The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau is seeking approval from the state to be a major sponsor of Disney's "Lilo & Stitch," an animated movie set on Kauai. Visitors bureau wants OK
to sponsor ‘Lilo & Stitch’Star-Bulletin staff
The bureau plans to propose a marketing contract to the staff of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, which will make a recommendation to the agency's board, said Richard Humphreys, executive director of the HTA. Further details of the promotion were not available.
The HVCB's slogan currently appears on the "Lilo & Stitch" trailer on Disney's official Web site. The film opens June 21, with a premiere in Hollywood set for June 16 and a special screening at the Waikiki Twins June 18.
The Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus will perform at the premiere, to be held at the historic El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.
The HTA board may have to schedule a special meeting to review the marketing proposal, since the board's next regular meeting does not occur until June 26.
Tony Vericella, HVCB president and chief executive, could not be reached for comment last night.
Humphreys made the brief announcement yesterday at the HTA's regular board meeting, after the board closed the meeting to the public for an hour-long executive session.
Also at the meeting, consultant Frank Haas outlined a pending evaluation of the performance of the HVCB, which has been marketing the state on a $45 million-a-year contract with the HTA.
The HVCB needs to be more clear about how it plans to promote Hawaii, and how it spends money, Haas said. The HVCB should produce a budget that specifically identifies spending on major areas, such as events and public relations, he said.