News

TIM alumni travel back to TIM to talk travel

Alumni return to speak at TIM School’s Lane Lecture Series

This year’s Ambassador Bill Lane, Jr., and Mrs. Jean Lane Lecture Series on Sustainable Tourism brought three distinguished TIM alumni back to their alma mater to share their knowledge of hotel management. The theme for this year’s lecture on April 4 at the TIM School was, “Hotel Trends with a Focus on a Sustainable Hawai‘i.” Since its start in 2001, the Lane Lecture series has brought in lecturers from around the world to share their knowledge on various topics that focus on sustainability in the travel industry. UHAA’s TIM International, Inc., chapter helped sponsor the event.


Paul Yokota ’79, Ren Hirose ’85, Paul Tang ’71 and Christina Gabriel ’92 at TIM School's Ambassador Bill Lane, Jr., and Mrs. Jean Lane Lecture Series on Sustainable Tourism on April 4.

Christina Gabriel (BBA ’92 Mānoa), general manager of Marriott Waiohai Beach Club and Marriott Kaua‘i Lagoons, Kalanipu‘u gave a presentation on timeshares as a facet of the hotel industry. She said timeshares add value to Hawai‘i’s economy and suggested that visitors may feel a “deeper connection to the community” when staying in them. With various community and employee programs that relate to the Hawaiian culture, guests can potentially have a unique experience that is unlike that of a regular hotel.

Ren Hirose (BBA ’85 Mānoa), general manager of the W Scottsdale in Arizona, focused his presentation on branding and its connection to sustainability. During his presentation, Hirose shared how the W brand was created to focus on the lifestyles of the communities it serves. He said the key to branding is creating new products and connecting them to the community. He explained that the W brand uses art, music and artists to bring the community into the hotel, and in turn, works at being a good partner to the community.

Paul Tang (BBA ’71 Mānoa), general manager of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Hotel in Florida, also talked about branding and how effective Hawai‘i’s branding is to visitors. He said the South Pacific is a new emerging market for the U.S., and suggested that Hawai‘i focus on marketing there as well as in Asian markets. He emphasized the importance of Hawai‘i developing a “brand value” that gives its visitors an experience that is worth their money.

After the lecture a small reception was held and sponsored by TIM International alumni association in the Sunset Reference Center at the TIM School.

Nishizaki & Lum honored at TIM Legacy in Tourism Event

Ernest Nishizaki (BBA ’69 Mānoa) and Allan Lum (BBA ’73 Mānoa) were honored at the School of Travel Industry Management’s 13th annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism event on April 5 at the Sheraton Waikiki.


	Ernest Nishizaki ’69

Ernest Nishizaki is executive vice president of Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts and has 40 years of work experience in the travel industry. He has been a loyal supporter of the TIM School for many years, having served on the UH TIM Advisory Board, mentored TIM students, and shared his vast knowledge of the tourism industry as a guest speaker for various TIM classes and workshops. Nishizaki has served on the board of the Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association for many years, having served as its chair for two terms. In 2011, he was the recipient of the American Hotel and Lodging Association State Leadership Award for Hawai‘i. He is a governing member of the Tax Foundation of Hawai’i and is an active member of the UH TIM School Advisory Board, ‘Ahahui Koa Ānuenue, Hawai‘i Bowl Foundation, Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl and Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. Nishizaki was selected as the first recipient for the TIM School Hall of Honor Award by the TIM alumni association (1992-93), and in 1998, he was honored with the University of Hawai‘i Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award.


	Allan Lum ’73

Allan Lum, general manager of Wai‘alae Country Club, was inducted into the TIM Alumni Hall of Honor as a tribute to his successful career and his continued support of the TIM School and community. He served as a guest lecturer for the TIM School and has provided many internship opportunities for TIM students. He also mentors TIM students through the school’s Club Managers Association of America Student Chapter. Lum is also very active in the community and professional associations including the Hawaiian Open PGA Tour and its executive committee, Sony Open in Hawai‘i PGA Tour, Think Tank, Western Regional NCA Council, Kalani High School Mentorship Program, Board of Directors for the Hawai‘i Restaurant Association, International Food Service Executives Association and the Institute of Human Services. In 2010, Lum served as president of the CMAA Parent Chapter. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

TIM Int’l chapter hosts mentorship event at TIM


TIMI President Audrey Higuchi ’79, center, presents the chapter’s awards to TIM student Hitomi Ozaki and TIM associate professor Daniel Spencer.

The School of Travel Industry Management held its annual Na Kukui Mentorship Program at the Pacific Club on April 12. This year more than 160 TIM students and mentors attended the event, during which students had the opportunity to network with mentors from the travel industry. Each year TIM School’s Events Management and Marketing class organizes this event and coordinates everything from choosing the venue to sending out invitations, menu selections, event decor, as well as budgeting. During the event, the TIM School presented its 2012 Outstanding TIM Student Awards, which are sponsored by various companies and organizations. The TIM International, Inc., chapter sponsored two of the awards: the TIM International Award of Excellence and the TIM International Excellence in Teaching Award.