UH Shidler College of Business raises $420,000 to support Travel Industry Management students

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business’ School of Travel Industry Management held its 21st annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism gala on April 13, at the ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach on Oʻahu.

The event is the largest fundraiser in support of the Travel Industry Management School, with proceeds benefiting student scholarships.

This year’s event raised more than $420,000.

“Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism” honors individuals who have made significant and long-term contributions to Hawaiʻi’s tourism industry.

This year, the Legacy in Tourism Award was presented to Keith Vieira; Clinton Inouye was inducted into the Travel Industry Management Alumni Hall of Honor; and Alaska Airlines received the Distinguished Service Award.

Vieira received the Legacy in Tourism Award for his many contributions in elevating the college, opening pathways for diversity and for serving as a trailblazer within his industry.

Vieira is a 1979 alumnus and serves as principal of KV & Associates Hospitality Consulting, LLC. Born and raised in Hilo on the Big Island, Vieira’s long-standing career in hospitality began in 1981, holding various sales and communications leadership positions within Sheraton, eventually managing all advertising and public relations for ITT Sheraton’s Asia Pacific division portfolio, and in 1999 serving as senior vice president and director of operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Worldwide, Inc. following the acquisition of ITT Corporation.

Vieira currently serves as the chair of the Travel Industry Management School’s advisory council and he continues to participate in a variety of non-profit organizations, primarily focused on the visitor industry and education, including Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, Friends of Hawaii Charities, Good Beginnings Alliance, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network and the Ho‘okāko‘o Corporation.

Inouye was presented with the Travel Industry Managment Alumni Hall of Honor award, which recognizes his professional accomplishments and commitment to the Travel Industry Management school. Now retired, Inouye spent more than 29 years working in the information technology and hospitality fields, with large organizations such as Starwood Hotels and Sheraton.

In 2011, his lifetime love for photography blossomed into his own business, It’s Photo Time! by Clinton K. Inouye, which he currently operates. Inouye joined the Travel Industry Management Alumni Association Board in 2005 as a director and served as treasurer from 2008 to 2018.

He continues to pay it forward to the Travel Industry Management School, establishing the Clinton K. Inouye Scholarship to support undergraduate students.

Alaska Airlines was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award for the many contributions to Hawaiʻi’s tourism industry and the community at large.

Alaska’s Andy Schneider, senior vice president, and alumnus Daniel Chun, who serves as the company’s director of sales, community and public relations for Hawaiʻi, accepted the award.

Alaska Airlines has proudly served the Hawaiian Islands for more than 15 years and has been a strong supporter of local education, environment and social causes, donating over $4.7 million in cash and in-kind support to hundreds of organizations throughout the state.

The airline is strongly committed to reducing its environmental impact, being the first carrier to have a comprehensive onboard recycling program and remove many single-use plastics from their inflight service.

This year’s presenting sponsors were Marriott International and “The Sheraton Old Timers” group; contributing sponsors were Alaska Airlines; Bank of Hawaiʻi; First Hawaiian Bank; KV & Associates and Stanford Carr Development; Terri Fujii & Lawrence Rodriguez; and The Westin Maui, Trinity Investments and Oaktree Capital.

‘Hawaiʻi Business’ magazine served as the 2023 media partner.

To support the Travel Industry Management School or Shidler College, please contact Bianca Mordasini, senior director of external and alumni relations at bianca.mordasini@uhfoundation.org. 

Learn more about the event and this year’s honorees.