Connecting With & Within the Oʻahu Visitor Industry

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Hawaiʻi Convention Center

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 Oʻahu. 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 initially held in-person on Oʻahu and invited attendees to take advantage of opportunities beyond this panel discussion to network with and build relationships with partners and others throughout the visitor industry.

The topics covered in this workshop included:

  • Supporting regenerative experiences

  • Supporting circular economy and buying local items from local vendors and local artists

  • Gaps in the industry and a wishlist of locally made items

  • How to be involved and how to provide manaʻo on the future vision of HTA and the visitor industry throughout Hawaiʻi

  • The multiplier effect as it relates to Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry

  • What it takes to get in the lobby of a hotel and how to get on retail shelves throughout the industry

  • Marketing opportunities - particularly low-cost opportunities

Speakers Profiles

Haʻaheo Zablan

General Manager, Kaimana Beach Hotel

As a proud product of Papakōlea, the first Hawaiian Homestead on Oʻahu, Haʻaheo Zablan emulates the ʻaʻama crab with his ability to keep one eye on traditional Hawaiian culture, history, and values, and the other on innovation, regeneration, and the future of the Hawaiʻi visitor industry. Haʻaheo is leading the industry in perpetuating and including Hawaiian culture, history, and values throughout his property and has been continuously and successfully showcasing an authentic Hawaiʻi experience at the Kaimana Beach Hotel. Haʻaheo has collaborated with property ownership and local stakeholders who have positioned the Kaimana Beach Hotel as a premier destination in Waikīkī.

Alison Tomisato Alves

Director of Marketing, Marriott International

As a marketing innovator with extensive experience in topline strategy, cross-functional collaboration, brand positioning and external partnerships, Alison is skilled at multimedia storytelling and crafting authentic brand identities rooted in culture. Her leadership in the industry has been recognized with multiple awards including the 2023 Hawaiʻi Business Magazine “20 for the Next 20” Class of 2023. Driven by passion for community, Alison has deep experience in Hawaiʻi nonprofit board leadership including as the Vice President for GIFT Foundation of Hawaiʻi and the Aloha United Way Women United 2024 Event Chair.

Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā

Chief Stewardship Officer, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority

Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā is the Chief Stewardship Officer of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA). Ka‘anā‘anā is responsible for overseeing HTA’s various initiatives outlined in its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan in the areas of community empowerment, stewardship of the Hawaiian culture, preservation of natural resources, and brand management. Born and raised in Kailua on O‘ahu and fluent in ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, Ka‘anā‘anā is involved in a multitude of community activities, is one of 14 collaborative Native Hawaiian authors of the ‘Āina Aloha Economic Futures declaration, is a member of the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and is a 2019 Omidyar Fellow. His ‘ohana comes from Ka‘aihe‘e, Kailua, O‘ahu.

Justin Nakaʻahiki

Managing Director, Destination Marketing Hawai’i

A 20+ year veteran in advertising, marketing and sales, Justin recognizes the importance of integrated marketing strategies that positively impact businesses. As a small business owner, striking a balance of his client's profitable financial goals to ensure longevity and meaningful business practices of their products and services delivered are at the forefront when partnering with Hawaiʻi businesses and connecting them with his media partners to develop holistic marketing that addresses the entire customer journey being reached. Justin enjoys great food and good company at Oʻahu's fantastic dining options or spending time with family back home on Kauaʻi.

Moderator Profile

Tyler Iokepa Gomes

Chief Administrative Officer, Kilohana by Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement

Tyler Iokepa Gomes is the Chief Administrator of Kilohana at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CHNA), where he oversees the organization’s transformative approach to destination stewardship in the visitor industry. Gomes began his career as a Public Defender after graduating from the William S. Richardson School of Law with a JD and Certificate in Native Hawaiian Law in 2012 and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

Resources

Oʻahu Workshop Informational Packet

What is the FTA program?

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