Jaunted

Hawaii Travel

Hawaii Tourism Chief Could Be Canned over Racy Emails

August 13, 2008 at 10:30 AM | 0 Comments

Note to tourism board directors: Don't use your work computer to send out porn to your buddies! The future of Hawaii Tourism Authority CEO, Rex Johnson, is in jeopardy after he admitted to sending at least one racy email to friends. But after a lengthy closed-door meeting yesterday, the authority board still hasn't made a decision on whether to fire Johnson, who's been working in the industry for more than two decades.

Yesterday, the board heard more than 60 pieces of testimony in favor of the work Johnson has done, including positive comments from tour operators, airline employees and community leaders. But a senior vice president at Starwood Hotels says people are speaking out not because they like Johnson but because they want to catch the attention of his buddies at the Hawaii State Legislature:

Please know that this [pro-Johnson] view is not the majority of the industry but there is a reluctance to speak out due to the legislative support he has gotten.

The board of the authority hopes to reach a decision on Johnson's future "within days."

Related Stories:
· Board Still Deciding on Hawaii's Tourism Chief [Advertiser]
· HTA Deliberates over CEO's Fate [Star-Bulletin]
· Tourism Board Adjourns with No Decision [Biz Journals]
· Hawaii Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: skyseeker]