“I had a blast,” said Gary Baldwin of the Kauai Economic Development Board, speaking about his time as a charter board member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. During his four years as the HTA member representing Kaua’i and Ni’ihau, Baldwin
“I had a blast,” said Gary Baldwin of the Kauai Economic Development Board, speaking about his time as a charter board member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
During his four years as the HTA member representing Kaua’i and Ni’ihau, Baldwin acted as the authority’s chief financial officer, budget builder, and in many other capacities before the fledgling organization charged with the huge task of promoting tourism to the state got a real staff of its own.
His term expired Sunday, June 30, and Kapa’a resident Nadine Nakamura was appointed by Gov. Ben Cayetano, and approved by the state Senate, to replace Baldwin on the HTA board.
In an e-mail to several people in and out of the visitor industry, Baldwin said his good-byes as he hung up his HTA hat.
“I want to thank all of you for your help and cooperation over the last four years. It has been challenging at times, fun at times, but always worthwhile,” he said.
“Together we ‘made a difference.’ Kaua’i has consistently been the island leader in attendance at all HTA community outreach events, and I would hope that this continues with our new representative, Nadine Nakamura.
“Please join me in welcoming Nadine, and to express my support for her efforts,” he concluded.
