UPCOMING EVENTS

OAHU

January
January 7, 2026: Quarterly Membership WAVE Connection - Virtual
January 15, 2026: NAWIC Hawaii – Wahine Connect – joint event 

March
March 9, 2026: Signature Event – Women of the Year – Lunch Event

April
April 1, 2026: Quarterly Membership WAVE Connection - Virtual

July
July 1, 2026: Quarterly Membership WAVE Connection - Virtual

September
September 16, 2026: Women Mentoring Event – Pau Hana Event

October
October 1, 2026: Quarterly Membership WAVE Connection - Virtual

(TBD): Casual & Connected –  Pau Hana Event

NEIGHBOR ISLAND
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Maui – TBD
Kauai - TBD
Big Island - TBD

Note: Dates subject to change. Please check the website for updated information.

PAST EVENTS

​November
Wednesday, November 19: TBD

​October
Thursday, October 2: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (virtual): WAVE Connection​

​July
Tuesday, July 1: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (virtual): WAVE Connection
​Thursday, July 10: Fundraiser Event, Dress for Success

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

May
Wednesday, May 21:  Virtual Event

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

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MISSION
Hawai‘i Women in Lodging & Tourism exists to empower, connect, and elevate women across Hawai‘i’s tourism industry. We foster leadership, mentorship, and professional growth by creating inclusive spaces for networking, education, and community impact. Through strategic partnerships and a strong, member-driven foundation, we champion the advancement of women at every stage of their careers, while honoring the culture of aloha and our role in shaping a resilient and thriving industry.

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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]
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CLICK HERE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

VOLUNTEER
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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).

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairperson
Kathy Gunderson
Area Manager, Castle Hotels & Resorts & General Manager - Waikiki Circle Hotel by Castle​

Lodging Vice Chairperson
​Jamie Shigeta
Area General Manager, The Point at Poipu, A Hilton Grand Vacation Club

Allied Vice Chairperson
​Karen Fowler
Senior Apparel Specialist, Cintas Design Collective 

Secretary
​Aly Wee
Owner, Aly Wee Consulting

Treasurer
​Patty Maher
General Manager, Aqua Palms Waikiki

DIRECTORS

Director - Maui Representative
Tara Dugan
Enterprise Sales/Major Accounts, Digital & Experience Hawaii Media
​Pacific Media Group

Director - O‘ahu Representative
Mary Loy 
Area Director Leisure Sales, OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group 

​Director - Island of Hawai‘i Representative​
Marguerite Heap
Hotel Manager, Mauna Kea Resort​

Director - Kaua‘i Representative
Katie Brenner 
​General Manager, Sheraton Kauai Resort

Director at Large​
Susie Fujikawa
Director of Sales & Marketing, Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk

Director at Large​
Monica Issolina Eder
Sales Manager, Cirque Du Soleil ‘AUANA​

Director at Large​​
Naomi Gauthier
Co-Founder, The Art Agency 

TWO IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRPERSONS

Karen Wataru Nakaoka
Sr Director Member & Community Engagement - Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau

Kyoko Kimura
Director of Owner Relations, Aqua Aston Hospitality

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

Membership Chairperson
Asami Arita
Regional Director of Asia Sales & Marketing - Highgate

Programs and Events Chairperson​
Rachel Lii
Regional Sales Director, First Onsite

Development Chairperson
Mary Loy
​OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group, Area Director Leisure Sales

Legislative Chairperson
​Kyoko Kimura
Aqua-Aston Hospitality - Director of Owner Relations​

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​2026 WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Hawaiʻi Women in Lodging & Tourism (HIWIL) announced Kiana Beimes, General Manager of OUTRIGGER Waikiki Paradise Hotel, as the 2026 HIWIL Woman of the Year, recognizing her exceptional leadership in Hawaiʻi’s hospitality industry, deep community engagement, and positive influence across the visitor industry.
 
Beimes advanced from intern to General Manager at OUTRIGGER in just ten years and, most recently, led the complete renovation and rebranding of OUTRIGGER Waikiki Paradise Hotel, delivering the project in ten months. Under her leadership, the property’s TripAdvisor rating increased from 2.5 to 4.0 in 2025. Her industry leadership has also been recognized nationally, including her selection for the AHLA Forward Panel at the 2024 Women’s Conference in Chicago.
 
In addition to her professional achievements, Beimes is actively engaged in community and industry service. She supports environmental initiatives through the Genki Ala Wai Project, serves as Vice President of SKAL Hawaiʻi with election as President for 2026, and is a board member of Aloha Festivals Hawaiʻi. She is also a dedicated mentor, supporting students and young professionals through programs including ClimbHI, Kapiʻolani Community College’s HOST Program, and the SKAL Young Professionals Program.
 
“Kiana embodies what it means to lead with purpose in Hawaiʻi’s hospitality industry,” said Kathy Gunderson, Chairperson of Hawaiʻi Women in Lodging & Tourism. “Her career accomplishments, commitment to community, and dedication to mentoring the next generation make her a powerful role model and an exceptional choice for HIWIL Woman of the Year.”
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