Leading with Vision and Purpose

Group of fifteen people standing on grass with ocean and sky in the background, posing for a photo, several holding hands or with arms around one another, some wearing casual and some traditional tropical clothing, a palm tree with two large tiki torches behind them.

Our board represents a diverse group of industry professionals committed to advancing hospitality in Hawai'i.

Through leadership, service, and innovation, we strive to strengthen our local community, support the global mission of HSMAI, and ensure the spirit of aloha thrives in every facet of our chapter.

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Meet The Board

  • A woman with long brown hair smiling outdoors, wearing a navy blue V-neck shirt, with a blurred green, leafy background.

    Rachel Whitfield

    Co-President
    Global Sales Associate
    Associated Luxury Hotels International

  • A woman with long black hair, smiling, wearing a white top, posed against a plain gray background.

    Yvonne McDowell

    Co-President
    Director of Revenue Management
    Fairmont Kea Lani

  • Headshot of a smiling Asian woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a dark blazer and a necklace, against a neutral background.

    Mari Kam

    Immediate Past President
    CEO & Co-Founder
    The Ku Collective

  • A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a navy polka dot top and black cardigan, smiling against a dark background.

    Ayaka Hong

    Managing Director
    Vice President, Marketing
    The Ku Collective

  • A smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing earrings and a black and white patterned dress, standing outdoors near grass, trees, and water.

    Kapua Steward

    VP Membership
    Client Director
    Sabre Hospitality Solutions

  • A smiling woman with dark hair standing in front of a framed landscape painting and white orchid plants in a pot.

    Monica Kawamata

    Co-VP Education
    Director of Marketing
    Renaissance Honolulu Hotel & Spa

  • Portrait of a woman with wavy hair, smiling, wearing pink top and spiral earrings against a neutral background.

    Jodi Nakama

    Co-VP Education
    Sales Consultant
    JPG Hawaii

  • A woman with long dark hair smiling outdoors with green foliage in the background, wearing a black blazer and a patterned blouse.

    Crystal Idica-Joanou

    VP Hospitality
    Vice President of Distribution Strategy & Activation
    Castle Hospitality Group

  • Smiling young man with short dark hair, wearing a gray Hawaiian shirt with white floral patterns, against a plain gray background.

    Jay Raquinio

    VP Finance
    Sales Manager
    Embassy Suites by Hilton

  • A woman smiling, wearing a blue and white patterned dress, a white floral necklace, and a large white flower in her hair, with a colorful background.

    Asami (Sam) Arita

    VP Sponsorship
    Regional Director of Asia Sales & Marketing
    Highgate Hawai'i

  • Kin Seo

    VP of Communications
    CEO
    Lights On

  • A smiling man with short gray hair, wearing a white shirt, outdoors near trees.

    Jeff Christensen

    Collegiate Liaison
    Director, Center for Hospitality + Travel Management
    Brigham Young University - Hawaii

  • A man in a dark blue suit, white shirt, and patterned blue tie, with black hair, looking at the camera against a plain white background.

    Kwanglim Seo

    Collegiate Liaison
    Graduate Program Director
    UH Manoa - School of Travel Industry Management

  • A woman with long dark hair smiling indoors near a staircase, wearing a dark blazer over a striped shirt.

    Susan Koehler

    Golf Co-Chair
    Director of Sales & Marketing
    Courtyard Marriott Oahu North Shore

  • A professional woman with black shoulder-length hair, wearing a black blazer and a pearl necklace, smiling against a gray background.

    Charlene Nakamura

    Golf Co-Chair
    Area Director of Sales
    Hilton Hawaii

  • A portrait of a young woman with long wavy brown hair, wearing a black sleeveless top and a delicate necklace, smiling against a blue background.

    Vickie Zhu

    Education Committee
    Sales Manager
    Holiday Inn Express Waikiki

  • Portrait of a woman with long wavy hair smiling, standing outdoors with pink flowers and green foliage in the background.

    Lyndy Weyker

    Membership Committee
    Account Manager
    Booking.com

  • A woman with long curly dark hair, smiling, wearing a white shirt, with a yellow and white flower in her hair, standing outdoors with green plants in the background.

    Dani Sipin

    Director at Large
    Associate Market Manager
    Priceline Agoda

  • A man with short dark hair, light skin, and brown eyes, smiling in front of a mountain and a town with houses and trees, wearing a patterned shirt and a black beaded necklace.

    Dan Wacksman

    Director at Large
    Principal
    Sassato LLC

  • Pam Cabrera

    Director at Large
    Corporate Director of Military Affairs Outrigger Hotels & Resorts