Maui Visitors & Convention Bureau's PR director Keli'i Brown (front row, right) headed the delegation from Maui, Moloka'i & Lana'i
Cultural Specialist Pueo Pata; Charity Texeira, Lana'i Visitors Bureau; & Julie Bicoy, Moloka'i Visitors Association
Yvonne Biegel, Honua Kai Resort; Kalani Nakoa, Kaanapali Beach Hotel; Candy Aluli, Napili Kai Beach Resort; & Kaanapali Beach Resort Association's Shelley Kekuna (seated)
Pueo Pata and Keli'i Brown entertain
It was an invitation that was hard to refuse. “The Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau invites you to find your true love for our islands of Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i.”
Vancouver’s art-inspired Listel Hotel was the venue for this Maui Nui love fest. The Maui delegation came up with an unusual presentation format, Ho'opili Wikiwiki – speed dating Maui Nui style.
Keli'i Brown, Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau's PR director, oversaw the event and acted as the “professional matchmaker.” Brown rang a hand-held bell every 5 minutes to cue participants to change seats so they could meet a new rep from one of the destinations. This gave all 15 suppliers the opportunity to give a quick overview of their product and new developments.
Vancouver was the delegation's final stop after visits to Portland and Seattle. Suppliers included tourist organizations, hotels and destination associations. Indeed, the wikiwiki (Hawaiian for get together real fast) was an innovative way to get the necessary information in a quick and efficient manner.
The biggest news of the afternoon was the acquisition of the island of Lana'i by Oracle's CEO, Larry Ellison. According to Charity Texeira of Lana'i Visitors Bureau, this calls for improvements. Ellison has plans to expand the airport's runway to accommodate larger aircraft.
In other news, Kaanapali Beach Resort Association is excited about the debut of its culinary event, Fresh, held from August 31 to September 3. The festivity provides visitors with the opportunity to sample chef's menus and to learn about local, Maui-grown produce. The wikiwiki guests also learned that more hotels have hired certified cultural specialists to provide visitors with an even more authentic Hawaiian experience.
After the intense “speed dating” session, guests helped themselves to a buffet spread which included The Listel Hotel's famous Eggs Benedict, a hit among the Hawaiian guests. Guests dined and enjoyed some special entertainment as Cultural Specialist, Pueo Pata, played the ukulele, and Keli'i Brown danced an impromptu hula.
Sigh, it's certainly hard not to fall in love here.
