American Bus Association (ABA) Deepens Commitment To Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts

ABA Board Chair Terry Fischer is shown opening the Ho‘ōla Nā Pua Annual Dinner in Hawai‘i. (Photo by Kathryn Fischer)

The American Bus Association (ABA) reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking through participation in the Ho‘ōla Nā Pua Annual Dinner in Hawai‘i.

ABA President & CEO Fred Ferguson, ABA Board Chair Terry Fischer, who is also President of Polynesian Adventure Tours, and Kathryn Fischer, Transportation Charter Services’ Vice President of Sales attended the event as part of the Association’s growing national initiative to address trafficking across the transportation and hospitality sectors.

Polynesian Adventure Tours served as the co-title sponsor, hosting ABA leadership and group travel partners in support of Ho‘ōla Nā Pua’s mission to restore the lives of children who have been sexually exploited.

“This engagement builds on the Association’s growing leadership in the fight against human trafficking,” according to a press release. “In 2024, ABA was honored with the Truckers Against Trafficking Champion Award, recognizing its dedication to raising awareness and promoting training within the motorcoach and group travel sectors. The recognition underscored the industry’s critical role in identifying and preventing trafficking on America’s roadways.

“Now with the formal approval of expanded ABA and ABA Foundation initiatives, the Association is deepening its investment in education, outreach, and prevention — ensuring that drivers, dispatchers, and travel professionals have the knowledge and tools to spot, intervene, and end trafficking.”

“Being with Ho‘ōla Nā Pua and learning about Pearl Haven was an eye-opening experience that reaffirmed our association’s resolve to be part of the solution,” Ferguson said. “The bus and tour industries connect people and communities every day — and that connection gives us a powerful platform to identify, educate, and act. We are committed to using our reach to help stop human trafficking and ensure that every journey is safe, dignified, and free from harm.”

Terry Fischer added: “This partnership underscores what our industry stands for — safety, compassion, and community. Supporting Ho‘ōla Nā Pua is not just philanthropy; it’s a moral responsibility to protect the most vulnerable. I’m proud to leverage my national position as ABA Board Chair to bring greater awareness and resources to Hawai‘i and our local communities, ensuring that our state continues to lead by example in this fight. Our hope is that the lessons we learn here in Hawai‘i can ripple through the entire group travel sector nationwide.”

ABA plans to integrate anti-trafficking education and prevention training into upcoming events, webinars, and council programming, ensuring that bus operators, tour companies, and travel professionals have the knowledge and tools to identify and report trafficking behaviors.