Did you find hospitality or did the hospitality industry find you?

The hospitality industry definitely found me, a few times. First, in early adulthood, as a commercial actor and model, I was fortunate to work with many different types of companies and venues. There was a noticeable difference experienced when I worked with hotels, yachts, restaurants and that caliber of class, generosity and respect really stuck with me.

After college, I often coordinated, choreographed, and marketed events which led to some work in the wedding scene upon moving back to Maui. Finally, I was contracted as marketing and public relations to Maui Hotel & Lodging in 2022. I then took the first Communications Director position at MHLA in 2023, before accepting this current role in 2024.

What do you think is the importance of the hospitality industry and how do you feel you fit in?

This industry represents a core of high values that we all crave; it’s a safe place, a home-away-from-home base, a free feeling with warmth, trust, nutrients, and comfort. Most of all, hospitality creates places where people want to be. All parts of this industry pride themselves in the savory, new, beautiful experiences they create for others. All feel purpose in being able to share themselves and the sense-of-place story to those who seek it.

This exchange of experience is meaningful and uplifting for both sides. I guess I’ve always been a storyteller in one way or another, and this sensory exchange we offer the world is indeed a story I feel a part of. Being in the advocacy side of the industry, most of what we are doing behind the scenes is communicating how impactful hospitality is for Hawai‘i and how many depend on this industry to keep their story alive here.

Are there any aspects that excite you the most about the hospitality industry and invigorate your team?

I get excited when I walk in somewhere and see staff smiling, looking engaged in their work scene, when entertainment is booked, and the venues/parking nearly filled. All that signals a thriving industry, finances abundant for the workforce, healthy living, pride in their day—and that’s what I want to see for Maui and Hawai‘i. When people have economic security, they can relax a little, have fun, and are kinder. That kind of energy brings life into the community; that community high is invigorating.

What do you feel are the most serious challenges facing the hospitality industry and how might they be resolved? What is the industry doing well?

We used to be the number one place to visit in the world. With the growing market of other remote tropical island locations, the strong dollar discouraging some of our international visitors to return, the long economic recovery from both Covid-19 and still impacting us, along with the Maui wildfires of 2023, the competition is stronger than before.

As nearly 80 percent of Maui County’s income has historically been directly or indirectly from the visitor and hospitality industry, we more than ever need to revamp our market game—everyone from the waterman to the corporate offices—and attract, welcome, and retain the high-level visitors who invest in us as a society.

Many people not as familiar with the industry believe this industry takes money or power away from Hawai‘i’s own. However, if one looked at local farmers, distilleries, carpenters, builders, repair personnel, techs, engineers, surf instructors, boat charters, fishing industry members, halaus, native practitioners, artists, bartenders, janitors, drivers, golf attendants, jewelry makers, bikini designers, on-call nannies, pilots, etc. All are supported, if not solely supported, by this industry. One would not discourage visitors from returning. All in all, this industry will always show class even when wrongfully attacked or underappreciated.

What do you envision will take place in the hospitality industry in the years ahead and how might the local industry adapt or change?

While the talk of diversification has been at the forefront, tourism and hospitality will continue to stay the primary source of economy for Hawai‘i. However, to expand the use of hospitality in other sectors is greatly needed and currently in movement.

Ag-tourism, where agriculture practices and teachings can be experienced as a tour, story, lesson, immersion, performance, and tasting are already trending. Sports tourism is another trending strategy. On Maui, we had the first Epic Swim, an all around the island swim, with 14 professional swimmers from across the globe last summer.

Film production, I believe, has a larger part to play as visitors flock to where a movie was filmed or where a scene was shot, and industry celebrities can attract much more for Hawai‘i if we collaborate more.

I believe the scientific studies and advancements/projects already in Hawai‘i could become a strong draw for focus groups/niche markets. The timeshare industry has also made changes to the way it conducts business, which has allowed stronger room occupancy numbers and growth. I believe more “club” traveling like some of our timeshare properties may see more growth as well.