HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Hawaii tourism industry leaders like where visitor numbers are trending, but they're still pushing for better numbers. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news According to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, there were 819,000 visitors to the islands last month, which is up 6% compared to the same time last year. Hawaii's top industry leaders, partners and vendors are meeting for the next few days to keep the momentum going for the state's top business -- tourism. ‘Very heroic’ Kauai officers recognized for dramatic cliffside rescue "Our work is clear," said Ilihia Gionson, Hawaii Tourism Authority's public affairs officer. "We need to keep working, we need to keep pushing, we need to keep making it clear -- that responsible, respectable travel to Hawaii is not only welcome at this time, it's needed at this time." The latest stats show visitors are coming back to the islands, but numbers are still down from pre-COVID, especially from Japanese visitors. State officials attribute that to three major storm systems recently, as well as the weak Japanese yen. "They faced some challenges in coming back, but we know from our research that folks in Japan do want to come back," said Gionson. "We are aware that we're hitting a little bit of a slump, so that's why we've been out marketing," said Sue Kanoho, Kauai Visitors Bureau executive director. "I leave for Canada in a couple of days, so we're out blitzing as best we can. Just got back from Japan and then we've been doing some PR stuff, got a press trip coming up next week." Since last year's Lahaina wildfire, HTA has been pushing the message that the state is open with "saturation campaigns," focusing on areas where visitors come from. Tourism industry leaders are encouraged by the latest visitor statistics, but they wanted to make a couple of points. One, it's unfair to look at numbers pre-COVID because they said the world was a different place then, and two, what's good for one person or one island, is good for all of us. "I think people just want to hear it's okay to come and really be safe and it's not gonna be offensive," said Kanoho. "And really, Maui does need your help and really having all islands be successful lifts the state." Get Hawaii's latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You "Really at this point when people come, they need to have an amazing experience," said Josh Hargrove Westin Maui Resort and Spa general manager. "They need to come and eat in our local restaurants and meet local people, at the end of the day, that's what they want. They want to come and experience our aloha spirit."