HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – With confidence fading that Hawaii can save major sporting events just like the Sony Open or the Maui Invitational basketball match, state leaders are pivoting to lower-profile sporting events that would nonetheless entice guests.
The technique shift comes as Sony Open week begins at Waialae Country Club, with uncertainty hanging over whether or not this can be the match’s last yr in Hawaii.
Tournament administrators stay hopeful
Sony Open Hawaii match director Ray Stosik mentioned there are causes for optimism regardless of the challenges, particularly with a very robust subject of gamers this yr.
“There’s a number of reasons why Hawaii works for the PGA Tour,” Stosik mentioned.
However, state officers acknowledge the monetary pressures going through Hawaii’s sports tourism business.
“We have to pay more and more to attract these events and Las Vegas poached our basketball tournament. And really, are we going to win in us versus the U.S. mainland?” mentioned state Sen. Glenn Wakai.
Drought impacts and rising prices
Experts say the drought that doomed this year’s Sentry golf tournament in Kapalua might dry up the PGA’s curiosity in Hawaii tournaments, which compete with soccer playoffs and value vital cash to provide.
Major school basketball groups additionally want and anticipate extra money.
Gov. Josh Green is asking for $3 million extra for sports tourism in his price range.
“He understands sports and he understands that right now we’re in jeopardy of losing some of the specialty events that we’ve had,” mentioned James Tokioka, state director of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
New deal with numerous markets
Rather than spend tens of millions that major tournaments may demand, the thought is to unfold cash round with much less deal with major males’s sports and the U.S. tv market.
“I’m a big fan of taking it to Asia, to bring Asian rugby tournaments here, to bring even cricket here,” Wakai mentioned.
Youth volleyball {and professional} soccer are rising as focus areas.
Tokioka instructed senators he’s negotiating with the Seattle Reign to convey their preseason to Hawaii whereas the World Cup takes over stadiums in the Northwest.
“They’re putting in a proposal for a million dollars, and I told them that may be a little too rich for what we can do. So they’re working out a proposal,” Tokioka mentioned.
Questions over decision-making authority
Senators questioned who’s making and managing sports advertising and marketing coverage, whether or not it’s Tokioka, the governor, or consultants on the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
“They think they’re just window dressing now, because they’re not clear. Nothing is brought before them for their advice,” mentioned state Sen. Donna Kim.
Tokioka mentioned he coordinates with the governor on all choices.
“Every single decision or every single discussion that I have at HTA, I float to the governor. I don’t do it in a vacuum,” he mentioned.
Tokioka mentioned he not too long ago transferred $500,000 into sports tourism and is asking HTA’s recommendation on the place to spend it.
Because of the advertising and marketing worth of high-profile sporting events in winter, Tokioka mentioned the state isn’t giving up utterly.
Talks are underway in hopes of conserving a few of the present schedule alive, he mentioned.
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