Hawaii’s largest hospitality trade group will convene a high ‑level public safety summit next month as part of a growing statewide push to keep visitors, residents, and hospitality workers safe.
The Hawai ‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, in partnership with four key organizations, will host the 8th Annual Visitor Public Safety Conference on Jan. 7 at the Ala Moana Hotel. The half-day event will bring together leaders from law enforcement, emergency management, tourism, and community groups to address emerging threats and improve coordination across agencies.
HLTA President and CEO Mufi Hannemann said the conference has, for nearly a decade, served as a forum for sharing best practices and strengthening systems across government and industry. He noted that Waikiki Safe & Sound—launched in 2022—grew directly out of discussions at a previous conference.
The Safe & Sound partnership, led by the Waikiki Business Improvement District, the Honolulu Mayor’s Office, Honolulu Police Department, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and community partners including HLTA, has reported significant gains in its first two years : a 48 % drop in drug ‑ and alcohol ‑related crimes, a 19 % decline in robberies, a 30 % reduction in burglaries, and a 22 % decrease in criminal property damage.
“Hawaii’s tourism industry thrives when visitors feel safe and welcome, ” Hannemann said in a statement. “Every conference we have had has resulted in positive and productive outcomes.”
The 2026 program opens with breakfast at 7 :30 a.m., followed by remarks from Hannemann ; Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi ; Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm ; and Honolulu Police Department interim Chief Rade Vanic. Broadcaster Rick Hamada will serve as emcee.
The first panel, from 8 :50 to 9 :50 a.m., focuses on emergency management and will be moderated by Waikiki Improvement Association President Rick Egged. Panelists include Jennifer Walter, deputy director of the Department of Emergency Management ; Jerry Dolak, director of safety and security at Hilton Hawaiian Village and president of the Hawaii Hotel & Visitor Industry Security Association ; John Vierra of the Hawai ‘i Emergency Management Agency ; and Thomas Foti, general manager of the Moana Surfrider and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani.
Dolak said in a statement that Waikiki’s greatest vulnerability in any emergency is access to food, water, and diesel fuel, noting the district lacks storage capacity to sustain essential supplies for more than a few days. “Our resilience depends on rapid resupply and strong coordination among hotels, government agencies, and private partners, ” he said.
Egged added that current plans remain inadequate to ensure safety for residents, workers, and guests. “We must do better, ” he said in a statement.
At 9 :55 a.m., the conference shifts to technology with a “talk story ” session featuring Mike Lambert, director of law enforcement for the Department of Law Enforcement, and Trevor Abarzua, president and executive director of the Waikiki Business Improvement District. Abarzua said the district is deploying 21st ‑century tools—including camera systems, drone support, license plate readers, and noise detection equipment—to strengthen public safety. “Our goal is simple : to set a new national standard for what modern, visitor ‑ focused public safety looks like, ” he said.
The final panel, Financial Crimes Against Visitors, runs from 10 :45 to 11 :45 a.m. Panelists include HPD Detective Gregg Kawamoto ; Jessica Lani Rich, president and CEO of the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai ‘i ; U.S. District Attorney Ken Sorenson ; and HPD Lts. Daniel Jasco and Ioane Keehu.
Rich said Hawaii must confront financial risks facing travelers, from beach thefts to fraudulent vacation rental schemes. “Financial crimes against our visitors can ruin a Hawai ‘i dream vacation and affect tourism, our number one industry, ” she said.
Tickets are $30. More information is available at.
