LIHUE — More than 20 organizations and events are getting funding from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, part of a total of 95 events and programs that received money in varying amounts through HTA’s Community Enrichment Program.
HTA’s CEP funds a diverse array of festivals, events and year-round programs in support of culture, culinary arts, education, health and wellness, nature, agriculture, sports, technology and voluntourism. The festivals and events are often heavily attended by residents and visitors.
The funds are generated from tourism dollars through the state Transient Accommodations Tax, which people pay when they stay in legal accommodations throughout the state.
Funding recipients include nonprofit groups, community organizations and businesses with not-for-profit events. HTA issued a request for proposals on May 2 with the deadline of July 5 to submit applications. HTA staff held informational briefings about the submission process on all six main islands in May.
“We are proud to support these programs and events that make Hawaii so special for our residents and communities,” said Caroline Anderson, HTA director of community enrichment.
”These experiences can be enjoyed by both locals and visitors, and showcase our islands’ rich heritage and multi-cultural communities. HTA is able to invest in these programs because of the TAT revenue generated from our visitor industry,” said Anderson.
HTA also provides funding through its Kukulu Ola and Aloha Aina programs. The awardees for those programs for 2020 will be announced soon.
On Kauai, some of the recipients included festivals like thee Waimea Town Celebration, Heritage of Aloha 2020, Koloa Plantation Days Festival, Kauai Marathon and Half Marathon, Heiva I Kauai, Poipu Beach Foundation’s New Year’s Eve celebration, Kauai Museum cultural exhibits, Kauai Chocolate and Coffee Festival, and Storybook Theatre of Hawaii’s Princess Ka‘iulani Keiki Hula and Story Fest.
