HONOLULU – On December 3, 2010, PATA-Hawai‘i Chapter, Travel and Tourism Research Association-Hawaii (TTRA-Hawaii) and Meeting Professionals International (MPI) hosted the Industry Holiday Breakfast at the Halekulani Hotel.  

Once again, the Visitor Aloha Society (VASH) was chosen as the recipient of the fundraising efforts of the three organizations.  VASH, a volunteer organization, founded in 1997 by the Rotary Club, shares the aloha spirit with visitors who have been victims of crime or other unfortunate incidences.  VASH provides assistance and many other means of support to our visitors.  VASH President and Executive Director, Jessica Lani Rich expressed VASH’s appreciation for the support that it receives from the community thru efforts such as this breakfast fundraiser.  

Industry Professionals were also treated to a presentation by Aloha McGuffie, Program Manager, from the non-profit Manoa Heritage Center.  Their mission is to promote the thoughtful stewardship of natural and cultural heritage of Hawai‘i.  The Manoa valley center conducts tours for schoolchildren, has an agricultural heiau and supports learning experiences to promote the love of nature.  

This year’s silent auction successfully raised twice the revenue over last year’s event.  The auctions’ success was made possible by generous donations from all aspects of our visitor industry and its partners.