From mid-July to mid-August, there’s been an array of new hires in the Hawaii tourism industry from hotel promotions to airline appointments. Travel Agent breaks down the latest title changes so agents know just who to add to their contacts when looking to get an inside edge on selling Hawaii travel.
Royal Kona Resort Hires New General Manager
Jay Rubenstein, a 25-year hospitality industry veteran in Hawaii, has been appointed to the position of general manager at the Royal Kona Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island.
He replaces Lalo Fernandez, who transferred to his home state of California this month to join the Hogan Family Foundation and take over management of the Gardens of the World botanical gardens in Thousand Oaks. Rubenstein, formerly director of sales and hotel manager at the Royal Kona Resort, began his career in the travel industry as a front desk agent at the Sheraton Waikiki.
During his 18 years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, he was involved in various operations capacities and held several sales and marketing positions. He also helped open Starwood hotels on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. He later spent three years as general manager of the Regency at Hualalai, a retirement community on Hawaii. Prior to coming to the Royal Kona Resort in 2009, he was front office manager at The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. Visit www.hawaiihotels.com.
Hyatt Regency Maui Appoints Allan Farwell General Manager
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa has appointed Allan Farwell as general manager. Farwell has more than 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has served as general manager for various Hyatt hotels for 23 years.
Farwell was first appointed as a Hyatt general manager in 1990, where he served at the Park Hyatt Chicago. Throughout the years he has spent time as general manager of the Park Hyatt Washington D.C., Hyatt Regency Chicago and Hyatt Regency La Jolla, among other luxury properties.
In Palm Springs, Farwell served as chairman of the California Hotel and Lodging Association, chairman of the Palm Springs Desert Resort Convention and Visitors Bureau and board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Coachella Valley. Visit www.maui.hyatt.com.
Grand Wailea Hires New Director of National Accounts
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort on Maui recently appointed Diana Kamper as the new director of national accounts in its group sales department.
Kamper’s primary goal is to expand the franchise and franchise association business to the resort. She will be based in Arizona serving as an “in-market” sales director.
Grand Wailea has 22 meeting rooms and offers a total of 100,000 square feet of available indoor and outdoor function space. The resort's Haleakala Ballroom is one of the largest neighbor-island ballrooms. Kamper has a diverse background in the hospitality industry including hotels, resorts, destination management companies and cruise line sales experience.
Prior to joining the Grand Wailea team, Kamper was on the “client” side of the business as president of Signature Sites & Incentives where her primarily responsibilities included researching venues and assisting clients with site selection and inspections, budgeting and contract negotiations.
Her additional sales and management experience include AlliedPRA Arizona, Residential Cruise Line, Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Resort and Hilton Suites Brentwood. Visit www.grandwailea.com.
The Mauna Kea Resort Hires New Head Golf Professional
Representatives of the Mauna Kea Resort, home to The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Golf Course and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Golf Course, recently announced the appointment of Duane Otte, a member of the Professional Golfers Association (PGA), to head golf professional.
Otte will be responsible for golf operations including instructional programs, special events, tournaments, member relations, guest service, promotions and marketing.
Otte brings more than 13 years of golf experience to the resort as an accomplished golf professional and sales manager. Prior to joining Mauna Kea Resort, Otte worked at the Golf Channel and GolfNow.com as the market sales manager for Hawaii. He has also served as a golf professional at the Kona Country Club, Hualalai Resort, Four Seasons Nevis in the Caribbean and at the Westin La Paloma Resort Hotel.
The Mauna Kea Resort sits on 1,800-acres of the famed Kohala Coast and is home to The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was developed by famed financier Laurance S. Rockefeller. Visit www.PrinceResortsHawaii.com.
Hawaiian Airlines Hires New Director of Revenue Analytics
Hawaiian Airlines has announced the appointment of Bryan Kapeckas to the position of director - revenue analytics, with responsibility for supporting the company’s revenue management and commercial initiatives.
Kapeckas brings 13 years of airline revenue management, alliance and partnership experience to Hawaiian. Prior to joining Hawaiian, he served as manager, alliance and airline partnerships at JetBlue Airways, where he was responsible for negotiating partnerships with international airlines.
He previously served as manager, revenue management at JetBlue and as specialist/team lead, inventory management and project manager, revenue management training at U.S. Airways. Visit www.HawaiianAirlines.com.