MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Tourism Authority, the state’s tourism agency, has selected Mike McCartney as its new president and chief executive officer. He takes over April 6.  

“These are very difficult times for Hawaii and our visitor industry,” McCartney said. “It is our responsibility to all work together immediately to ensure the future success of Hawaii’s leading industry. I look forward to the challenges ahead and to working together with the HTA board and staff, the industry and the community in the coming months.”  

HTA chairman Kelvin Bloom said the board has confidence McCartney is the right person for the position. 

“During the search process, we looked for an individual who would be able to provide strong leadership and guidance to the organization, build exemplary relationships with the community, the tourism industry and government, and ensure that the goals of the authority are implemented in an effective manner,” Bloom said. “We are certain that Mike will accomplish this and help lead the tourism industry to a more prosperous future.”

McCartney will replace Lloyd I. Unebasami, HTA’s chief administrative officer, who has served as interim president and CEO since Oct. 9.

McCartney is currently the executive director of the Hawaii State Teachers Association. He was the former chair of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, former president and CEO of PBS Hawaii, former director of the Hawaii State Department of Human Resource Development, and served as a state senator for 10 years.  

Born and raised in Hawaii, McCartney is a graduate of Castle High School and received his B.S. from Pacific University in Oregon.  

The Hawaii Tourism Authority was created in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawai‘i tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with our economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.  

— Find out more:

Hawaii Tourism Authority: www.hawaiitourismauthority.org