The Hawaii Tourism Authority has awarded more than $2.7 million in 2014 grants to 138 organizations statewide that enrich tourism through culture, natural resources and county-specific events across the isles.
"Our Product Enrichment Programs provide us with the unique opportunity to support community events and programs that our residents are able to enjoy, while also drawing visitors to experience our host and multi-cultures and vast natural resources," said Mike McCartney, HTA president and CEO. "Through our collective efforts with the four counties and the Hawaii Community Foundation, we are able to provide unique experiences that highlight our greatest assets — our people, place and culture."
The Waikiki Improvement Association received a $100,000 appropriation, the highest of any individual recipient. The grant will allow the WIA to continue its complimentary sunset torch lighting and Hawaiian hula show this year, said WIA President Rick Egged. Though the programs are funded by the city and the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa, Egged said HTA support is critical.
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HTA RECIPIENTS
The Hawaii Tourism Authority has awarded $2.74 million in product enrichment grants. Here are the top five:
» Waikiki Improvement Association:
Kuhio Beach Hula and Torch Lighting, $100,000
» Makauila:
Project Kuleana, $68,000
» Nature Conservancy:
Kaneohe Bay Reef Restoration, $50,000
» Kohala Center:
Kohala Watershed Partnership, $50,000
» Hoomalu Kau:
Manuka Land Protection Project, $45,000
Source: HTA
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"Without HTA we wouldn’t be able to do these programs, which we think are an important amenity for our visitors," Egged said. "It’s the only all-Hawaiian free hula show in Waikiki."
Makauila, the second-largest award recipient, aims to make a video of Hawaiian musicians, expressing the value of Hawaiian culture and defining kuleana (responsibility). Makauila is a nonprofit that supports the use of Hawaiian language through the production and distribution of multimedia content.
The Kohala Center aims to support the Koaia Corridor by upgrading the hunter road at the public access gate; providing interpretive signs, a trail map and a brochure for the three-quarter-mile trail in the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Koaia Tree Sanctuary; funding invasive plant control; and constructing water catchments.
The Nature Conservancy is working to restore Kaneohe Bay’s threatened coral reef ecosystems and marine life and to prevent non-native algae regrowth by culturing and repopulating the reef with native sea urchins.
Hoomalu Kau will complete a 15-acre biological survey of Hawaii island’s Mamalahoa Highway, which contains a native Hawaiian dry-land forest. The organization also will complete an archeological survey of the property; install a predator-resistant and anti-acid-rain fence; and publish and distribute a 12-page booklet detailing the region’s rare and threatened species.
Among the smaller award recipients was the Waikiki Community Center, which got $10,000 to support its annual Duke Kahanamoku Challenge, a cultural and sporting event honoring Hawaii’s water people.
"This is the first time that we’ve received HTA funding, and it couldn’t have come at a better time," said Caroline Hayashi, the center’s executive director.
"Our main sponsor, Hilton Hawaiian Village, warned us that this coming year that while they will continue their pro bono support, they would gradually start cutting back on financial support," Hayashi said. "We continue to look for additional sponsors, so without HTA it would have been very difficult for us to do the event this year."
