Connecting With & Within the Hawaiʻi Island Visitor Industry

Monday, August 26, 2024

Virtually (Hosted at Kona Salt Farm)

This workshop focuses on helping businesses and organizations who either want to work in- or currently work in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry establish connections between to broader visitor industry throughout Hawaiʻi Island. The panel featured experts and success stories from within the industry and offers businesses and organizations who want to grow in the industry the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by those who have paved the road to a regenerative tourism model for Hawaiʻi.

This workshop was held virtually.

The topics covered in this workshop included:

  • Lifting up the collective view of the industry (maybe even more than the individual view)

  • The ʻohana centered ideals and values of the industry are important

  • Circular economy and buying from locally sourced companies

  • Just ask! Be tenacious! Reach out! If you want to work within the industry, ASK!

Speakers Profiles

Sandra Gibson

Owner, Kona Salt Farm by Sea Salts of Hawaiʻi

Sandra Gibson transitioned from her previous roles working from a private jet company and event firm, to the small business that is now Sea Salts of Hawai’i. Her inspiration for the business came from her time living on Kauaʻi, where she was gifted salt from the Hanapēpē Salt Ponds and wanted to share the tradition of gifting salt in Hawaiʻi. When the Kona Salt Farm was set to close during 2020, she felt compelled to keep the salt farm going and also keep the tradition alive. Gibson started and continues with a commitment to donate proceeds to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, aiding in the removal of over 900 tons of marine debris.

Jay Rubenstein

General Manager, Royal Kona Resort

Jay Rubenstein is the General Manager of the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona. He has over thirty years of resort experience in Hawaiʻi with extensive experience in opening resorts. A very focused, dedicated and creative management style with operational excellence. A results-oriented leader with the ability to coach, mentor and strengthen teams. Jay has also played critical roles in supporting other organizations working within this industry, including serving on the Boards of the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau and the Kailua Village Business Improvement District.

Margo Bunnell

General Manager, Roberts Hawaii

Originally from Honolulu, but now a long time Waimea resident, Margo Bunnell has previously worked in several locations within Hawaiʻi Island’s hospitality industry, including: Mauna Kea Resort, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hawaiʻi Island Visitors Bureau, the Waikoloa Land Company and now, Roberts Hawaiʻi. Bunnell oversees all employees and management while using her knowledge to teach and control the marketing and sales for Hawaiʻi Island. She remains highly involved in the community, volunteering on the committee for the Waimea Heritage Cherry Blossom Festival, Hawaiʻi Island’s Food and Wine Festival, Asian Fest at the Waikoloa Beach Resort and the Waikoloa Great ʻUkulele Festival.

Moderator Profile

Albert “Alapaki” Nahale-a

Partner, Islander Institute

Alapaki has spent more than 30 years serving the community in a variety of roles. His past positions include director and chairman of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and as the CEO of the Global Resiliency Hub at ʻIole. He has held various roles at Kamehameha Schools including senior director of community strategies. He has also worked extensively for charter schools as president and executive director of the Hawaiʻi Charter School Network, member of the Hawaii charter school commission and director of two Hawaii public Charter Schools.

Resources

Hawaiʻi Island Workshop Informational Packet

What is the FTA program?

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