STATEMENT REGARDING HTA MARKETING AND DESTINATION MANAGEMENT CONTRACT

 News Release from CNHA, Dec 1, 2022

“The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) is encouraged by Governor-elect Josh Green’s recent media comments expressing his preference to broker an expeditious resolution to the dispute surrounding our winning bid of the State’s primary tourism marketing and destination management contract.

We agree with Governor-Elect Green that the State cannot afford to continue to waste time and resources delaying the execution of this contract, which serves as a critical tool to bringing U.S. tourists to Hawaiʻi and to minimizing the impacts of visitors to the islands. CNHA was awarded the job because our proposal best demonstrated that tourism can be managed in a way that uplifts local businesses, protects our natural environment, and heralds our rich culture.

This misguided proposal would require the State to re-start this entire procurement process from scratch for the third time in just over a year. This would do all Hawaiʻi a major disservice.

Moreover, the proposed decision is unlawful. Hawaiʻi law requires fair and equitable treatment for all bidders of public works and provides for a procurement process designed to ensure those core values are upheld. CNHA participated in good faith in that process and won the award following Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s comprehensive review of the bidders.  

The law requires that CNHA, as the awardee, receive the contract. Hawaiʻi law does not support the rescission of an award without a finding that the award was in violation of the law. CNHA intends to ensure that the law is followed and is prepared to respond decisively to any legally unwarranted efforts to undo the award to CNHA. 

Nevertheless, CNHA remains committed to helping to transform Hawaiʻi’s main economic driver. We look forward to working closely with the new Administration after Monday’s inauguration to expeditiously resolve this dispute.

Statement attributed to Kuhio Lewis, CNHA CEO

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Dec 3, 2022 SA Editorial: Settle Hawaii’s tourism contract

Nov 29, 2022: DBEDT to re-Bid CNHA Tourism Contract (again)

Nov 30, 2022: Resolving tourism marketing dispute will fall to incoming governor

BACKGROUND:

• Oct, 2022: HVCB and CNHA "have found a way forward in partnership"

• Oct, 2022: Dirty OHA Contract is Model for CNHA Takeover of Tourism Marketing

• Sept, 2022: CNHA Terrified of COVID Fraud Investigation

• Sept, 2022: OHA Docs: CNHA Guilty of COVID Fraud?

• Aug, 2022: How Hawaii Tourism Authority Rigged Procurement for CNHA

• July, 2022: (Another) Chief Procurement Officer Flees HTA in Midst of CNHA Scandal

• June, 2022 Fraud: CNHA Should be Banned from Future bidding

• June, 2022: HVCB Protest Focuses on CNHA-Stacked Selection Committee

• June, 2022: CNHA Got Contract by Kicking Tourism Industry Professionals off Committee and Lying About Transition Team

• June, 2022: CNHA Swipes Juicy Mainland Tourism Marketing Contract from HVCB