Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 7, 1 July 2023 — Ka Huina 2023 Event Award [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ka Huina 2023 Event Award

V LAMAKU HO'OKIPA V ^ A BEACON OF HOSPITALITY *

By Mālia Sanders The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA) has been awarded a $50,000

contract from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority (HTA) to hold NaHHA's annual event, "Ka Huina." The contract comes as one of several announced contracts from HTA to support statewide community projects, festivals, and events as part of its Signature Events and Community Enrichment programs in 2023. We mahalo HTA for recognizing "Ka Huina," NaHHA's signature annual event, as an important space for sharing cultural knowledge and best practices while showcasing discussions among thought leaders. "Ka Huina" refers to an intersection or nexus between community, culture, tourism and sustainability - all relative and timely experiences in today's Hawai'i. Literally translated, "Ka Huina" refers to an intersection or nexus. This term serves as the central theme to this event, whieh explores the nexus in Hawai'i of community, culture, tourism and sustainability. Our eollective success in preserving the Hawai'i we love for future generations is dependent upon our ability to navigate this intersection. "The festivals and events being supported by our Signature Events and Community Enrichment programs are integral to Hawai'i's multi-cul-tural community and contribute to

a stronger, diversified economy," said John De Fries, HTA's president and CEO. "By providing funding assistance to these programs on eaeh island, we are vigorously supporting our kama aina - cultural practitioners, musicians, artists, athletes, production staff, nonprofit groups, and volunteers - who are sharing meaningful experiences with residents and visitors alike." The Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) O'ahu chapter, the O'ahu Visitors Bureau, will administer NaHHA's HTA contract. The date for "Ka Huina" will be released soon. To learn more about "Ka Huina" visit www.nahha.com/kahuina. ■ The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association ( NaHHA ) was founded in 1997 by Sen. Kenneth Brown and Dr. George Kanahele, two ieonie Hawaiian leaders who understood the implieations, opportunities and impacts that Hawai'i's largest industry was having on thepeople ofHawai'i, Hawaiian eulture, loeal ways and our state's natural and cultural resources. Lnspired by a shared vision ofHawai'i, Brown and Kanahele co-founded NaHHA to shape thefuture ofHawai'i tourism by utilizing Hawaiian cultural values as the foundation for business development and leadership. NaHHA promotes Hawaiian culture, values, and traditions in the workplace through consultation and education, and supports those who advance this mission. Learn more about NaHHA at www. nahha.com.

Mālia Sanders is the executive director ofthe Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association ( NaHHA ). Working to better connect theHawaiian community to the visitor industry, NaHHA supports thepeople whoprovide authentic experiences to Hawai'i's visitors. For more information go to www.nahha. eom Pollow NaHHA on Facebook, lnstagram, and Twitter @nahha808 and @kuhikuhi808.