Maui Hotel & Lodging Association

Maui Hotel & Lodging Association Maui Hotel & Lodging Association is a nonprofit organization serving the visitor industry communities

Member, join us on Monday, August 17th at noon for an exclusive Town Hall with the Nob Hill Gazette!For 45 years, Nob H...
08/15/2026

Member, join us on Monday, August 17th at noon for an exclusive Town Hall with the Nob Hill Gazette!

For 45 years, Nob Hill Gazette has been the luxury lifestyle magazine-of-record for San Francisco and Silicon Valley’s social, cultural, and philanthropic activity. Locally owned and produced on a trademark oversized canvas, we deliver brilliantly designed coverage of food and wine, travel, arts, culture, and fundraising events to over 100,000 readers each month — including printed delivery to 50,000 homes in the most prestigious neighborhoods, a digital edition, and a curated email list of 50,000 opt-in subscribers with a net worth over $4M.

Members may register on the website (and profile linktree) and submit questions through the submission. This is complimentary for MHLA members.

Last night, we were honored by Hawaii’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine “Hospitality Issue Launch Celebration” in Honolu...
08/12/2026

Last night, we were honored by Hawaii’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine “Hospitality Issue Launch Celebration” in Honolulu. John Pele, our executive director, is featured in the current publication along with the following MHLA members and affiliates:

• Derrin Abac – Director of Food & Beverage, Hotel Wailea, Relais & Château
• Matt Bailey – President & CEO, Castle Resorts & Hotels
• Jennifer Chun – Director of Tourism Research, State of Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
• Jeffrey Eslinger – Senior Director, Market Insights & CRM, Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau
• Jerry Gibson – President, Hawaii Hospitality Group & Hawaii Hotel Alliance
• Stephen Hinck – Area Managing Director, Highgate Hotels and General Manager, Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, Highgate Hotels
• Amber Watt – Director of Marketing and Communications, Hotel Wailea, Relais & Châteaux

Congratulations to all the honorees last night and featured professionals of the hospital industry!

As published in The Maui News: Today, August 7, the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) hosted a Maui Charity Walk A...
08/08/2026

As published in The Maui News: Today, August 7, the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) hosted a Maui Charity Walk Allocation Reception Breakfast at the Fairmont Kea Lani where another record-breaking total of $1,793,769 was distributed to over seventy-eight nonprofit beneficiaries of the Maui County Charity Walk that took place on May 9. Statewide, the Visitor Industry Charity Walk raised over $3 million with walks on Kauai, Hawaii Island, Oahu and Maui. Since MHLA started hosting the Charity Walk in 1980, over $23 million has been raised for Maui County, with Maui raising the most dollars per capita for 17 consecutive years.

Charity Walk Chair, Michael Pye, General Manager of Fairmont Kea Lani and John Pele, Executive Director of Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, presented Silver Slipper Awards to the top teams in several categories. In addition, the second and third place fundraising organizations were each honored with a plaque.

“The true beauty of Charity Walk is not what we raise, but why we raise it,” shared Charity Walk Chair, Michael Pye. “It’s a reflection of our community coming together in the spirit of aloha to support and strengthen the Maui we all call home. It has been an honor to serve as this year’s chair.”

Mayor Richard Bissen congratulated the partnership between the visitor industry and the nonprofits in his speech and also emphasized how their commitment strengthens the Maui community. Other dignitaries present at the breakfast were Senator Troy Hashimoto, Representative Terez Amato, Councilmembers Tom Cook and Kauanoe Batangan.

All residents and visitors alike are encouraged to get involved in the 2027 Maui Charity Walk scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2027 at the War Memorial Complex. Grant applications, team registrations and details for kick-off meetings will be available on the MHLA website mauihla.org, in fall.

Photo credits: Maui PhotoHub

Marriott Resorts recently announced that Eric Duff has accepted the position of Dual General Manager at the AC Hotel & R...
08/04/2026

Marriott Resorts recently announced that Eric Duff has accepted the position of Dual General Manager at the AC Hotel & Residence Inn Maui Wailea, effective August 10, 2026.

Eric is a seasoned hospitality leader with more than 30 years of experience spanning resort operations, food & beverage, events, and guest experience management. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions with premier hospitality brands including Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Westin Vacation Club and the Hyatt Vacation Club.

Most recently, Eric served as General Manager of Hyatt Vacation Club Ka’anapali Beach Resort. His team’s efforts were recognized with Hyatt Vacation Club’s Customer Focus Award for Food & Beverage ancillary performance and the Community Focus Award for exceptional support of local charities in 2025.

Prior to Hyatt Vacation Club, Eric served as Resort Manager at The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, and nearly a decade at the Wailea Beach Resort, serving in multiple leadership positions including Resident Manager, Director of Food & Beverage, and Director of Event Management. During his tenure, he helped guide the resort to Forbes Recommended status for three consecutive years and earned both the Global Event Management Award for Event Excellence, and Marriott’s President’s Circle Award for Global Event Management. Eric has held leadership positions at several additional Marriott brand hotels including The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa, and the Scottsdale Marriott.

Passionate about tourism and the Maui community, Eric is committed to fostering strong teams, meaningful guest connections, and a culture of service excellence. He currently serves as a board member with the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association and actively supports Children’s Miracle Network fundraising initiatives across Maui.

Outside of work, Eric enjoys golfing, fishing, diving, and spending time outdoors. He lives on Maui with his wife, Kim, children and their yellow Labrador.

We are proud to have Eric as a board member of MHLA!

Maui Hotel & Lodging Association Political Action Committee endorses hospitality-friendly candidates for the upcoming Pr...
07/30/2026

Maui Hotel & Lodging Association Political Action Committee endorses hospitality-friendly candidates for the upcoming Primary Election!

Marvin Moniz, for Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu seat
Kauanoe Batangan, for the Kahului seat
Derrick Cabiles, Upcountry seat
Tyson Miyake, State House District 10
Sne Patel, State Representative, District 14
Kyle Yamash*ta, State Representative, District 12

The Maui County Clerk’s Office began opening Voter Service Centers (VSCs) on July 27, for the Primary Election on Aug. 8, 2026.

A total of five Voter Service Centers will be open across Maui County:

Velma McWayne Santos Community Center, 395 Waena Street, Wailuku
Open from July 27 to Aug. 7, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (except Sunday)
Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall, 1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway, Lahaina
Open Aug. 5 to Aug. 7, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Mitchell Pau’ole Center (Conference Room), 90 Ainoa Street, Molokaʻi
Open Aug. 5 to Aug. 7, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
County of Maui Old Youth Center, 717 Fraser Avenue, Lānaʻi
Open Aug. 5 to Aug. 7, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Hāna High and Elementary School, 4111 Hāna Highway, Hāna
Open Aug. 1 ONLY, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on how to vote as a Maui County resident, visit www.mauicountyvotes.gov.

07/24/2026

On Saturday, July 18th, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) hosted the Get Out the Vote community event at Queen Kaahumanu Center. This non-partisan event gave the public an opportunity to learn about the election process and meet nineteen candidates running for office! Thirteen-thousand and seven-hundred people who walked through the center that day had the opportunity to meet with candidates from 1 – 3pm.

“Queen Kaʻahumanu Center has always been more than a shopping center – it’s a gathering place for the community,” said Kauwela Shultz, General Manager of Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. “We’re grateful to support opportunities that encourage civic engagement and help ensure our Maui residents have the information and resources they need to participate in the democratic process.”

Campaigns in attendance included (in no particular order):

Alan Lloyd, Campaign for Maui Council
Ashley Olson for West Maui
Friends of Dan Johnson
Friends of Derrick W Cabiles
Friends of Elle
Friends of Jon Yokouchi
Friends of Kauanoe Batagan
Friends of Marvin Moniz
Friends of Randy Konohia
Friends of Richard Bissen
Friends of Sne Patel
Friends of Tom Cook
Friends of Tyson Miyake
Friends of Yuki Lei Sugimura
Gary Cordery for Governor
Travis Bumanglag
Vote for Carol Lee Kamekona
Vote Sheila Walker
Vote Uncle Bobby

MHLA provided voter application pamphlets published in multiple languages, Maui Nui Empowered provided flyers with voter education and links to register for voting in Hawaii, while Queen Kaahumanu Center co-sponsored the event. Light entertainment was provided on center stage by musician Vaughn Razo and Mayor Richard Bissen surprised on lookers with an impromptu performance, accompanied by his wife’s hula.

“Elections are how Maui residents can shape the future,” says John Pele, Executive Director of MHLA. “We hope this opportunity brought awareness and interest in the political process.”

MHLA encourages residents to register for the upcoming primary election taking place August 8th online or in person. For more information on how to register or where to cast a vote, visit the Office of Elections website: https://elections.hawaii.gov/register-to-vote/

Lahaina Homecoming, a three-day gathering of community, culture and connection, will take place July 17-19, 2026, along ...
07/17/2026

Lahaina Homecoming, a three-day gathering of community, culture and connection, will take place July 17-19, 2026, along Front Street in Lahaina, the County of Maui Office of Recovery announced.

Cultural experiences, storytelling, resource sharing and community-focused programming will be part of the gathering designed to welcome people back to Lahaina, honor its rich heritage and strengthen ties among residents, families and supporters as the community continues its recovery.

Lahaina Homecoming offers a space for the community to heal together, honor what was lost and invest in what comes next. Centered on Lahaina’s people, stories, culture, and future, the gathering is dedicated to bringing community back to Lahaina.

The idea for the gathering emerged from the Maui Economic Recovery Commission’s Healing Journey Team through ongoing conversations with Lahaina families and community members. The event is intended to create opportunities for people to gather in Lahaina once again while supporting community healing and economic recovery.

Gatherings, which will be held along Front Street from Prison to Dickinson street, include:

Palengke Night, Friday, July 17, 2026, 5 to 10 p.m.
Pa‘ūpili Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Lahaina Ho‘olaule‘a, Saturday, July 18, 2026, 5 to 10 p.m.
Lahaina Homecoming Celebration, Sunday, July 19, 2026, 5 to 10 p.m. Visit Lahaina Homecoming for details.

Address

85 N Church Street
Wailuku, HI
96793

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 7:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+18082448625

Website

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