A discussion on the road to recovery for Hawai‘i’s number one industry
HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation (HAF) will host its 13th episode of EAT THINK DRINK in partnership with the Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association (HLTA) in this last segment of the Open for Business series: Let’s Talk Tourism on Tuesday, December 15 from 6-7pm, online via Zoom Webinar.
The mandatory 14-day quarantine, travel restrictions and shutdowns imposed since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has almost decimated our visitor industry, displacing an estimated 25 percent of our local workforce. As unemployment numbers skyrocketed to Great Depression levels, it’s clear that Hawai‘i needs its number one industry.
For this special episode of EAT THINK DRINK, HLTA President & CEO, former City & County of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, will open the discussion with his remarks on the far-reaching effects of tourism and the outlook for the state’s top industry going forward. He will introduce economist Paul Brewbaker, Principal of TZ Economics, to provide a contextual frame of reference on the economy and deliver relevant statewide statistics.
Senator Glenn Wakai, Senate Chairman of the Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism Committee will moderate a panel discussion with several hospitality industry sectors –attractions, air travel, lodging, and ground transportation. They will discuss their respective pandemic experiences, the importance of safely reopening the tourism industry, and opportunities for growth and improvement. The panel will feature:
John Morgan, President of Kualoa Ranch, Inc.
Blaine Miyasato, Managing Director, State and Local Government Affairs for Hawaiian Airlines
Craig Anderson, VP Operations for Mauna Kea Resort
Joslyn Bantilan, Account Manager – Hotel, Travel Industry for Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo Rent A Car & National Car Rental
“We’re excited to partner with HLTA for this EAT THINK DRINK discussion. What we’ve learned from this pandemic is that all of our industries are interconnected,” says Denise Yamaguchi, HAF executive director. “The blow to the tourism industry has not only been devastating for those who have been furloughed, but it has also caused a major disruption in our food supply chain, which has affected our local farmers, ranchers and fishermen.”
“The Hawai’i Lodging & Tourism Association is pleased to continue our growing partnership with the Hawai’i Agricultural Foundation to offer the latest iteration of HAF’s popular EAT THINK DRINK series,” said HLTA President & CEO Mufi Hannemann. “The tourism sector has a synergistic relationship with both the agricultural and the food service industry and it is only fitting that we bring together a cadre of some of our finest tourism professionals and stakeholders for this event.”
This special event will take place online via Zoom Webinar. Register online for $10.
HAF has also partnered with select Food-A-Go-Go restaurants across the state to offer attendees tuning in from across the state a meal to take home and enjoy during the event. The $10 event registration fee is waived for all EAT & DRINK takeout orders. Featured restaurants on O‘ahu include M by Chef Mavro, Roy’s Hawai‘i Kai and Zia’s Caffe; on Kaua‘i – Keoki’s Paradise; on the Island of Hawai‘i – Papa Kona Restaurant and Bar. More restaurants will be announced soon!
Here’s how it works:
Register to reserve your spot for $10 (incl. taxes & ticketing fees) on Eventbrite. Skip this step if you’re purchasing a takeout order from one of our featured Food-A-Go-Go restaurants. Event registration is FREE when you choose to takeout an EAT & DRINK order!
Purchase a meal for one at $35 (incl. taxes & ticketing fees) from one of our featured Food-A-Go-Go restaurants. Add-on a drink for $15. All proceeds from takeout orders go back to support HAF programs. The order deadline is 4:00pm on Tuesday, December 8 *Our restaurant partners are operating under the current restrictions and guidance provided by their respective local liquor commission. Please check with your restaurant and current County regulations.
Check out and complete the payment process. A link to join the webinar will be included in the confirmation email. If you purchased an EAT & DRINK order, please follow the instructions in the confirmation email to setup a pick-up time with the restaurant for the event on Tuesday, December 15.
On Wednesday, October 14, pick up your EAT & DRINK order at your selected restaurant at your confirmed time.
At 6pm, tune in for EAT THINK DRINK 13: Let’s Talk Tourism
EAT THINK DRINK was initially developed by HAF to bring the community together to discuss issues around food sustainability and security; however, as various industries in Hawai‘i are now facing hardship due to government mandated shutdowns of deemed non-essential businesses, many are on a long and difficult road to economic recovery. By sharing the platform with other organizations and industries, there will be opportunities for broader discussions as Hawai‘i navigates its way through the delicate balance of health and public safety as it directly relates to COVID-19 and the health of our local economy.
HAF reformatted EAT THINK DRINK to a monthly Open for Business series to provide a platform for partners in business and trade organizations to share the stories of their constituents – Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Food Industry Association, Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association, Hawai‘i Restaurant Association, Hawai‘i Retail Merchants Association.
EAT THINK DRINK is supported by Alexander & Baldwin, Bayer, Kamehameha Schools, Lendlease, Mahi Pono, State of Hawai‘i, and Ulupono Initiative.
About Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation The Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization created to promote agriculture and farming. Established in 2007, HAF’s mission is to support and sustain Hawai‘i’s agricultural industry by addressing critical needs and services of farmers and the agricultural industry in Hawai‘i, and by better connecting the farmers with the community and vice-versa.
LET’S TALK TOURISM AT EAT THINK DRINK
A discussion on the road to recovery for Hawai‘i’s number one industry
HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation (HAF) will host its 13th episode of EAT THINK DRINK in partnership with the Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association (HLTA) in this last segment of the Open for Business series: Let’s Talk Tourism on Tuesday, December 15 from 6-7pm, online via Zoom Webinar.
The mandatory 14-day quarantine, travel restrictions and shutdowns imposed since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has almost decimated our visitor industry, displacing an estimated 25 percent of our local workforce. As unemployment numbers skyrocketed to Great Depression levels, it’s clear that Hawai‘i needs its number one industry.
For this special episode of EAT THINK DRINK, HLTA President & CEO, former City & County of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, will open the discussion with his remarks on the far-reaching effects of tourism and the outlook for the state’s top industry going forward. He will introduce economist Paul Brewbaker, Principal of TZ Economics, to provide a contextual frame of reference on the economy and deliver relevant statewide statistics.
Senator Glenn Wakai, Senate Chairman of the Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism Committee will moderate a panel discussion with several hospitality industry sectors –attractions, air travel, lodging, and ground transportation. They will discuss their respective pandemic experiences, the importance of safely reopening the tourism industry, and opportunities for growth and improvement. The panel will feature:
“We’re excited to partner with HLTA for this EAT THINK DRINK discussion. What we’ve learned from this pandemic is that all of our industries are interconnected,” says Denise Yamaguchi, HAF executive director. “The blow to the tourism industry has not only been devastating for those who have been furloughed, but it has also caused a major disruption in our food supply chain, which has affected our local farmers, ranchers and fishermen.”
“The Hawai’i Lodging & Tourism Association is pleased to continue our growing partnership with the Hawai’i Agricultural Foundation to offer the latest iteration of HAF’s popular EAT THINK DRINK series,” said HLTA President & CEO Mufi Hannemann. “The tourism sector has a synergistic relationship with both the agricultural and the food service industry and it is only fitting that we bring together a cadre of some of our finest tourism professionals and stakeholders for this event.”
This special event will take place online via Zoom Webinar. Register online for $10.
HAF has also partnered with select Food-A-Go-Go restaurants across the state to offer attendees tuning in from across the state a meal to take home and enjoy during the event. The $10 event registration fee is waived for all EAT & DRINK takeout orders. Featured restaurants on O‘ahu include M by Chef Mavro, Roy’s Hawai‘i Kai and Zia’s Caffe; on Kaua‘i – Keoki’s Paradise; on the Island of Hawai‘i – Papa Kona Restaurant and Bar. More restaurants will be announced soon!
Here’s how it works:
Skip this step if you’re purchasing a takeout order from one of our featured Food-A-Go-Go restaurants. Event registration is FREE when you choose to takeout an EAT & DRINK order!
*Our restaurant partners are operating under the current restrictions and guidance provided by their respective local liquor commission. Please check with your restaurant and current County regulations.
If you purchased an EAT & DRINK order, please follow the instructions in the confirmation email to setup a pick-up time with the restaurant for the event on Tuesday, December 15.
REGISTER NOW! Attendance is limited.
LUCKY DRAW GIVEAWAYS
Attendees registering for the event will automatically be entered into a lucky draw to win prizes from local businesses!
All attendees on Oahu will also be eligible to receive a dozen eggs from Hawaiian Maid or Ka Lei Eggs!
For more information, visit OnoRevolution.com.
EAT THINK DRINK was initially developed by HAF to bring the community together to discuss issues around food sustainability and security; however, as various industries in Hawai‘i are now facing hardship due to government mandated shutdowns of deemed non-essential businesses, many are on a long and difficult road to economic recovery. By sharing the platform with other organizations and industries, there will be opportunities for broader discussions as Hawai‘i navigates its way through the delicate balance of health and public safety as it directly relates to COVID-19 and the health of our local economy.
HAF reformatted EAT THINK DRINK to a monthly Open for Business series to provide a platform for partners in business and trade organizations to share the stories of their constituents – Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Food Industry Association, Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association, Hawai‘i Restaurant Association, Hawai‘i Retail Merchants Association.
EAT THINK DRINK is supported by Alexander & Baldwin, Bayer, Kamehameha Schools, Lendlease, Mahi Pono, State of Hawai‘i, and Ulupono Initiative.
About Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation
The Hawai‘i Agricultural Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization created to promote agriculture and farming. Established in 2007, HAF’s mission is to support and sustain Hawai‘i’s agricultural industry by addressing critical needs and services of farmers and the agricultural industry in Hawai‘i, and by better connecting the farmers with the community and vice-versa.