The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is navigating a leadership shake-up, with interim president and CEO Daniel Nahoopii and board chair Mufi Hannemann resigning within days of each other.
On March 20, the HTA announced Nahoopii's departure after 18 months at the helm. The HTA's interim chief administrative officer, Caroline Anderson, has replaced Nahoopii as interim president and CEO until the HTA's board selects a new leader.
Roughly a week later, Hannemann abruptly stepped down as HTA chairman after a state audit revealed that two organizations led by Hannemann -- the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association and Pacific Century Fellows -- received free services at the Hawaii Convention Center during his tenure as HTA chair. Hannemann is the HLTA's president and CEO and founder of Pacific Century Fellows.
The findings were discussed during a March 25 board meeting, during which Hannemann maintained that he either paid for the services or was invited to use the space.
Hannemann will remain a board member through the remainder of his term, which ends on June 30, 2027. HTA board member Todd Apo has been elected to replace Hannemann as HTA board chair, effective March 27.
Additional staffing changes include Ilihia Gionson, who resigned as HTA public affairs officer, effective Jan. 31. Kalani Kaanaana, the HTA's chief stewardship officer, has been named interim public affairs officer.
HTA restructuring is back on the agenda
The leadership crisis appears to have accelerated legislative efforts to restructure the HTA.
On March 28, the House Finance Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 1571. Introduced earlier this year, the measure would downgrade the HTA's board to an advisory role, reducing its decision-making authority, as well as require that the governor selects the HTA CEO with Senate confirmation.
It's not the first time the HTA has faced legislative scrutiny. In 2023, lawmakers introduced bills that would have abolished the agency, citing concerns about its effectiveness and management of tourism contracts. The effort to eliminate the HTA was ultimately unsuccessful.
This report was updated on April 2 to add that Hannemann will remain an HTA board member through the remainder of his term.