"My favorite place in Hawaiʻi is a walk around my neighborhood, where before and after work the loudest sound is often the birds and the wind blowing through trees."
"Kahului, Maui, holds a special place in my heart. The time spent there with my cousins, uncles, aunties and grandmother has created long lasting memories. Remembering the relaxing days picnicking at the beach to indulging in Dilly Bars from Dairy Queen, Guri Guri from Tasaka Shop, and Manju from Home Maid Bakery, still brings a smile to my face!"
"Some of my favorite places are the forest trails outside the populated areas of Honolulu. I'm always amazed such nature exists mere minutes away from the hustle and bustle."
"The most fulfilling aspect of my kuleana at HVCB is sharing why I'm proud to call Hawaiʻi home and inspiring visitors to feel the same sense of what makes Hawaiʻi so special."
Sa Taʻala
Executive Assistant to T. Mullen - Board Corporate Secretary
"My most cherished memories include witnessing an eruption of Pele at Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, snorkeling with Manta Rays in Kona on Island of Hawaiʻi, a helicopter landing at Manawaiopuna Falls on Kauaʻi, and every time I see a rainbow!"
Maile Brown
Director of Marketing, Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau
"My two favorite places are on Kauaʻi – Kalāheo because it is where my home and heart is and Kōkeʻe – the beauty and serenity…being there realigns and revitalizes me."
Lani Kaui
Sales Coordinator, Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau
"I truly enjoy sharing with and educating our clients – consumers, media or travel trade – how special the Hawaiian Islands, the people and cultures here are. But engaging them to enjoy this place intimately while being mindful, respectful and protective of our Islands."
Karishma Chowfin
Director of Sales, Oʻahu Visitors Bureau
"To know better is to do better. I have always felt an incredible sense of responsibility to do right by this destination, for my home, for my nieces, nephews, friends and family who call this place home as well. Sharing how to be pono, act pono, inspires and motivates me about my kuleana at HVCB & OVB."
Catherine Orlans
Oʻahu Destination Manager, Oʻahu Visitors Bureau
"Ultimately, my role as a Destination Manager involves not only promoting Oʻahu as a desirable destination but doing so in a way that respects, protects, and enhances the unique character of our community."
Kalaʻi Pomroy
Marketing & Sales Manager, Oʻahu Visitors Bureau
"My favorite place in Hawaiʻi is on the island of Maui. Haleakalā for the sunrise or sunset and also the stunning and diverse landscape views of Kula. Such a peaceful and tranquil feeling when visiting upcountry Maui and taking in farmers markets."
Leanne Pletcher
Director of Public Relations & Marketing, Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau
"I would have never imagined the deep sense of purpose I've experienced through so many different chapters. It's been a true privilege to be able to interact with media, co-workers and the community through these experiences."
June Pagdilao
Director of Sales, Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau
"Puʻupehe on the island of Lānaʻi is my most favorite place in Hawaiʻi. I was overcome with emotion the first time that I went there. I also love that you can see koaʻe kea flying overhead, which is one of my favorite birds here :) "
"ʻĪao Valley holds a special place in my heart. It's where my husband grew up and where we were married. It was always the place where our families would get together. Grandparents got to see the grandkids and special memories were made."
Scott Pauli
Executive Director, Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau
"I love being able to promote regenerative tourism on the Island of Hawaiʻi in a respectful way, and to be able to be a part of the solutions to the problems that our residents are faced with that will allow us to preserve our ʻāina."
Deanna Isbister
Director of Sales, Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau
"I cherish the relationships that I have developed with our island partners to help them be successful in business yet mindful of overall visitor messaging and meeting visitors that are excited and appreciative of being able to visit the Hawaiian Islands."
Donna Kimura
Director, Marketing, Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau
"Hawaiʻi never ceases to amaze me. Majestic mountains, the deep blue waters, the lovely flowers, fauna and forests and the people, the beautiful and colorful people of the islands."
Kalei Bridges
Sales Manager, Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau
"I feel a deep responsibility in the work that I do as I provide insight, knowledge and consultation to our community who in turn use this insight to make informed decisions."
"North Kohala on Hawaiʻi island is my favorite place where I lived as a child and holds great childhood memories for me. It is a place that is enriched with a profound history of Hawaiʻi and is most known as the birthplace of Kamehameha the Great. I always look forward to visiting ʻohana who live there."
"I’m here because I want to be vested in doing the kind of elevated work that this organization uniquely undertakes – and at a top performing caliber that benchmarks our performance at a national level."
"My kuleana at HVCB is to invite the kind of visitors to Hawaiʻi that I would enjoy having in my home. I’m inspired to do this every day as it not only makes a difference to the entire state, but personally to my family and community."
Darlene Morikawa
Senior Director, Corporate Public Relations, and Destination Management
"I feel the best part of my job is hearing people's stories and how they speak about what they do, the community they live in, their experiences, and their passion. I appreciate and understand that I'm privileged to hear their stories and I, in turn, have the privilege of sharing it."
Lei-Ann Field
Senior Director, Visitor Public Relations, and Communications
"It is a privilege to share the incredible stories of Hawaiʻi's people, place and culture with media on the continent. It is a kuleana that I do not take lightly as it is critical in educating our visitors about the importance, and benefits, of traveling mindfully."
"My favorite place is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It has a deep and spiritual presence that makes me feel both alive and at peace whenever I visit."
"My most cherished memory is going to Waikīkī Beach with my grandparents. During the summers, they would take all of us grandkids to Waikīkī Beach where we would swim, play in the sand, and picnic while watching the sunset."
"My favorite place in Hawaiʻi is Heʻeia. I love the landscape that this ahupuaʻa provides with many resources, both culturally significant and modern. Plus, you can't help but love waking up to the view of the beautiful Koʻolau mountain range every morning."
"My favorite place in Hawaiʻi is in the water off Waikīkī – sailing on a catamaran with the wind filling the sails and the sun shining and turning the ocean a beautiful turquoise blue. The smell of the salty air, the sea spray on my face, it fills my soul and makes me feel alive!"
"A cherished memory is participating in my first Hiʻuwai. I was able to experience this cultural tradition on the beach in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The tradition focuses on self-reflection and thinking of the people that came before us."
Meredith Parkins
Regional Director of Sales, Eastern Region
"Haleʻiwa Beach is one of my favorite places. Restorative, peaceful, clear blue waters. Memories of beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Fishing, searching for sand crabs and sand turtles, and picking limu back in the day."
"I love working behind the scenes to bring people from diverse backgrounds to Hawaiʻi for education, networking, inspiration, and leisure. Contributing to the personal and professional growth of meeting attendees fills me with pride, while also making a positive impact on our economy and tourism industry."
"My favorite place in Hawaiʻi is the Makapuʻu lighthouse. You can enjoy the trail walk in the morning and watch the sun rise from the water beginning a brand new day. Nothing more 'chicken skin' than that."
"North Kohala on the Island of Hawai‘i is my favorite place because its my home, where I was born and raised. It's always so nice to go home to unwind and spend time with family and friends I've known since before starting school."
"My favorite place on Oʻahu is Kaimana Beach, where I begin and end most days. After a quiet walk around Kapiʻolani Park and a visit to the Queen’s statue, which reminds me daily to Kulia I ka nu'u, I sit in the still of the morning to set my intentions for the day. In the evening, I often reflect in awe at the breathtaking sunsets that spark daily gratitude for the beauty of our island and this place we are blessed to call home."
Bill Kennedy
Senior Manager, Membership Services and Operations
"In my 25 years at HVCB, I've seen how important the relationships with our members can be. I enjoy getting to know a company and helping them take advantage of the benefits they receive to help them achieve their goals."
Armida York
Manager, Membership Development and Engagement
"My love affair with Hawaiʻi began on a trip to Maui in 2008. The warmth of the people, the richness of the culture, and the beauty of the island captivated me. Two years later, I had the incredible opportunity to relocate to Oʻahu. "
Eric Mok
Manager, Membership Communications and Events
"What I love most about my kuleana at HVCB is being able to create connections and enrich partnerships with our members through our events and newsletters."
Travel Trade
Robyn Basso
Senior Director, Travel Industry Partnerships
"What most inspires me about my kuleana at HVCB is that I have the incredible opportunity to work alongside some of the most dedicated people in the tourism industry and together, and in different ways, we get to share what makes Hawaiʻi so special and communicate the importance of mālama."
Vanessa Johnson
Director of Travel Industry Partnerships
