UPCOMING EVENTS

May
Wednesday, May 21:  Virtual Event

June
Wednesday, June 18 & Thursday, June 19:  Hawaii Hotel & Restaurant Show

July
Thursday, July 10: Fundraiser Event, Dress for Success

September
Wednesday , September 17:  Annual Mentoring Round Table Event

October
TBD:  HLTA General Membership Meeting

November
Wednesday, November 19: Community Service Event

PAST EVENTS

March
Wednesday, March 12, 2025: Signature Event,  Woman of the Year (WOTY)

​January
Wednesday, January 15, 2025: Kick Off Pau Hana, Network & Property Tour
Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (virtual): WAVE Connection

NOVEMBER
​Thursday, November 14th: Virtual Educational Webinar 
Tuesday, November 12: Virtual Seminar: Wave – Women Adding Value Everywhere – Virtual Event
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM - 30-minute virtual mixer with break-out rooms.

OCTOBER
Wednesday, October 09 at 3:30 PM: HIWIL Heart and Hope Care Package Workshop!

SEPTEMBER
Thursday, September 19: Women Mentoring Panel, Round Table & Networking | The Grove Restaurant @ The Modern, A Hilton Vacation Club

AUGUST 
Thursday, August 22: Networking Event with NAWIC – Empowering Connections

---

MISSION
Hawai‘i Women in Lodging & Tourism (HIWIL) is committed to the professional development of women in the hospitality industry, promoting long-term careers in hospitality and enhancing professionalism and success for women. The organization accomplishes its mission through educational programming, structured mentoring, and networking opportunities.

---

BE A MEMBER

Membership is open to persons employed in the hospitality industry in Hawai‘i. Individuals must register through Hawai‘i Women in Lodging & Tourism. Membership is free and open to all persons employed in the hospitality industry. 

For more information: [email protected]

CLICK HERE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

VOLUNTEER
​
Hawai‘i Women in Lodging & Tourism strives to help members grow personally and professionally. Volunteering your time and skills to our efforts is a fantastic way to boost your own development while broadening opportunities for others and working for the betterment of our industry and our community.

​For more information, please review and complete our volunteer form (download in Word or Acrobat PDF format).

---

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

​Karen Wataru Nakaoka
Chairperson
​Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau

Kahealani Colon
Lodging Vice Chairperson 
Hilton Grand Vacations ​

Karen Fowler
Allied Vice Chairperson
Design Collective By Cintas

Rachel Lii
Secretary
First Onsite

 Julie Arigo
Treasurer

Naomi Cooper
Director - Maui Representative
Maui Hotel & Lodging Association

Mary Loy
Director - O‘ahu Representative 
Outrigger Hospitality Group  ​

​Marguerite Heap
Director - Island of Hawai‘i Representative
Westin Hapuna Beach  

Jamie Shigeta
Director - Kaua‘i Representative 
The Point at ​Po‘ipū, A Hilton Grand Vacation Club

DIRECTORS

​Susie Fujikawa
​Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk

​Sandy Narvaez
​Marriott International 

Joy Tomita Anderson
​Prince Waikiki ​

TWO IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRPERSONS (ADVISORY ONLY)

Kyoko Kimura
​Aqua Aston Hospitality

COMMITTEES

​Angela Nolan
Highgate Hawaii

MEMBERSHIP
Chair: Asami “Sam” Arita
Karen Fowler
Lynette Eastman
Kathy Gunderson
Kyoko Kimura
Hannah Taito

​PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Chair: Rachel Lii
Kahealani Colon
Ann Kutaka
Patty Maher
Joy Tomita-Anderson
Pikake Vetere​
Keiko Warner-Egami
Katherine Allen
​Karen Yonemoto 

​COMMUNICATIONS
Chair: Sandy Narvaez
Kalena Kimura
Holly Morikami
Nicole Nakano 

DEVELOPMENT
Chair: Mary Loy
Julie Arigo
​Kiana Beimes
Naomi Gauthier ​

LEGISLATIVE CHAIR:
Kyoko Kimura

---

​2025 WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Announcement Coming Soon

---

​2024 WOMAN OF THE YEAR

​The Hawai‘i Women in Lodging & Tourism is pleased to announce our 2024 Woman of the Year,  Kathy Gunderson, Regional General Manager, Ohia Waikiki Suites Hotel and Oasis Hotel Waikiki.

Kathy's team reports that her management style is unlike any other. "She leads by example, consistently going above and beyond the call of duty. Kathy can be found assisting the front desk in checking in guests, helping with luggage, and even alleviating parking congestion by moving vehicles when necessary. She is equally comfortable rolling up her sleeves to support housekeeping during high occupancy periods, managing short-staffed shifts, or accommodating overbooked reservations. Her technical proficiency is equally commendable, serving as our in-house IT expert for the hotel, handling tasks such as installing video cameras and overseeing our RFID key system." 

Kathy Gunderson's impact extends beyond her role as a general manager. She has worked tirelessly with organizations such as Catholic Charities, OHA, the State of Hawai‘i Housing, US Vets, and the Ronald McDonald House to provide temporary housing solutions to distressed families. Her commitment to both hotels and the broader community exemplifies her extraordinary character.

Mahalo to Silofa "Tasi" Singh, Hotel Manager, and the entire team for nominating Kathy for this award.

---