Privacy Policy

HTA knows that you value your privacy. That's why we want to make certain that you understand our policies and practices regarding your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, what we do with it, what we don't do with it, and how we keep it safe. By visiting the Hawaiʻi Media Site, you are accepting the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

I. Who Does This Privacy Policy Apply To?
This Privacy Policy applies to: (1) the conduct of HTA as it relates to the Hawaiʻi Media Site; and (2) those independent contractors who operate portions of the Hawaiʻi Media Site on HTA's behalf, as their conduct relates to the Hawaiʻi Media Site. The terms “Website” and “Hawaiʻi Media Site” are defined in the Terms and Conditions of Use and have the same meaning in this Privacy Policy. 

This Privacy Policy does not apply to the practices of companies that HTA does not own or control, or to people that HTA does not employ or manage. Third party websites that you connect to through the Hawaiʻi Media Site are not under HTA's control and are subject to their own privacy policies rather than this Privacy Policy. For more information about linking to third party websites through the Hawaiʻi Media Site, please see the Terms and Conditions of Use.

The terms "HTA," "us," "our," "we," and any variation thereof refer to the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and may include any independent contractors who operate portion of the Hawaiʻi Media Site on HTA's behalf.

II. What Information Does HVCB Collect?
In order to serve you better, it is necessary for HTA to collect certain information. The type of information that HTA collects depends on what you do when you visit this Website.

A. Information That You Provide to Us
In order for you to use certain features of the Hawaiʻi Media Site, such as the Visiting Journalist Questionnaire or the Hawaiʻi B-roll Order Form, you will need to provide us with some personal information about yourself. The information that we collect may include: (1) your name; (2) your postal address; (3) your telephone number; and (4) your e-mail address.  Depending on the feature of the Hawaiʻi Media Site that you are using, we might also collect the following information: (1) the name of the publication, website, blog, or program you are with; (2) information about the publication, website, blog, or program you are with; (3) anticipated travel dates; (4) the organization for which you are requesting b-roll; (5) information about the organization you are with; and (6) how you and your organization intend to use the b-roll. 

B. Information That We Collect Automatically
We also collect certain types of information automatically whenever you access and use the Hawaiʻi Media Site. Some of this information is stored in cookies (see the next section for a discussion of cookies). Examples of the information we collect automatically include: (1) the Internet protocol (IP) address of the computer you are using; (2) the browser software you are using; (3) your operating system; (4) the date and time you access the Hawaiʻi Media Site; and (5) the Internet address of the website from which you linked directly to the Hawaiʻi Media Site.

C. Cookies
Cookies are pieces of information that we transfer to your computer's hard drive through your Web browser for record-keeping purposes. We use cookies to store some information that enables us to improve your experience at the Hawaiʻi Media Site in a number of ways. Cookies also help us to learn about how and when people use the Hawaiʻi Media Site so that we can determine which parts of the Hawaiʻi Media Site are popular and which need to be modified to be more useful. Although cookies do identify a website user's computer, cookies alone cannot personally identify a user.

Your Web browser only allows us to access the cookies we have already sent to your computer, not the cookies that other websites have sent. We do not and cannot use cookies to retrieve any information from your computer that we did not put there in the first place.

You can adjust your Web browser to refuse all new cookies, to notify you whenever you are about to receive a new cookie, or to disable cookies completely. Please note, however, that parts of the Hawaiʻi Media Site might not function properly if you do not allow cookies.

D. Action Tags
Action tags, which are also known as Web beacons or pixel tags, are small invisible images that are placed in certain areas of the Hawaiʻi Media Site. When an action tag is triggered by someone using the Hawaiʻi Media Site, that information is logged in an external vendor system and is linked to that user’s anonymous cookie ID. We use action tags to gather information about the Hawaiʻi Media Site and to improve the Hawaiʻi Media Site so that it can better meet your needs.

E. Collection of Personal Information from Children
HTA believes that it is extremely important to protect children's personal information. As such, HTA does not collect any personal information that can be identified with anyone under the age of 16. In fact, as discussed in our Terms and Conditions of Use, no one under the age of 16 is allowed to use any features of the Hawaiʻi Media Site that result in our actively collecting personal information.

III. What Does HVCB Do with the Information It Collects?
The primary reason why we collect information from you is to provide you with the services that you request. Services such as assisting visiting journalists and making b-roll available to the media would be impossible without the personal information that you provide to us through the Hawaiʻi Media Site. We also use the information we collect to make sure that the Hawaiʻi Media Site provides you with the resources you need and the level of quality you expect. For example, information about the sections of the Hawaiʻi Media Site that people visit most frequently and least frequently helps us to decide which features people find useful and which features need some changes.

In addition to our internal use of the information we collect, your personal information is shared with third parties when necessary to provide the services you are requesting.  When we are working with, or deciding whether to work with, a visiting journalist, we may disclose that visiting journalist’s name, e-mail address, cell phone number, and itinerary to third parties, such as hotels, who might be able to assist the visiting journalist.  All of the b-roll requests submitted through the Hawaiʻi Media Site are handled by our public relations company, which uses the information in the requests solely to process the requests and is not authorized to disclose the information to anyone else. 

If you ever decide that you do not want HTA to share any personally identifiable information about you with any third party, all you need to do is tell us. Just e-mail us at [email protected] or telephone us at 808.923.1811 and let us know about your preference. Please be advised, however, that your decision could prevent you from receiving visiting journalist assistance or being permitted to use b-roll.  In addition, we reserve the right to disclose any personal information about you without your prior consent if we have a good faith belief that such disclosure is necessary to: (1) conform to legal requirements or comply with valid legal process, such as a search warrant, subpoena, or court order; (2) protect our rights or property; (3) enforce the provisions of the Terms and Conditions of Use; or (4) prevent harm to you or others.

HVCB sometimes shares with third parties certain nonpersonal, summary information about the people who use the Hawaiʻi Media Site. This information is not personally identifiable in any way and consists of facts such as the average numbers of visitors to the Hawaiʻi Media Site per day and the most popular sections of the Hawaiʻi Media Site. Also, as discussed in more detail above, information resulting from action tags being triggered is logged in an external vendor system and is linked to that user’s anonymous cookie ID. None of this information is personally identifiable information.

IV. What Kind of Security Does HVCB Use to Protect Your Privacy?
We know that when you provide us with any type of information, you're trusting us to keep it safe from unauthorized intrusion. We take all reasonable steps, through the use of updated security software and protocols, to ensure that your personal information is safe.

V. What Do You Need to Do to Protect Your Personal Information?
You have several options when deciding how you can best protect your personal information. One option is simply not to volunteer any personal information. This approach would prevent you from taking advantage of certain of the Hawaiʻi Media Site's features.

Another option is to configure your Web browser to refuse all new cookies, to notify you whenever you are about to receive a new cookie, or to disable cookies completely. However parts of the Hawaiʻi Media Site might not function properly if you do not allow cookies.

The Federal Trade Commission's website also offers useful information about how to protect your personal information while on the Internet.

VI. How Can You Find Out What Personal Information Is on Record?
We believe that it's important for you to be able to find out what personal information you have provided to us through the Hawaiʻi Media Site. If you have completed a Visiting Journalist Questionnaire or a Hawaiʻi B-roll Order Form, you can contact us by telephone at 808.923.1811 and ask us what information we have on record about you that was collected through the Hawaiʻi Media Site. If you haven't completed a Visiting Journalist Questionnaire or a Hawaiʻi B-roll Order Form, then we don't have any personally identifiable information about you that was collected through the Hawaiʻi Media Site.

VII. How Can You Correct the Personal Information on Record with Us?
We know that you want the information we have on record about you to be as complete and accurate as possible. We feel the same way, since maintaining accurate information is essential to our efforts to give you the best possible experience when you visit the Hawaiʻi Media Site. That's why we encourage you to correct any information that might be outdated or otherwise invalid. It's easy to make changes. Simply contact us by telephone at 808.923.1811.

VIII. How Can You Get Additional Information About HTA's Privacy Policy?
For additional information about our Privacy Policy, please e-mail us your question or request at [email protected], by telephone at 808.923.1811, and by postal mail at 1801 Kalākaua Avenue, 1st Floor Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, USA 96815.

IX. What Can You Do About Violations of This Privacy Policy?
If at any time you believe HTA has not adhered to the principles set forth in this Privacy Policy, please notify us and we will make all commercially reasonable efforts to promptly correct the problem. We can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected], by telephone at 808.923.1811, and by postal mail at 1801 Kalākaua Avenue, 1st Floor Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, USA 96815.

X. Amendments to This Privacy Policy
From time to time, it may be necessary for HTA to amend this Privacy Policy. You are responsible for regularly reviewing this Privacy Policy so that you will be aware of any changes. However, if we make any substantial changes in the way we use your personal information, we will notify you by posting a prominent announcement on our website. Please note that your continued use of the Hawaiʻi Media Site means that you accept the amendments to this Privacy Policy.