Military calls up
tourism leader

Robert Fishman's call to active
duty comes in uncertain times
for the tourism industry

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

The chief executive officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority has been called to active duty in the Army Reserve and will leave the isles within two weeks.

Robert J. Fishman, 54, said last night he is expected to be gone for three months, but plans to support the tourism agency while on assignment.

His departure comes as the tourism industry and the state is grappling with an unprecedented drop in visitor arrivals after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"This is a critical period for the Hawaii Tourism Authority. We are going to be supporting each other," said Fishman.

Board members are expected to meet Wednesday to discuss Fishman's future with the HTA.

Fishman, whose contract with the HTA expires in March, said, "I want to give the Hawaii Tourism Authority the maximum amount of flexibility."

With the instability of Hawaii's tourism industry, Fishman said, "It wouldn't be fair to cut the options made available to them."

He has been with the agency since April 1999.

On Nov. 5, he will report to the U.S. Office of the Chief of the U.S. Army Reserve at the Pentagon. Fishman received a call Wednesday from Washington D.C. confirming that he was placed on active duty. He said he had not received any specific information of his assignment, but expects it will involve homeland defense.

"We're ready to go and stand alongside our country. I'm very proud to do it," said Fishman, a colonel in the Army Reserve.

Currently, Fishman is the deputy commander of the 9th Regional Support Command. He has served in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Hawaii National Guard for 31 years.

Fishman said he plans to offer his services to the HTA while on assignment. Though Fishman is expected to be on active duty for three months, "it may go longer," he said.

He said he has informed Gov. Ben Cayetano and HTA board Chairman Roy Tokujo of his assignment.

HTA board members Keith Vieira and David P. Carey supported Fishman's call to service.

"Of course the country comes first. The bad news is we have to figure out how to manage Hawaii's tourism in the meantime," said Carey, president and CEO of Outrigger Hotels & Resorts. "He's been the principal public communicator of Hawaii's tourism with the state Legislature.

"It will have an impact," he said of Fishman's absence. "There's no question about it."

Vieira said: "I think Bob has provided a very good oversight of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to the board and the Legislature.

"I think we'll be OK. We're prepared to deal with it," said Vieira, vice president and director of Hawaii operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.

"It's an honor to be called to serve," Vieira added.

From 1994 to 1998, Fishman was the managing director for the city. He was the deputy general manager of Aloha Stadium in the mid-1970s and returned as general manager in 1993-1994.

FISHMAN FACTS Highlights of Robert J. Fishman's career: MILITARY >> U.S. Army Reserve: 1983-present >> Hawaii Army National Guard: 1973-1983 (commissioned service), 1971-1973 (enlisted service) GOVERNMENT >> Chief executive officer for the Hawaii Tourism Authority: April 1999-present >> Managing director of City & County of Honolulu: 1994-1998 >> General manager, Aloha Stadium: 1993-1994; deputy general manager, 1974-1980 >> Director of communications for Gov. John Waihee: 1992-1993 >> Chief of Staff to Gov. George Ariyoshi: 1980 PRIVATE SECTOR >> Vice president of Airport Services for Hawaiian Airlines Inc.: 1998-1999