Allison Schaefers

Honolulu

Bureau Chief at Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Allison Schaefers, a national award-winning writer, covers Hawaii tourism for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. What could be better than a job that takes you to th

Articles

Tourism briefing reveals unexpected L.A. Rams expense

3 days ago | staradvertiser.com | Allison Schaefers

The state legislators in charge of tourism praised the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, but cried foul on HTA when it learned that the agency now expects to pick up the tab for the team’s welcome reception, estimated to cost from $80,000 to $100,000. Lawmakers brought to light the issues with HTA’s Rams contract during an informational briefing called by Rep. Adrian Tam (D, Waikiki), chair of the House Committee on Tourism, and Sen.
Budget delay puts HTA’s community grants in limbo

4 days ago | yahoo.com | Allison Schaefers

Hawai ‘i Tourism Authority’s community program applicants are in limbo because the agency’s budget was not approved in time to meet the award schedule and the delay is bumping up against the program’s fiscal-year start.
Waikiki’s latest wedding chapel hopes to boost romance travel

4 days ago | yahoo.com | Allison Schaefers

RELATED PHOTO GALLERY Jocelyn and Kana Palmer said “I do ” Thursday at the Kahawai Chapel at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort where panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean stretch forever. Instead of friends and family, however, the couple were surrounded by media and visitor industry members from Hawaii and Japan. The crowd was there to mark the partnership between Tsukaki Lognote Hawaii Ltd., and Outrigger Hospitality Group, which has produced Waikiki’s newest wedding venue.
Budget delay puts HTA’s community grants in limbo

4 days ago | staradvertiser.com | Allison Schaefers

Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s community program applicants are in limbo because the agency’s budget was not approved in time to meet the award schedule and the delay is bumping up against the program’s fiscal-year start.
Waikiki’s latest wedding chapel hopes to boost romance travel

4 days ago | staradvertiser.com | Allison Schaefers

Jocelyn and Kana Palmer said “I do” Thursday at the Kahawai Chapel at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort where panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean stretch forever. Instead of friends and family, however, the couple were surrounded by media and visitor industry members from Hawaii and Japan. The crowd was there to mark the partnership between Tsukaki Lognote Hawaii Ltd., and Outrigger Hospitality Group, which has produced Waikiki’s newest wedding venue.
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board in limbo as lawmakers call for briefing

5 days ago | yahoo.com | Allison Schaefers

The state legislators in charge of tourism are holding a post-session informational briefing Monday on the beleaguered Hawai ‘i Tourism Authority that could play out more like an exit interview. Gov. Josh Green’s office said in an email Wednesday that he plans on asking for courtesy resignations from the entire HTA board before the beginning of the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
Hawai‘i Tourism Authority board in limbo as lawmakers call for briefing

5 days ago | staradvertiser.com | Allison Schaefers

The state legislators in charge of tourism are holding a post-session informational briefing Monday on the beleaguered Hawai‘i Tourism Authority that could play out more like an exit interview. Gov. Josh Green’s office said in an email Wednesday that he plans on asking for courtesy resignations from the entire HTA board before the beginning of the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
Maui marketing campaign kicks off

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Allison Schaefers

A $6 million Maui emergency marketing campaign is finally underway some four months after Gov. Josh Green released the funds to help counter the continued softness from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and the expected downturn due to the wildfires in Los Angeles, Hawaii’s top tourism source market.
Maui marketing campaign kicks off

2 weeks ago | staradvertiser.com | Allison Schaefers

A $6 million Maui emergency marketing campaign is finally underway some four months after Gov. Josh Green released the funds to help counter the continued softness from the August 2023 Maui wildfires and the expected downturn due to the wildfires in Los Angeles, Hawaii’s top tourism source market.
DAGS takes on convention center project despite ‘aggressive’ timetable

2 weeks ago | staradvertiser.com | Allison Schaefers

The state Department of Accounting and General Services has pledged to help the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through a leadership change that put $100 million worth of Hawai‘i Convention Center repairs at risk. But it’s unclear if DAGS will be able to meet the planned two-year timeline and avert millions of dollars in lost group business.