You’re a founding member of the law firm Cronin Fried Sekiya Kekina & Fairbanks. How did you end up on the HTA board of directors?
Governor Abercrombie asked me if I wanted to serve, and I agreed because I found the tourism industry very interesting as well as critical to Hawai‘i’s economy. I bring legal perspective to the board due to my background, but I’ve also been involved in hotel ownership for decades.
How have Hawai‘i’s visitor demographics changed in recent years?
Hawai‘i is receiving more millennial visitors. This younger generation of travelers are avid adventurers who want an authentic experience. They aren’t content with merely sunning themselves on the beach—they want to uncover the essence of Hawai‘i, be in touch with nature and meet new people.
How is HTA catering to this new demographic?
The term “Let Hawai‘i Happen” is more than just a slogan. It describes how visitors can come to the islands and surrender to an experience found nowhere else, an experience that is personal and creates lasting memories. Hawai‘i’s tourism industry is fortunate in that we are experiencing a sixth straight year of record visitor arrivals and visitor spending.
People worldwide want to experience the Hawaiian Islands, and the tourism industry is responding with new and more products, new innovations and new ways of enjoying life. Cuisine is an excellent example of how Hawai‘i has evolved over the years. Visitors are much more aware of Hawai‘i’s unique culinary offerings and enjoy foods inspired by its ethnic and cultural diversity.
What other trends and industry dynamics have you observed?
Technology has made us more informed and given travelers more options when choosing their travel experiences. Visitors can now research all there is to do and choose a variety of experiences to match their personal desires and interests. Through technology, global travelers find that Hawai‘i is a fun, exciting, rejuvenating destination that remains closely tied to its cultural heritage and to the admirable attributes that first attracted people here and keep them coming back.
Social media has also helped make Hawai‘i hugely appealing. Travelers post their photos on Facebook and Instagram and their network of friends worldwide want to come and experience the islands in the same way. This has translated into increased demand for the Hawai‘i experience. Global travelers recognize that Hawai‘i’s unique appeal, harmonious way of life, beautiful year-round weather, interesting attractions, friendly people and, most of all, its aloha spirit cannot be replicated by any other place in the world.
