Advisory Board Standing Committees
Standing Committees
Updated: March 25, 2026
Standing Committees and PIG Membership
ADMINISTRATIVE STANDING COMMITTEE (Quorum: 3 members)
Adopted: Sept. 11, 2025
This standing committee oversees the contract terms of the President and Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for making recommendations related to their evaluation.
| James McCully, Chair | Joel Guy, Vice Chair |
| Leah Belmonte | Mericia Palma Elmore |
| VACANT | |
| HTA Staff: Caroline Anderson and David Uchiyama | |
BRANDING STANDING COMMITTEE (Quorum: 3 members)
Adopted: Sept. 11, 2025; Updated: Oct. 10, 2025
This standing committee provides strategic review, evaluation, and recommendations on the Authority’s branding and marketing initiatives, programs, and/or activities that support the Authority’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives, with a particular focus on destination branding, meetings, conventions, and incentive (MCI) business.
| Kimberly Agas, Vice Chair | Danny Ojiri, Vice Chair |
| Troy Lazaro | Terry Fischer |
| Mericia Palma Elmore (added 10/30/25) | |
| HTA Staff: Jadie Goo | |
FILM TOURISM STANDING COMMITTEE (Quorum: 3 members)
Adopted: Sept. 11, 2025; Updated: Oct. 30, 2025; Updated Feb. 26,2026
This standing committee will guide and support initiatives that promote Hawai‘i as a film tourism destination through film, television, and integrated marketing, fostering economic development and ensuring authentic representation of the State.
| Mericia Palma Elmore, Chair | Linda Wong, Vice Chair |
| Danny Ojiri | VACANT |
| Troy Lazaro (added 10/30/25) | |
| HTA Staff: Jadie Goo | |
HO’OKAHUA HAWAII STANDING COMMITTEE (Quorum: 3 members)
Adopted: Sept. 11, 2025
This committee provides strategic guidance on destination stewardship, the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture, the development and enhancement of visitor experiences, workforce development, and the creation and implementation of the HTA Strategic Plan, Destination Management Action Plans (DMAPs), and the state Tourism Functional Plan. The committee will consider community priorities and visitor industry needs and assess the social and economic impacts of tourism.
| VACANT | Terry Fischer, Vice Chair |
| Leah Belmonte | Joel Guy |
| Troy Lazaro | |
| HTA Staff: Caroline Anderson | |
SPORTS TOURISM STANDING COMMITTEE (Quorum: 3 members)
Adopted: Sept. 11, 2025
This standing committee will advance Hawai‘i’s position as a premier destination for sports-related travel and events. The committee provides strategic guidance on initiatives that leverage sports tourism to drive economic impact, enhance the destination’s brand, support local, national, and international partnerships, and strengthen community well-being.
| Chris West, Chair | Lanai Tabura, Vice Chair |
| Kimberly Agas | Terry Fischer |
| Linda Wong | |
| HTA Staff: Milton Lafitaga | |
Permitted Interaction Groups (PIG)
CEO Search Permitted Interaction Group (PIG)
Adopted: Sept. 11, 2025; Updated: Oct. 30, 2025
The purpose of the CEO Search PIG is to recruit, hire, and establish contract terms for the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) President & CEO.
| James McCully, Chair | Joel Guy, Vice Chair |
| Kimberly Agas (added 10/30/25) | Leah Belmonte |
| Mericia Palma Elmore | |
| HTA Staff: Caroline Anderson and David Uchiyama | |
Governance Study Permitted Interaction Group (PIG)
Adopted: March 12, 2026; Updated: March 25, 2026
The purpose of the Governance Study PIG is to review and make recommendations to the Advisory Board on the Governance Study Final Recommendations.
| Mericia Palma Elmore | Terry Fischer |
| Joel Guy | Troy Lazaro |
| Danny Ojiri | Linda Wong |
| HTA Staff: TBD | |
Strategic Plan Permitted Interaction Group (PIG) – COMPLETED
Adopted: January 22, 2026
The purpose of the Strategic Plan PIG is to discuss and review proposed strategies and tactics and provide recommendations for the HTA’s 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.
| Terry Fischer, Chair | Danny Ojiri, Vice Chair |
| Kimberly Agas | Joel Guy |
| Mericia Palma Elmore | Linda Wong |
| HTA Staff: Caroline Anderson and Kendrick Leong | |