MEDIA RELEASE
HONOLULU—The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA), the state’s tourism agency, in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, and the Counties of Hawai‘i, Maui and Kaua‘i, have selected 98 events and programs statewide to receive funding under its County Product Enrichment Program (CPEP) for 2013.
“As part of our marketing efforts to perpetuate and promote authentic and unique experiences on Hawai‘i Island, the HTA has selected CPEP events that reflect the distinction of each island and what makes it a one-of-a-kind destination,†said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the HTA. “Our partnership with the County of Hawai‘i has allowed us to showcase year-round experiences exclusive to Hawai‘i Island, that highlight our people, place and culture for both residents and visitors to enjoy.â€
In line with the HTA’s Strategic Plan to support Hawai‘i’s community programs and events, CPEP aims to provide visitors with unique experiences throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The HTA, together with the County of Hawai‘i and the Big Island Visitors Bureau, is working with the recipients to align their programs with the branding set forth by the HTA.
This year, the HTA is funding 18 events for the island, including the Hilo Grown Ag-Tour, Ka‘ū Coffee Festival, and Hula Arts at Kilauea in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, providing even greater diversity to Hawai‘i’s tourism profile for Hawai‘i Island.
CPEP was created in 2002 as a partnership between the HTA and the counties to strengthen and diversify Hawai‘i’s tourism product and provide a quality visitor experience. Through the program, the four counties receive HTA funding and other resources for tourism product enrichment activities to support projects in the niche areas of agritourism, cultural tourism, ecotourism, edutourism, health and wellness tourism, sports, and technotourism in their respective counties.
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is a state agency established by law in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry and tourism economy in the state of Hawai‘i. As the state’s tourism authority, its mission is to strategically manage tourism to optimize benefits for Hawai‘i, integrating the interests of visitors, the community and visitor industry. Through the implementation of the statewide Hawai‘i Tourism Strategic Plan and HTA’s own strategic plan, the authority works to direct Hawai‘i tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with our economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires and visitor industry needs. For more information on the HTA, please visitwww.hawaiitourismauthority.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
HAWAI‘I ISLAND
Project Title | Organization | Date | Website |
Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo | Hawai‘i Horse Owners, Inc. | Feb. 16-17 | www.hawaiirodeostampede.com |
Project Art Festival | HÅlualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture (Donkey Mill Art Center) | April 12-13 | www.donkeymillartcenter.org |
Ka‘ū Coffee Festival | Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council | May 4-5 | www.bigislandrcd.org |
Puna Music Festival | Kalani HÅnua, Inc. | May 5-11 | www.punamusicfestival.com |
Big Island Film Festival | Redeeming Light International, Inc. | May 23-27 | www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com |
Hawai‘i Island International Volleyball Classic | Destination Hilo | June 16-23 | www.destinationhilo.com |
24th Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival | East Hawai‘i Cultural Council | July 13-14 | www.ehcc.org |
54th Annual Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament | Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament | Aug. 3-10 | www.hibtfishing.com |
Kona Swim Classic | Hawai‘i Sport Events LLC | Sept. 29 | |
Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range | LaupÄhoehoe Train Museum | Oct. 4 | www.tasteofthehawaiianrange.com |
Hawai‘i Yoga Festival | Kalani HÅnua, Inc. | Nov. 9-17 | www.hawaiiyogafestival.com(goes live Feb 2013) |
Aquaculture Farm Tasting Tours at NELHA | Friends of NELHA | Year round | www.FriendsOfNELHA.org |
Greenwell Garden Hawaiian Plant Walks | Bishop Museum | Year round | www.bishopmuseum.org |
Hilo Grown Ag-Tour | Hawai‘i Agri-Tourism Association (HATA) | Year round | www.hiagtourism.org |
Ho‘opūlama | Hawai‘i Wildlife Center | Year round | www.hawaiiwildlifecenter.org |
Hula Arts at Kīlauea in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park | Volcano Art Center | Year round | www.volcanoartcenter.org |
Palace Theater’s 12th Season of Events | Friends of the Palace Theater | Year round | www.hilopalace.com |
Leave a Reply