Tourism, public safety experts to host annual safety conference on Oʻahu next month

Leaders in tourism, law enforcement, emergency management, and community organizations will address critical safety issues affecting Hawaiʻi’s visitors and workforce during an annual conference on Oʻahu next month.

The Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association, in partnership with the Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Hotel Visitor Industry Security Association, the Waikīkī Improvement Association, and the Waikīkī Business Improvement District, will host the 8th annual Visitor Public Safety Conference from 7 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at the Ala Moana Hotel.

The conference will feature engaging panels, expert discussions, and actionable strategies to enhance public safety across the islands.

The event will open with remarks from Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association; Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi; Prosecutor Steve Alm; and Rade Vanic, interim chief of the Honolulu Police Department.

The conference panels to follow will include:

Emergency Management

• Moderator: Rick Egged, president of Waikīkī Improvement Association;
• Panelists: Jennifer Walter, deputy director at Department of Emergency Management, Jerry Dolak, director of safety and security at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort and president of the Hawaiʻi Hotel Visitor Industry Security Association, John Vierra, community outreach lead at Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, and Thomas Foti, general manager at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Waikīkī Beach.

Safety Solutions via Technology

• Moderator: Trevor Abarzua, president and executive director of Waikīkī Business Improvement District;
• Panelist: Mike Lambert, director of law enforcement at Department of Law Enforcement.

Financial Crimes Against Visitors

• Moderator: Rick Hamada, host of The Rick Hamada Program News Radio 830 KHVH;
• Panelists: Detective Gregg Kawamoto, Financial Fraud Division of Honolulu Police Department, Jessica Lani Rich, president and CEO of Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaiʻi, Ken Sorenson, U.S. District Attorney, Lt. Daniel Jasco, Honolulu Police Department, and Lt. Ioane Keehu, Financial Crimes Division, Criminal Investigation Division of Honolulu Police Department.

The panels will share valuable insights into emerging safety trends, collaborative solutions, and innovative technology that enhance visitor protection across the islands.

For more details and to register for the Visitor Public Safety Conference, visit the Hawaiʻi Lodging and Tourism Association website.