What do you keep in mind for your project?

I make an effort to actively publicize the event to communities that I don't usually interact with in my daily work. This includes distributing flyers to local running communities, posting posters at running shops, and publicizing at local schools and supermarkets. Also, by reaching out to various departments within the company and requesting their cooperation from an early stage, a sense of unity across departmental boundaries is fostered. In Hawaii, remote work has become common since the pandemic, with many staff working from home. I hope that staff who usually work in different departments and locations can hold meetings to prepare and work together towards the success of the event, which will lead to increased communication and solidarity, and ultimately improve employee engagement.

Do you have any events under consideration to promote "Malama Hawaiʻi" in the future?

For the 10th event this year, all participation fees will be donated to the Waikiki Aquarium, which is dedicated to marine conservation in Hawaii. This is also HIS's message of "Malama Hawaiʻi" to participants. Moving forward, we aim to collaborate with the Waikiki Aquarium to develop new tourism models that connect sustainable travel experiences, education, and marine conservation. In the near future, for a large group booking in August, we will offer a behind-the-scenes tour of the Waikiki Aquarium as original content. During the Honolulu Marathon period in December, we plan to create and sell a beach cleanup and barbecue program in collaboration with the Waikiki Aquarium.

HIS Hawaii Corporation, embracing the spirit of "Malama Hawaiʻi" (the Hawaiian concept of "caring for Hawaii"), resonates with the expansion of regenerative tourism awareness. We have previously proposed sustainable tourism plans, such as the "Genki Ala Wai Project" to purify the Ala Wai Canal and beach cleanups. With this year's charity run as an opportunity, we aim to propose "Malama Hawaiʻi" programs in partnership with the Waikiki Aquarium to Japanese tourists. Furthermore, beyond the Waikiki Aquarium, the LeaLea Lounge currently features a "Mālama Station," offering opportunities to learn about history and culture, and providing environmentally friendly sunscreen. We want to encourage Japanese tourists to experience Hawaii from various angles, fostering interactions with the community and cultural experiences, thereby nurturing a spirit of cherishing Hawaii's nature.

What are your goals for future "LeaLea Charity Run" events?

We hope to make it an annual event for HIS Hawaii Corporation, just like before the pandemic. We aim to attract more local participants and propose it to Japanese group tour customers as part of team building. We are also considering creating an environment where individual customers can apply after arriving in Hawaii. As a running event, we also held the "Honolulu Ekiden & MUSIC," a new kind of resort event where people could enjoy both sports and music, until 2018. Originally, we planned to hold the Charity Run and the Honolulu Ekiden as two annual events, but the Honolulu Ekiden was also forced to go on hiatus due to the pandemic. This year, only the "LeaLea Charity Run" will be held, but we plan to revive the "Honolulu Ekiden & MUSIC" in the future. Through both events, we aim to further build relationships with the local community, attract not only repeat visitors to Hawaii but also more new customers, and connect the spirit of "Malama Hawaiʻi."

*Malama Hawaiʻi: This Hawaiian phrase means "the heart of caring for Hawaiʻi." HIS has signed a memorandum of understanding for partnership cooperation with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Japan office to promote "Malama Hawaiʻi" in order to foster "regenerative tourism," which aims to protect the natural environment, traditions, and culture, and to create a sustainable society together with local communities and tourists.

*The "a" in "Ma" of "Malama Hawaiʻi" has a macron.