

Join us for our next luncheon on Thursday, April 17th to hear from a panel of industry experts as they discuss these critical factors, opportunities and strategies of Hawai‘i’s largest economic driver.

Topics will include:

• What is the current state of Hawai‘i’s visitor industry and projections for the near and long term?
• Is Hawai‘i relying on the Japan market’s return or are efforts being made to pivot toward other markets?
• What are the plans to rebuild travel demand for Maui and the rest of the state?
• How is the government and visitor industry working together to ensure a sustainable future?
• Are there any advances in new or developing tourism offerings in Hawai‘i?

Kiana Beimes is the general manager of OUTRIGGER Waikīkī Paradise (formerly known as the OHANA Waikīkī East by Outrigger). Beimes is responsible for the day-to-day management of the hotel, including daily hotel operations and services, such as guest relations, front desk, housekeeping, maintenance, expense management, team building and host development. Beimes was previously the hotel manager for OHANA Waikīki East by Outrigger. Prior to that, she was area director of front services overseeing Outrigger Waikīkī Beachcomber Hotel and OHANA Waikīkī East by Outrigger since 2021. Beimes holds an Associate of Science degree in hospitality and tourism with a concentration on hospitality operations management from Kapi‘olani Community College.

Rick Egged is the president of the Waikīkī Improvement Association (WIA), a private, nonprofit organization focusing on supporting the business environment of Waikīkī. He handles planning, legislative and community matters, working with the public and private sectors on a range of projects and improvements for Waikīkī.

Under Rick’s leadership, WIA developed Agenda Waikīkī, an action plan for Waikīkī revitalization, and supported Kūhiō Beach Park and Kalākaua Avenue improvements. Most recently, in response to concerns for public safety, WIA and other stakeholder organizations worked with the City and County of Honolulu to create Waikīkī Safe and Sound, a program that works to intensify law enforcement and ensure consequences for committing a crime, as well as reducing the problems that can lead to crime.

Jared Higashi is the vice president of government and community affairs at the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA), the state’s oldest private-sector visitor industry organization. In this role, he serves as a strong advocate for Hawai‘i’s tourism industry, working to support policies and initiatives that promote its growth, sustainability, and positive impact on the local community.

Jared’s work spans across major industry initiatives such as the Visitor Industry Charity Walk, the Visitor Public Safety Conference, the Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Awards, Tourism Day at the Capitol, and the Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show. He sits on the executive board of directors for the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai‘i. A graduate of Hawai‘i Baptist Academy, Jared earned his degree in media arts at San Jose State University.

Mahalo to our event partner, HVCB.