Though most people choose the career that they are in, that is not the case for Roberts Hawaii’s humble General Manager, Margo Mau Bunnell.

She feels she was probably born into the position since her father, Robert Mau, worked for Roberts Hawaii for forty-five years before he retired, and her mother, Keiko Mau Manapat, also worked in hospitality at Duty Free

“I got to go on tours with my Dad and all the drivers were my uncles, you know?” said Bunnell. “The owner, Robert Jr., was so nice to me and I grew up with his kids. I never even knew he was the boss.”

Bunnell was positive she did not want to get into the hospitality industry. She recalls that her parents seemed to work 12 hours a day, 365 days a year. Even on Christmas, Bunnell’s family would wake up at 3:00am to open presents before her parents had to leave for a day’s work.

“I thought, oh my God, this is a crazy industry.”

When it came time for Bunnell to attend college, she attended the University of San Diego and earned a degree in Communications, Political Science, and Religion. Her plan was to become an international liaison for the United States, but her plan did not go as she predicted. Upon graduation, she found herself working for the Sheraton Grand Torrey Pines, now known as the Sheraton La Jolla Hotel, as their Front Desk Supervisor for a year and a half.

Bunnell’s unexpected love for hospitality began to grow. She found herself among the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and the Barbie team at Hasbro.

“I was like, wait I think I like this. I get to meet and interact with new people every day, “said Bunnell. “I think this is my calling.”

It was during this work experience that Bunnell’s mother thought that she may be ill, so Bunnell decided to come back home to Hawaii and search for another job in order to be closer to her mother.
It just so happened that Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel at Mauna Kea was just being built, and she was soon recruited as their Japanese Guest Services Supervisor and Front Desk Supervisor. The hotel was so new that everyone wanted to experience it, including Mr. Tsuji, owner of Sanrio, Prime Minister Hashimoto of Japan, and even comedian/actor Eddie Murphy.

After working at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel at Mauna Kea, Bunnell’s career took her to multiple companies. First, the Hilton Waikoloa Village as their Director of Far East Sales and Services, then the Big Island Visitors Bureau as their Director of International Sales and Marketing, before signing on with the Waikoloa Beach Resort for eleven years where she served as their Marketing, Sales, and Operations Manager.

Now a days when Bunnell is not at the beach, her son’s volleyball games, or at the farmer’s market, she is serving as Roberts Hawaii’s General Manager. Bunnell oversees all employees and management while using her knowledge to teach and control the marketing and sales for Hawaii Island. Bunnell’s sixteen-year-old son, Nathan, recognizes how her character and talent are perfect for the position that she is in.

“She is very respectful to the culture and community we live in,” stated Nathan. “She is an innovative thinker and likes to coach her other team members to be proactive.”

Despite her loyalty to the industry, Bunnell recognizes that her position may not be around forever.
“I have an occupation that is dying. Everything is now electronic and people are listening to tours on their phone or an app and that human connection is gone, “stated Bunnell, “I’m worried the industry is going to die out. But I want to make sure it’s still here.”

However, the human side of Bunnell’s job is still paramount. After his forty-five years of work with Roberts Hawaii, Bunnell recalls her father stating that guests from all over the world are going to remember most what a Hawaii local taught them about their home. This type of connection is not something you can gain from an app on your phone.

This change in the tourism industry is not the only change Bunnell has noticed. While hospitality used to be a predominantly male dominated field, she points out the number of female drivers and managers within Roberts Hawaii.

“I think it just adds such a bigger dynamic because women like to try new things and are so driven,” said Bunnell.

She likes that women can still be “feminine” while driving a huge tour bus, amidst ideas that it is a masculine job. Bunnell inspires to some day write an article titled, The Wonder Women of the Transportation Industry, paired with a photo of women bus drivers jumping in the air wearing whatever it is they like; dresses, or pants.

With all her exceptional experience behind her, Bunnell reflects on what she wants to leave behind.

“Am I going to be known for a resort name or a website I made?” stated Bunnell.

“I want to be known for teaching people and coaching them to be good managers. I want to help build people up and then learn from them.”