Hawaii Legislature Targets Deceptive Advertising in Live Events and Hotels
The Hawaii Legislature is considering a new measure aimed at curbing deceptive advertising practices by companies involved in live events and hotel lodging. This initiative addresses the issue where consumers find the total cost at checkout significantly higher than the advertised price due to additional fees. Mana Moriarty, Executive Director of the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, explained that the measure seeks to align state law with a 2025 Federal Trade Commission rule. This alignment is crucial as it enables the state to enforce actions against companies that mislead consumers. The measure has already passed out of the committee stage and is set to be reviewed by the full House. An amendment by the American Hotel and Lodging Association was accepted, which exempts short-term lodgings from the state law if they comply with federal regulations. 
