Kaua'i

18 Kauaʻi Programs Awarded 2022 HTA Community Enrichment Funding

Feb 2, 2022

Continuing its reinvestment in Hawaiʻi’s communities, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) has announced it is awarding $2.9 million in funding to support 86 community-based projects, festivals and events through its Community Enrichment program for 2022 – including 18 programs on Kauaʻi.

Recipients include nonprofit organizations that are supporting quality experiences created by the communities to be shared with residents and visitors. The Community Enrichment program supports an array of festivals, events and programs in the areas of agriculture, culture, culinary, nature, education, health and wellness, sports, and voluntourism.

Kauaʻi Community Enrichment Awardees

Aha Hui E Kala – Lāwaʻi International Center
Cultural Awareness Events 2022

Anaina Hou Community Park
Buy Local Culinary Experience

Arts Kauaʻi
Kauaʻi Songwriters Music Festival

Equine Therapy Inc.
Healing Horses Kauaʻi Lesson Series, Camps, Special Events, Trainings, and Public Relations

Friends of King Kaumualiʻi
He Inoa No Kaumualiʻi & Moʻokūʻauhau O Ka Lāhui

Garden Island Arts Council
E Kanikapila Kākou 2022

Hanapēpē Economic Alliance
2022 Kauaʻi Chocolate & Coffee Festival

Historic Waimea Theater & Cultural Arts Center
2022 Waimea Town Celebration: Heritage of Aloha

Hui o Laka
Kōkeʻe Plum Orchard Project

Kauaʻi Museum
Kauaʻi Museum Cultural Exhibit Program

Kauaʻi Rodeo & Roping Club
2022 Paniolo Heritage Rodeo

Kauaʻi Soto Zen Temple
Soto Zen Bon Festival

Kauaʻi Veterans Council
2022 Kauaʻi Veterans Day Parade and Fair

Kumano I Ke Ala o Makaweli
Kulāiwi Connection

Poʻipū Beach Organization
Poʻipū Food & Wine Festival

Poʻipū Beach Resort Association
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Poʻipū Beach Park

Rice Street Business Association
Battle of the Food Trucks

The Kauaʻi Marathon
The 2022 Kauaʻi Marathon and Half Marathon

“Our Community Enrichment program enables the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority to serve as the connecting point between tourism and meaningful economic diversification by reinvesting in these community-based experiences spanning various industries,” said Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā, HTA’s Chief Brand Officer. “We are proud to support the efforts of our residents in their communities, as these festivals and events are an integral part of Hawaiʻi’s lifestyle and multi-cultural brand.”

The Community Enrichment program is a part of HTA’s commitment toward Mālama Kuʻu Home (caring for my beloved home) and the Community pillar of its 2025 Strategic Plan. Since 2017, HTA has invested over $3.8 million to support more than 200 community projects and events.

HTA partnered with the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) and the Island Chapters to administer its Community Enrichment program for 2022. A request for proposals was issued on September 27, 2021 with submittals from applicants received by November 5, 2021. Proposals were reviewed thoroughly by a committee on each island comprised of representatives from the respective Island Chapter, County, and HTA.

“The Community Enrichment Program supports events and programming organized and implemented by members of our own Hawaiʻi communities,” said John Monahan, HVCB’s President and CEO. “From a hospitality standpoint, these events not only provide our visitors with authentic and meaningful experiences, but also create opportunities for the community to participate in actively shaping Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry. It is a privilege to support these local events that bring people together in celebration of our islands’ diverseculture.”

For more information about the Community Enrichment program, visit: www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/what-we-do/hta-programs/community-enrichment/.