Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Board Names Mufi Hannemann as Chair

by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:50 AM ET, Thu December 14, 2023

WHY IT RATES: Mufi Hannemann, the new chair of the HTA, is the former mayor of Honolulu, has worked in executive roles at the Hawai'i Lodging and Tourism Association and serves on the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. — Lacey Pfalz, Associate Writer, TravelPulse

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) Board of Directors elected longtime business executive and political leader Mufi Hannemann to serve as its new chair at a special board meeting today, with the appointment effective immediately. Educator and social impact entrepreneur Mahina Paishon will continue to serve as vice chair for the board.

Chair Hannemann stated, “HTA carries with it the duty to always do what’s best for the future of Hawai‘i and its people, while guiding our state’s largest and most important industry to be continually successful in the extremely competitive global tourism economy. I’m honored to have the board’s confidence in serving as chair and look forward to working collaboratively with Governor Josh Green, our Legislature, and HTA’s leadership team to respond to the challenges faced by the industry so that everyone can share in the benefits tourism generates for Hawai‘i, while also taking care of our communities.”

Chair Hannemann has one of the most accomplished business, tourism and political backgrounds in modern Hawai‘i history, highlighted by his successful tenure as the former director of DBEDT, Honolulu mayor from 2005 to 2010, and the strong relationships he has established with leaders in the key sectors of Hawai‘i’s business community. Hannemann currently serves as president and chief executive officer of the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association, a position he has held for a decade. He also currently serves as a member of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (TTAB).

Former Chair Blaine Miyasato stepped out of the board chair position due to work responsibilities associated with the December 3 announcement that Alaska Airlines is acquiring his employer, Hawaiian Airlines. Miyasato has dedicated nearly four decades of service to Hawaiian Airlines, working his way up from flight attendant to the executive level. He currently serves as Managing Director of State Government Affairs.

Miyasato will continue to serve the HTA as a board member. He commented, “I enjoyed tremendously my tenure as chair and seeing first-hand all the good that the HTA and the tourism industry can accomplish for our state and its people. Chair Hannemann will do a superb job as chair in guiding the HTA to fulfill its mission.”

HTA Interim President and CEO Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i said, “Mufi Hannemann is a proven, well-respected leader who has a strong vision and passion for how HTA and tourism can make Hawaiʻi a better place to live and work. We are grateful to Former Chair Miyasato for his leadership, and we look forward to working with Chair Hannemann to continue HTA’s work on behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi.”

HTA’s Board of Directors is a policy-making entity comprised of 12 members who meet monthly to guide the agency’s work on behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi.

SOURCE: Hawai'i Tourism Authority press release.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.