Five-Star, Five-Diamond Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea announces the appointment of Konrad Gstrein as Regional Vice President and General Manager, marking a homecoming for the hospitality leader who launched his Four Seasons career at the oceanfront resort in 2001.
Wailea Beach Resort, Marriott Maui announces the appointment of Amanda Lindquist as director of culinary experiences & liquid libations. This strategic selection underscores an ongoing commitment to delivering restaurant-caliber, regionally inspired cuisine that honors Hawai'i's bounty.
OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group today announced the appointment of Jason Takaki as General Manager of Napili Shores Maui by OUTRIGGER.
OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group today announced the appointment of Ryan Kelly as the new General Manager of OUTRIGGER Honua Kai Resort & Spa. Bringing over 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Kelly's leadership and industry expertise will be instrumental in elevating the guest experience and operational excellence at the family-friendly resort on Maui's famed Kā'anapali North Beach.
Highgate, a leading real estate and hospitality management company, has appointed Nicholas Kuhns as General Manager of Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows. In his new role, Kuhns will be responsible for overseeing all operations, ensuring that the historic property continues to offer unparalleled experiences to guests while maintaining its legacy on the world-renowned Ka'anapali Beach.
With over 25-years of hospitality leadership experience, MaryAnn Blanchard comes to Royal Lahaina from Montage Kapalua Bay, where she served as director of meetings and events. Before her tenure there, Blanchard successfully executed numerous high-profile corporate events and weddings at Sugarman Estate in Makena as the property's caretaker. Prior, she spent nearly a decade in Wailea as General Manager at Mala Restaurant, Wailea, and Senior Catering Manager at Grand Wailea. Throughout her career, Blanchard has planned more than 2,800 weddings and events and has received numerous public recognitions for her work in the luxury market. As Blanchard assumes the role of Director of Sales at Royal Lahaina, she brings extensive hospitality experience, a profound appreciation for the island's rich cultural heritage, and a passion for crafting exceptional guest experiences.
Yvette Kitagawa is the heart and soul of Royal Lahaina's history of generational hospitality, having spent her childhood growing up at the iconic resort and devoting 27 years of her career to leading operations from the front desk, room reservations, sales, and Complex Area Director of Rooms, and most recently was appointed Hotel Manager. Her father, Baye Balmores, led as the hotel's beloved Executive Sous Chef in the 1970s, and her grandmother, Emily Kaniho, was a retired baker at the renowned resort. At the young age of 8, Kitagawa would string fresh plumeria lei for the ohana (family) to wear as they went to work, and to this day, she shares her gracious and generous culture with guests and associates every day. With a heart of aloha, she is an acclaimed guest speaker at the Maui Community College Hospitality School, preparing the next generation of industry leaders. Kitagawa was awarded the '2024 Leadership Award' by the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce.
Edward C. Braunlich brings nearly four decades of domestic and international hotel and resort experience to his new role with Royal Lahaina, where he will be tasked with overseeing all operations for the iconic property. Drawing on an impressive 25-year tenure with Hyatt Regency Chicago and Hyatt Whitney, eight years with Ritz-Carlton, Braunlich moved to Hawaii Island in 1989 and immersed himself into the island's revered culture and hospitality with aloha, helming several premier resorts across the state. One of his first hotel roles in the industry was at Hyatt Regency Waikoloa (now Hilton Waikoloa Village), Hyatt Regency Waikiki, The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, and most recently, he served as General Manager of Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua. During his illustrious career, Braunlich has led several management task forces, opened 11 hotels, including the 300-room Gingko Standard Hotel in Ybin, China, where he served as General Manager.
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali is pleased to welcome Joshua Hargrove as general manager of the property. Hargrove rejoins the Marriott family in his new post and brings more than 17 years of exceptional hospitality leadership experience, primarily with Marriott brands on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island.
Derrin Abac has joined Hotel Wailea, Hawaii's only Relais and Châteaux property, as Director of Food and Beverage to lead the resort-wide culinary team including The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, the property's acclaimed signature restaurant, and Birdcage Bar, an open-air lounge concept with dramatic island views. Continuing Hotel Wailea's tradition of supporting local talent in the state of Hawaii, Derrin is a fourth-generation Maui resident with an esteemed background having worked at Wolfgang Puck's Spago at Four Seasons Resort Maui and earned his Advanced Sommelier accreditation from the Court of Master Sommeliers. With Derrin at the helm, Hotel Wailea's distinguished food and beverage program will continue its impressive trajectory as one of Hawaii's most sought-after culinary and event destinations.
Montage Kapalua Bay has appointed Nicholas Kuhns as resort manager of the 24-acre cliffside resort. Bringing with him 21 years of hospitality experience at luxury hotels and resorts, Kuhns is responsible for day-to-day operations, including oversight of rooms, food and beverage, spa, and security, as well as directing and implementing the resort's service and management philosophy.
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort - an iconic resort nestled on 40 acres of lush, tropical gardens fronting Maui's Wailea Beach - is pleased to announce the promotion of seasoned hospitality leader Jillian Stevens to the role of Director of Meetings and Special Events. Stevens will oversee the strategic business planning for the Meetings and Events department at the resort.
Bryan McMahon has joined Hawaii's only Relais and Châteaux property, Hotel Wailea, as Executive Chef. Fresh off a decade long tenure with Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group and most recently at SPAGO Maui at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, McMahon oversees Hotel Wailea's culinary program, including the property's acclaimed signature dining venue The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, the open-air lounge concept Birdcage Bar, relaxed poolside spot The Cabanas and the beloved Hotel Wailea Cooking School. Since its inception, Hotel Wailea has been committed to fostering Hawaii's up-and-coming culinary talent. With the appointment of Chef McMahon, the tradition continues, granting McMahon his first Executive Chef position.
Montage Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Matt Bailey as general manager of Montage Kapalua Bay. With over four decades of hotel industry experience -more than 20 years of which is in Hawaii alone - Bailey is responsible for all Kapalua Bay beachfront resort's daily operations.
Arriving to Maui via his most recent post as General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Bromley has served a 12-year tenure with the luxury hospitality brand, and his experience spans the globe.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa announces the appointment of Klara Crocco as its new director of marketing and communications. Crocco brings robust experience in public relations and marketing following tenures in both the hospitality and consumer product industries. Prior to joining Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Crocco most recently served as the complex director of public relations at The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas and The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas in Lahaina, Hawaii.
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa announced the appointment of Tracy Stoltz as the property’s Hotel Manager at the 759-room beachfront resort in Kāʻanapali Beach, Maui.Stoltz’s career as a hotel executive in the hospitality industry spans over two decades, with diverse expertise in management of boutique luxury properties in the Caribbean to large scale resorts in Colorado and Hawaiʻi.
A 25-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Samantha Spurgeon joins Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort as Director of Sales and Marketing. In her new role, Spurgeon is responsible for overseeing business, sales and marketing strategies and efforts to generate maximum revenue through room bookings, meetings, weddings and group events.
Ka’anapali Beach Hotel Director of Sales and Marketing, John White, brings a wealth of management experience to Hawaii’s Most Hawaiian Hotel. In this current role, John spearheads all global sales and marketing efforts for Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, its’ sister property, The Plantation Inn and various food and beverage outlets.
James Palank joins Montage Kapalua Bay from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where he was most recently the Director of Sales & Marketing for both The Westin Maui Resort and Spa, plus The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas within The Ka’anapali Resort.