Mufi's Message - October 25, 2021

Generational Mentoring

Aloha,

Yesterday afternoon, we kicked off the 2021-2022 class of our Generational Mentoring program. This year, we were blessed with an amazing group of applicants from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa TIM School, UH - West O'ahu, Brigham Young University - Hawai'i, and Hawai'i Pacific University. Nineteen of these students will participate in Generational Mentoring this year and, I look forward to seeing them thrive over the next six months.

Congratulations to this year's class of Generational Mentees:

• Alejandro Prieto Alvarez, Hawai‘i Pacific University
• Alyssa Cortez, Hawai‘i Pacific University
• Andino Mahreza, Brigham Young University - Hawai‘i.
• Chloe Nakagawa, University of Hawai‘i - West O'ahu
• Chloe Tiengerd, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
• Fanglin Xu, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
• Haruka Yamamoto, Hawai‘i Pacific University
• Jacqueline Callejo, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
• Ki'ilani-Kawena Heffernan, Brigham Young University - Hawai‘i
• Kristin Smith, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
• Marin Hasegawa, Hawai‘i Pacific University
• Michael-Joshua Heffernan, Brigham Young University - Hawai‘i
• Mylia Briggs, University of Hawai‘i - West O'ahu
• Noah Tadena, University of Hawai‘i -West O'ahu
• Riley Hannemann-Larson, Brigham Young University - Hawai‘i
• Sabrina Yee, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
• Sandrea Chung, University of Hawai‘i - West O'ahu
• Sarah Lorenzo, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa
• Wilma Galario, Hawai‘i Pacific University
  
  

Joining the mentees were key faculty members of the four institutions that helped facilitate the student nominations and ensured we had a pool of quality applicants to select for the current class. They include BYU - Hawai'i Assistant Professor at Center for Hospitality & Tourism Jeff Christensen, UH - West O'ahu Asst. Professor of Business Administration Holly Itoga, Hawai'i Pacific University Associate Professor of Hospitality & Tourism Management Dr. Wendy Lam, and iDirector & Advisor - TIM Office of Student Academic Services Carissa K.K. Gusman. Also in attendance was UH - Mānoa Professor Jerry Agrusa, Ph.D. who has been a longtime supporter of this and other HLTA programs.

I also want to send a special mahalo to our mentors for this year. Generational Mentoring would not be possible without these individuals who so willingly share their time, experience, and insights with the students. Mahalo to the following industry leaders:

• Aaron Alter, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Hawaiian Airlines
• Angela Nolan, Market General Manager, Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club
• Charlie Parker, General Manager, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
• Doug Chang, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach
• Ha'aheo Zablan, General Manager, Kaimana Beach Hotel
• Ike Cockett, General Manager, Hilton Garden Inn Wailua Bay
• Jennifer Batara, General Manager, Aston Waikiki Sunset and Aston Waikiki Banyan
• Jim Braman, General Manager, The Cliffs at Princeville
• Joshua Hargrove, General Manager, Prince Waikiki
• Julie Arigo, General Manager, Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani
• Kimberly Agas , General Manager, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
• Ryan Nobriga, General Manager, Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas
• Teri Orton, General Manager, Hawai‘i Convention Center
• Thomas Foti, General Manager, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
• Angela Vento, General Manager, Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui
• Kansas Henderson, Hotel Manager, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
• Lynette Eastman, General Manager, The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
• Markus Krebs, General Manager, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach
• Simeon Miranda, General Manager, Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk
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Finally, I'd like to thank my partner in starting this program, Arthur Sarkissian, Founder and CEO of Here and Now Consulting. As he would tell you, we created Generational Mentoring on a couple of napkins over a Zippy's breakfast, and to see how far it has come over the past several years bodes well for the future of our local hospitality industry.

Travel Re-Opening

Since Tuesday, October 19, when Governor Ige announced that nonessential travelers can book their trips to Hawai'i with confidence starting November 1, the media has been rife with coverage about the Governor's decision. This is a big boost for our industry to kickstart our economic recovery, but our efforts aren't over yet.

"As Hawaii welcomes visitors back, a battle brews between union and hotels," KHON2, October 20, 2021
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"2 months after asking tourists to stay away, governor once again throws out the welcome mat," Hawaii News Now, October 20, 2021

​"A plea for respect as Hawaii prepares to welcome back vaccinated visitors starting Nov. 1," KHON2, October 20, 2021
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"Hawaii governor invites visitors to return on Nov. 1," Travel Weekly, October 19, 2021

Now, with the State rules clear, we must turn our attention to the various counties where restrictive mandates continue to place hardships on local businesses. While it is imperative that we strike a fine balance between public health and economic recovery so as not to trigger another wave of COVID-19 infections, it is equally important that we begin to re-establish events and larger gatherings, both structured and not.

"Governor Ige encourages visitors to come to Hawaii," KITV, October 19, 2021
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​"Hawaii to welcome non-essential travel to and within state starting Nov. 1: Gov. Ige," KHON2, October 19, 2021
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"Ige Invites All Travelers Back to Hawai´i in Major Policy Shift," Big Island Now, October 19, 2021
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"HLTA: Return to Non-Essential Travel on Nov. 1 is First Step in Getting Economy Moving," Maui Now, October 19, 2021
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"Gov. David Ige invites visitors to resume non-essential travel to Hawaii on Nov. 1," Honolulu Star-Advertiser, October 19, 2021

In our ongoing discussions with our local State and county officials, we have continued to press for adjustments, and I feel that we will see some very welcome amendments to present rules shortly, especially given the Governor's recent announcement.

In the meantime, please enjoy your weekend.

Mahalo,
​Mufi