Exploring CSR in Incentive Travel: Case Study Examples with Meet Hawaiʻi

Kainoa is currently the Senior Director, Brand for the Honolulu-based Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau. He has worked in Hawai‘i’s visitor industry for 20 years in various capacities in sales and marketing, integrating the importance of the Hawaiian culture.

He has served and continues to serve on many community and nonprofit boards; The Friends of ‘Iolani Palace, Judiciary History Center, the Hawai‘i State Art Museum, and the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association to name a few.

He is also an active member and officer of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, and serves as Chair of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission representing the Order.

Co-authoring ISLAND WISDOM with Annie Daly was truly a labor of love. They hope you find the traditional, native wisdom helpful in your modern lives.

Kainoa’s favorite day of the week is Sunday morning family time at Sandy Beach with his sweetheart, Leilani and their little girl, Nanea.

Frank Robinson, considered a “local” in Hawaii, has been in the luxury event and destination management business for over 35 years, 23 of them in Hawaii. Working for several luxury hotel and resort companies such as Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons, and Mandarin Oriental, in every aspect of the events arena, led to him founding and directing Island Events, a luxury focused DMC in 2009. 

In 2021, in response to the changes brought about by the global pandemic to the Hawaiian events industry, Frank formed the event production company, Ulu Creative. 

He’s known by his teammates, colleagues, and clients as the creative force behind many of the high-end, distinctive incentive programs that happen throughout the Hawaiian islands. Frank’s ability to listen and desire to understand allows him to fully collaborate with his clients and team. His experience, insight, and creativity, empower him to deliver strategic and impactful luxury experiences.   

Frank is a member of SITE, MPI, ADMEI, HVCB, and volunteers often for Hawaii-based nonprofits and charities. When not at work, he lives on Maui with his husband and three puppies. He loves to cook, throw dinner parties, and take long walks on the beach. 

Lauren grew up in Lahaina, Maui, graduated from Lahainaluna High School and Oregon State University. She spent six years between Oregon and Southern California before she was recruited back home to Hawai’i where she worked for almost a decade at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows. At Mauna Lani she worked in wedding, catering, leisure and group sales before joining a local Hawai’i DMC. After six and a half years, she decided to join Whitney to make their dream of being successful business owners a reality. Lauren married a Kona boy and together, she and Leabert are proud parents of three energetic boys – Layne, Layden and Layke. In her free time, she loves to join her family at the beach for a day of fishing, visiting family on Maui and Oahu, practice cooking recipes, taking photos and sharing her love of hula with friends and family. In all of her extra free time, she also is passionate about supporting her community by serving on the Waikoloa Dry Forest volunteer committee, West Hawai’i Explorations Academy Governing Board and volunteers for the MPI Oregon/Aloha Chapter (she is the former MPI Aloha Chapter President).

Originally from New York, Lauren discovered her talent for creating extraordinary moments early in her career. Her background includes roles in food and beverage, operations, event planning, and sales. Each step has deepened her understanding of destination management. Lauren relocated to Hawai'i in the early 2000s to immerse herself in the vibrant hospitality industry. She has held key positions at the Blue Note Jazz Club, Outrigger Hotels, and MC&A. Her wealth of knowledge, creative vision, and commitment to excellence elevate the exceptional experiences she delivers to all of PRA Hawai'i's clients and guests.