How do you give back to your community?

We are thrilled to partner in every way possible to many organizations in need in the State of Hawai‘i. This comes from direct giving, in-kind, volunteer work, and Mission Work. We have assisted hundreds of organizations over the past year including, American Heart Association, March of Dimes, Hawaii Opera, Hawaii Theatre, Diamond Head Theatre, Hawaii Lung Association, and the Hawaii Legacy Foundation supporting our LGBQ+ community and many, many more. 

What does giving back mean to you?

It is not about what you give but the ability to contribute to the success of our broader population. We must help to support the organizations that are making a difference in the lives of the people who call Hawai‘i home and our ‘ohana. Every person needs to be involved at some level as we all live in these islands and philanthropy is extremely important to ensure a vibrant and successful Hawai‘i.

What has been the biggest reward?

The biggest reward has most certainly been the lives that I have been able to impact through career growth. It is important to continue to elevate my team to be the best they can be and in return give them the opportunity to grow their lives and families in a way that is special for them, both from an experience and monetary standpoint. Putting People First has always been my first priority and I have built a loyal tribe of leaders, as well as leaders that have moved on to other roles. My hope is these leaders have learned one person does not make an army, but it is the whole of all that wins the day.

What failure taught you the biggest lesson?

I think failure is the best lesson for everyone as it is where you learn the most. I have failed many times in my life from being a young entrepreneur who owned and operated five restaurants and lost everything. I have learned you must take risks, that moving performance must come from the creation of new ideas, new ways of thinking and pushing the boundaries farther than others. It’s in those moments where you find your greatest successes, but you can only get there if you have tried and failed and learned from each failure.

What do you love most about your job?

I love everything about my job, it allows me the opportunity to impact lives in our community in very positive ways from our partnerships with many local non-profits, to impacting our environment and setting the tone for Hawai‘i hospitality in general.