The entire 12-member board of directors for the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) has resigned after last week’s formal request from Hawaii Gov. Josh Green.
In a video interview with Spotlight Now this week, Gov. Green complained about the former board’s ability to lead.
"A lot of the time, it was people taking shots at each other if they didn’t like one another very much,” he said. “I don’t like to operate that way. I find it very wasteful.”
Last month, Gov. Green signed an HTA overhaul bill, Senate Bill 1571, which stripped the board of its power over tourism policy and management. The bill designates the HTA as an advisory committee, but still gives the organization the power to choose and fire its CEO, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The president and CEO of HTA reports to Gov. Green.
Other stipulations of the bill include the removal of the Director of Business, Economic Development and Tourism as a member of the board, and includes a requirement that a member of the board represents a tourism-impacted entity.
Green will appoint a new board soon, which will be followed by Senate confirmation.
