HONOLULU, Hawaii – The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state’s tourism agency, announced today the selection of 156 statewide programs and events through its Product Enrichment Program (PEP) for 2015.
The PEP consists of three HTA programs: County Product Enrichment Program (CPEP), partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, and the counties of Hawaii, Maui and Kauai; Kukulu Ola: Living Hawaiian Culture Program (LHCP) and Natural Resources Community-Based Program (NRCBP) in partnership with the Hawaii Community Foundation. There are 91 CPEP programs, 33 LHCP programs and 32 NRCBP programs statewide supported in 2015.
“Hawaii is a destination like no other in the world and our Product Enrichment Program highlights different ways in which our community comes together to make our home a better place for both residents and visitors to enjoy,” said Ronald Williams, HTA Chief Executive Officer. “These programs not only highlight the unique experiences found across the state, but also support the perpetuation of our host culture and the sustainability of our vast natural resources.”
In line with the HTA’s Strategic Plan to support Hawaii’s community programs and events, the goal of the PEP is to support community-based programs that enhance visitor experiences, as well as create opportunities for economic development, natural resources management, and perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture.
CPEP was created in 2002 as a partnership between the HTA and the counties to strengthen and diversify Hawaii’s tourism product and provide quality resident and visitor experiences. 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 HTA’s Natural Resources Program was established in 2002 to respect, enhance and maintain Hawaii’s unique natural resources and environment. From 2003, the HTA has provided at least $1 million each year to support efforts that manage, improve and protect Hawaii’s natural environment and areas that are frequented by residents and visitors through the Community-Based Natural Resources Program.
The projects selected under the HTA’s Kukulu Ola – Living Hawaiian Culture Program address the goals and objectives identified in the Hawaii Tourism Strategic Plan: 2005-2015 (TSP) for the Hawaiian Culture initiative. These include: strengthening the relationship between the visitor industry and the Hawaiian community; nurturing the Hawaiian culture by creating visitor experiences, activities and marketing programs that are respectful and accurate; and supporting Hawaiian programs and cultural practitioners, craftsmen, musicians and other artists that preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.
Additionally, the HTA continues to support other product development, natural resources and Hawaiian culture initiatives for the enhancement of Hawaii’s distinct product offerings for both visitors and residents to enjoy.
