John Aeto, Board Member

John Aeto is the President of Hiki No CC, a Hawai‘i based Communications and Consulting Company. Hiki No CC specializes in Government, Community and Media Affairs. Prior to Hiki No CC John was the General Manager of VRE Hawaii, a locally owned Hawai‘i Broadcast Company. John has been in the Media and Broadcast industry for over 23 years and has held several key management positions at both Cox Radio Hawai‘i and VRE Radio Group.

Mr. Aeto is also President of Hiki No Records, a record and production company that started in 1996.

Mr. Aeto graduated from the Kamehameha Schools in 1985 and attended San Mateo College in San Francisco and Hawai‘i Pacific University. He is married (Charmaine), has two children, Jarrison (son) and Janae (daughter), and currently resides in Kapālama Heights.

• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA), Board Member
• Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, Treasurer
• Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl, Board Member
• March of Dimes Hawai‘i, Board Member
• Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Board Member
• Hale Kipa, Board Member
• Diamond Head Classic Basketball Tournament, Advisory Committee
• Pacific Club, Member

Daniel "Kaniela" Kahikina Akaka, Jr., Board Member

Daniel "Kaniela" Kahikina Akaka, Jr. was born and raised in Nu‘uanu and Pauoa Valleys. He attended the Kamehameha Schools for 13 years. His educational career continued at the University of Hawai‘i where he received a Bachelors degree in the Hawaiian Studies Program.

Mr. Akaka is presently employed at the Mauna Lani Resort, on the Island of Hawai‘i, as the Director of Cultural Affairs. His position at the resort allows him to share the history and culture of Hawai‘i with the hotel guests as well as the many school groups that come to Mauna Lani to learn about Hawaiian aquaculture.

Although he has been employed at Mauna Lani for the past 22 years, his business career has included Aloha Airlines, Hawaiian Holidays, Hawaiian Foliage & Landscaping, the Hawai‘i Maritime Center, and Director of Corporate Affairs for American Hawai‘i Cruises.

Mr. Akaka comes from a family of seven. He and his wife, formerly Anna Lui-Kwan (KS Class ‘72) have chosen Kona to be their home. They have 5 children, one daughter and four sons.

In keeping with the Hawaiian culture, he has had the opportunity to be a crewmember of the Hokule‘a for two of its voyages. His first voyage with the canoe was in 1995 along the Pacific Northwest with his wife, Anna, in attendance. His second voyage was in 1999 in which he participated on the second leg of the voyage to Rapa Nui. His position on the canoe was as the Protocol Officer. Mr. Akaka was also honored to be a participant on other canoe projects which included the making of the "Mauloa" canoe as well as helping construct and sail the double-hulled canoe "Makali‘i". In his work today, Mr. Akaka is involved in perpetuating the culture, the essence, and the Spirit of Hawai‘i.

• Bishop Museum, Board Member
• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Board Member
• Pohakuloa Cultural Advisory Board
• Nā Kokua Kaloko-Honokohau (Friends of Kaloko-Honokohau), Board Member
• TREE Foundation
• Nā ‘Aikane o Pu‘ukoholā

Cy Bridges, Past President

Cy M. Bridges is a musician, composer, singer, Kumu Hula, lecturer, and genealogist. He is currently the Cultural Director at the Polynesian Cultural Center where he has been employed for over 41 years.

Mr. Bridges has lectured and made presentations at the: Bishop Museum, BYUH, UH, UCLA, Arizona State University, ALU LIKE, Inc., Queen Lili‘uokalani Children's Center and cultural conferences and festivals in New Zealand, Cook Islands, Tahiti, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico and the Continental U.S. He also serves as a judge for various hula competitions here in Hawai‘i, on the continent as well as Japan, most notably the prestigious Merrie Monarch Festival.

He is the Ko‘olauloa representative on the O‘ahu Island Burial Council of the State Historical Preservations Department. Its purpose is to advise the Department of Land and Natural Resources on all matters pertaining to sacred and historic burial sites more than 50 years old which are located on private, state, and county properties.

Among the most important kuleana he has is being, Hon and dad as well as the esteemed title of Papa.

Kainoa Daines, Board Member ‘Opio Council

Kainoa Daines has recently joined the charming Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel as Director of Sales North America & International / Cultural Director. Previously with the Miramar At Waikïkï, Kainoa is excited about merging culture and sales/marketing in an entertaining and educational yet appropriate way.

A resident of Ha‘ikū Kāne‘ohe, Kainoa is also heavily involved with the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, and through this noble organization has been appointed by Governor Lingle to chair the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission.

A proud graduate of the Kamehameha Schools (1997), Kainoa follows his grandmother, Marjorie Alo Morgan (of Wailuku, Maui), Class of 1935, his mother Poni Daines, Class of 1971 and his baby sister, Līlia Daines, Class of 2001. Kainoa is very much a part of alumni-related functions and activities. Besides lots of Alumni relatives, Kainoa holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in Hotel Administration.

"I am honored to be a part of such a wonderful group of Hawaiians! 2010 is going to be a great year for NaHHA!"

• Aloha Festivals Board of Directors
• Hawai‘i Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association
• Hawai‘i Business Travel Association
• Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu
• Kamehameha Schools Alumni Association, O‘ahu Region
• Kamehameha Alumni Networking Association
• Ka Pā Hula Hawai‘i, Kumu Hula John R. Kaha‘i Topolinski
• King Kamehameha Day Celebration Commission, Chair
• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
• Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Moku o Hawai‘i

Stella Burgess, Board Member

As Manager, Hawaiian Culture & Community Relations, Stella Burgess provides ongoing cultural training for the Hyatt's 900 employees. Ms. Burgess is prominent in the Kaua‘i community, heading island-wide cultural events throughout the year.

• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Board Member
• Koloa Community Association
• American Lung Association
• Pu'u Wanawana
• Na Hui Kau Kahoku, cultural sites protocol
• Kupuna Koloa School, volunteer 4 hours a week
• Kaua‘i United Way Representative
• Koloa Plantation Days Parade Coordinator
• Hawaiiana Festival Coordinator, celebrating all cultures of Hawai‘i
• Kauaiian Days: Representative on behalf of the Hyatt Regency
• Koloa Heritage Trail
• Prince Kühiö Day, Coordinator

John DeFries, President

John De Fries is the Founder and President of Native Sun Business Group, a tourism consulting firm whose clients come from diverse fields such as hotel-resort operations and marketing, real estate development, entertainment and the performing arts, television sports marketing and health and wellness.

Mr. De Fries has been directly involved with the Hawai‘i visitor industry for the past 28 years, with 20 years of management and senior executive responsibilities. From 1972 - 1985 his work experience encompassed tour and travel operations, hotel operations, and hotel sales, and marketing, while employed at Amfac Hotels and Resorts and its subsidiary, Island Holidays Tours.

From 1985 - 1992 he served as Vice President-Assistant to the Chairman of Landmark Hotels. During this period, the company had a half-billion dollars worth of Hawai‘i development projects under way, including the Embassy Suites Kā‘anapali; the Kea Lani Hotel in Wailea, Maui; and the Pointe at Poipu on Kaua‘i.

Mr. De Fries was born and raised in Waikīkī, Oahu. He is a graduate of Punahou School and attended the University of Hawai‘i. Today, he and his wife, Ginny, reside in Kona, Hawai‘i.

• The Five Mountain Medical Community, Board Member
• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Board President
• Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program - Bishop Museum, Board Member

Noelani Mahoe, Board Member

A well-known and highly respected singer and musicologist, Noelani Mahoe has been singing professionally for over 30 years. She has performed in various Hawaiian and international venues and was finalist for Female Vocalist of the year 1996 Na Hoku Hanohano Award. Her specialty is true Native Hawaiian songs.

Ms. Mahoe is co-author, with Samuel H. Elbert, of Na Mele o Hawai‘i Nei: 101 Hawaiian Songs, an annotated collection of Hawaiian songs in an authoritative text with translation. Compiled E Himeni Hawai‘i Kakou, a special project for the Hawai‘i State Governor's Committee, provided to each school and library in Hawai‘i. Compiled Na Mele Ho‘ona‘auao, a Hawaiian Studies Resource music book, for the Hawai‘i State Department of Education.

She has taught music, hula and/or Hawaiian Studies at schools and community organizations throughout Hawai‘i. She has developed and led adult and keiki (children) choruses in Hawai‘i, California and Japan. Also, she has assisted the Department of Education in the development of the Hawaiian Studies Curriculum Guides, and trained principals, teachers, and kūpuna. Ms. Mahoe has coordinated Hawaiian music concerts for the Hawaiian Music Foundation and has also planned and organized their Na Mele Hawai‘i video series for Hawai‘i Public Television. She has served as judge for Hawaiian song contests statewide, organized choruses for the Outrigger Hotels and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, and organized the first Hospitality Industry Song Contest.

Ms. Mahoe graduated from Kamehameha School for Girls and received her B.S. Degree and Professional Teaching Certificate from the University of Hawai‘i.

• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Board Member

Jace McQuivey, Secretary

Jace McQuivey is currently the General Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Hawai‘i Reserves, Inc. He is responsible for all legal issues related to land and utility management. Prior to joining Hawai‘i Reserves McQuivey was Vice President and General Legal Counsel for Consolidated Resorts, Inc. In this capacity, he was responsible for all legal issues related to time-share development and sales.

Mr. McQuivey has a B.A. degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University, Provo and a Juris Doctor degree from Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School. During law school, he served as President of the Native American Law Students Association.

• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Board Member & Officer
• Lanihuli Hawaiian Civic Club, Charter Director

Maile Meyer Broderick, Board Member

Maile Meyer founded Native Books in 1990, Native Books & Beautiful Things in 1995, and Na Mea Hawai‘i in 2003. She is an entrepreneur with a passion to support Native Hawaiian producers, artists and manufacturers of made-in Hawai‘i products. Na Mea Hawai‘i currently has three retail stores that celebrate Hawaiian material culture and local products. Native Books works extensively with schools, institutions and libraries to ensure that culturally sensitive, historically accurate information on Hawai‘i is readily available. Native Books maintains a website and assists in the publication of materials important to the Hawaiian community.

Ms. Meyer received an MBA in Marketing and Arts Management at Anderson School of Management, UCLA, Los Angeles, California. She received her undergraduate degree from Stanford University.

• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Board Member
• Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Director
• Mālama Hawai‘i
• Queen Lili‘uokalani Children's Center, Advisory Council, Member
• Hawai‘i Book Publishers Association
• Mālama Hawai‘i Publications Committee
• Daughters of Hawai‘i
• Prince Kühiö Hawaiian Civic Club
• Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club
• Young of Heart Workshop and Gallery
• Pu‘uhonua Society
• Pacific Writers Connection, Director
• Honolulu Book Festival

Joni Paaha‘o, Board Member

Joni Paaha‘o has been an integral part of Hawai‘i's visitor industry enjoying a 25 year career in meetings & conventions, corporate, and leisure travel. Before retirement, she held the position of Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Revenue Management with ResortQuest Hawai‘i, formerly Aston Hotels and Resorts. She provided the strategic direction and leadership to achieve fiscal goals by successfully marketing a portfolio of 28 diverse hotel and condominium resort properties on the four major Hawaiian Islands. She understands organization change and has been part of an executive team that successfully led the transition of a privately owned local kama‘āina company to a publicly held firm.

She has experienced all aspects of tourism through the best and worst of times, has in-depth working knowledge of this industry and established relationships with top travel industry leaders and companies that market Hawai‘i throughout North America, Japan, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Joni's true Ho‘ohana is found in the fulfillment of a purpose driven life. As a Native Hawaiian, she believes that the greatest challenge we face is to influence and redirect increasing external and global forces that have an impact on our island state, people and culture, and precious island lifestyle.

She hosted "Responsibility of Aloha", a cultural awareness program bringing together travel industry leaders and community groups from Windward Oahu. She supports a paradigm shift that is based on the concept of mālama ‘āina, stewardship and the notion that if it is good for the locals and residents, it will be good for the tourists, and not the other way around.

Retirement will allow her to further pursue her desire to heighten awareness and recognition of the impact of tourism. She hopes to remove barriers between the travel industry and grassroots communities and serve as a bridge for community tourism. We all share responsibility for the mobilization of large numbers of foreigners into a local social system. This often benefits corporate conglomerates but undermines pre-existing social relationships, natural resources and local lifestyles. The future is up to each and every one of us, and it is not too late for us to be diligent about stewardship to protect, manage and nurture that which sustains us.

• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Board Member

Diane Peters-Nguyen, Board Member

As Chaminade University's Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Diane Peters-Nguyen directs all aspects of the University's institutional relations, development, and public relations. Since her appointment in 2007, she assisted in the capping of the $66 million Transformations campaign and has worked to raise the overall visibility of the institution. The advancement office is responsible for the athletics fundraising, annual fund, alumni relations, major gifts and University communications and publications. She serves as a member of the President's Leadership Council and, with the President, as a principal liaison to the University's Boards of Regents and Governors. She is also a Trustee of the Chaminade University Education Foundation.

Ms. Peters-Nguyen has a M.A. in International Affairs with an emphasis in East-Asia from George Washington University. She earned her B.A. from the University of California at Santa Barbara and is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools.

• Hawai‘i Society of Corporate Planners, President
• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Board Member
• University Community Partnership, Member
• UH Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Past Advisory Council Member
• Friends of the East-West Center, Board Member
• ‘Ölelo Community Media, Board Member
• Pacific Arts Foundation, Board Member
• Prince Kühiö Hawaiian Civic Club, Member
• Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, Member
• Honolulu City & County Planning Commission, Chair 2005

Lori Sablas, Board Member

Lori Sablas is the Director of Po‘okela at the Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel on the Island of Maui, a position she has held since 1989. Started in 1986, the Po‘okela program has won state and national recognition for its success in its host cultural training of its employees.

Her past experiences include positions at SRI International in California, as Director of Leisure Sales at the Stouffer Wailea Beach Resort, and as Managing Director of the Kā‘anapali Beach Operators Association from 1977-1987, with the responsibility of marketing and promoting the world's first master-planned resort.

• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Founding Board Member
• Friends of Moku‘ula, Founding Board Member
• Hawaii Ecotourism Association, Board Member
• Maui Hawaiian Agencies and Organizations
• National Ecotourism Association, Advisor
• Maui County Cultural Resources Commission, Chairperson
• Mayor's Transportation Committee, Member
• Lahaina Bypass Now, Board Member
• Governor's Maui Advisory Council
• Maui Planning Commissioner
• Lahaina Restoration Foundation, Board Member

Phil Sammer, Board Member

Phil Sammer has been General Manager of the ‘Ilima Hotel in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, since 1984.

His previous positions include: Hotel General Manager, Captain Cook Beach Hotel, Moorea, French Polynesia; General Manager, Hawaiian King Hotel, Honolulu, Hawai‘i; and Hotel Assistant Manager, Ala Moana Hotel, Honolulu Hawai‘i.

• Hawai‘i Hotel Association 1994-1995, Chair
• State Tourism Training Council 1992-1997, Member
• Chamber of Commerce Visitor Industry Council, Past Chairman
• Board of Managers of Central YMCA, Past Chairman
• Alliance Franchise of Hawai‘i, Past President
• Rotary Club of Waikīkī, Past President
• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Board Member
• Hawai‘i Region, Y Service Clubs International, U.S. Area President
• Better Business Bureau, Board Member
• Hospitality Education Project, Committee Member

Carla Thomas, Vice President

Michael B. White, Treasurer

Michael White has been the General Manager of the Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel since 1985 and represented the seventh district in the State House of Representatives from 1993 to 1998. In the Legislation, Mr. White has served on the Tourism, Economic Development and Finance Committees. During his tenure he spearheaded the effort to educate his colleagues on the importance of increased and dedicated funding for visitor promotion as an economic development stimulator.

A lifetime resident of Hawai‘i, Mr. White received his degree from the University of Hawai‘i School of Travel Industry Management. His hotel career began in 1969 at the Halekulani Hotel in Waikīkī, bussing tables in the Hau Tree Terrace Restaurant. He has held various managerial positions at the Hawaiian Regent (1971-1973), Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (1973 - 1982), and the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel (1982 to 1985).

At Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel, Mr. White and Dr. George Kanahele implemented Project Po‘okela, a program designed to enhance employees' understanding of the Hawaiian culture and its values so that visitors will have a more enriching and enjoyable visit. As a result of this process, the Hotel employees have created an atmosphere in which they freely share their aloha with visitors through song, crafts and education. The Po‘okela process has resulted in KBH being recognized as Hawaii's "Most Hawaiian Hotel". The focus on the Hawaiian culture has created true aloha and has provided the Hotel with a product differentiation.

• Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Board Member & Officer