John Defries News Today

The HTA board made the announcement on Thursday.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau will each get deals worth tens of millions of dollars.

After being omitted from the state budget, the Hawaii Tourism Authority will continue to promote Hawaii's brand for now.

The 25-year-old agency has been under growing scrutiny in recent months.

While lawmakers had Mike McCartney on the hot seat last week, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority was grilled about its part in the debacle on Tuesday. The Conversation talked to state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who along with other senators, was taken aback when the HTA president suggested that the agency once again be “exempted” from state procurement law.

"OHA is acknowledged, at least by those who created it back in 1978, as the fourth branch of Hawaii state government."

Among other changes, the head of a leading Hawaii tourism association is calling for mandatory certification in Native Hawaiian culture for all hospitality industry employees.

"I also will fight to bring back home Transient Accommodation Tax revenue to the counties to mitigate the impact of visitors – from emergency services to our public facilities and special places."

Looking Back: What was in The Blade this week back when

The state tourism authority is asking the Legislature for funding to rebrand Hawaii and attract visitors who might volunteer to plant trees, clean beaches and care for taro patches.