The pandemic challenged MPI’s Hawaii-based members more than most chapter communities. Their hard work, however, has paid off. Heather Bailey, president of the MPI Aloha Chapter, shares insight on this exciting return!

The MPI Aloha Chapter is back! How’d this happen?

We were so blessed to have the dedicated support of many key individuals. After the MPI Oregon Chapter “adopted” us during the pandemic, we set goals focused on rebuilding membership in Hawaii and targets for achieving the critical numbers of members to apply for chapter reinstatement. The entire MPI Oregon Chapter board for the past few years has been so supportive, and we’ve built a long-standing bond between our chapters! We were also lucky to leverage the guidance and leadership of Stephanie Green, chapter administrator, Greg Heinze, office of the president and Tara Liaschenko, our retreat facilitator. Their positivity and encouragement helped us to keep our eyes on the prize. We ran multiple membership-drive events at reduced prices or no cost to keep the spirit of the chapter alive. This gave us the chance to meet current and potential members face to face and generate excitement about the MPI Aloha Chapter.

Are there any Aloha chapter re-launch festivities/celebrations planned?

We kicked off the new year with a celebratory pau hana on Oahu at Maui Brewing Company followed by the new Cirque du Soleil show, ‘Auana. OUTRIGGER Resorts provided sponsorship for event, as well as our meeting space the next day for our board retreat and planning. We’re already planning additional events for the year, including a membership pau hana on Hawaii Island next month. We are also bringing back our signature gala later this year.

Why is it important for the islands to have an official MPI chapter once again?

MPI provides such an opportunity for us to purposefully connect with each other—to network, to do business, to learn together. It is a wonderful way to leverage each of our social and professional networks, as well as to mentor young professionals in the industry. Having an active chapter also allows people the chance to grow professionally in various roles on the board and on committees.

What are you most looking forward to now that the Aloha Chapter has returned?

I cannot wait to look back on this year and celebrate the accomplishments of our chapter and our board. We’ve set high expectations for each other, and I’m confident that we’ll achieve our goals with the enthusiastic board we have in place. I’m really looking forward to having a gala again!

Can you share a specific challenge you and your peers encountered with re-launching the Aloha Chapter?

Keeping our current members engaged with MPI as people were getting burned out on virtual meetings and events; people really wanted the chance to meet in person.

Can you briefly share what led to the MPI Aloha Chapter being shuttered/merged with the MPI Oregon Chapter?

The COVID-19 pandemic was devastating to the hospitality and tourism industry in Hawaii. There was so much uncertainty about when we’d be able to rebound, and we lost many people not only from the industry, but also from Hawaii. Our membership numbers were dwindling, and we could no longer maintain the numbers needed to remain a chapter. Because we had such a close relationship already with Stephanie and Tara—and they were connected with Oregon (also a key market for some of our hotel members—it made sense to merge with them.

It’s odd that the Aloha Chapter would be blended with the Oregon Chapter, considering the destinations are about 2,600 miles apart and have distinct, different cultures. Are there any highlights from that brief time that you’d like to share?

Hawaii is so far apart from EVERYWHERE! While we’re quite different from each other, we shared many of the same challenges, fears and worries about what was to come. It was such an opportunity to learn more about each other as well—Hawaii loves to spread the spirit of aloha! We were able to encourage many of our members to provide packages for their gala—and it was terrific to meet folks when they came to Hawaii for the trips they won from those fundraisers! The Oregon chapter also did an amazing job with being inclusive and supportive.

Is there anything else you’d like to say about the “return of Aloha”?

A picture is worth a thousand words! All photos here, except my head shot, are courtesy Keith Uehara Photography.