At Hawaiian Host Group, the Hoʻokipa Award honors team members who bring the spirit of Hawaiʻi to life by exemplifying what it means to be true Hosts of Hawaiʻi. Hoʻokipa, meaning “hospitality,” represents the generous act of creating a welcoming and caring experience for others. Each quarter, we celebrate individuals who go above and beyond to support our mission, uplift our team, and strengthen our community. While many are nominated, only a select few earn the prestigious HHG Hoʻokipa Award.
We are excited to celebrate Kamalei Grace, Executive Assistant, Office Manager & Government Relations, as our Hoʻokipa Award winner for Q4 2024! Kamalei’s unwavering dedication and leadership were instrumental in ensuring smooth office operations amid an unexpected facilities issue. From working over Labor Day weekend to safeguard inventory to coordinating temporary workspaces so impacted teams could continue working seamlessly, all while providing critical support to our Executive Leadership Team—her efforts exemplified the true meaning of Hoʻokipa.
While her initiative this past quarter was impressive, going above and beyond is simply who Kamalei is. Her positivity, willingness to move mountains for the team, and genuine kindness makes her an invaluable part of the HHG team.
When asked about her definition of excellence, Kamalei shared, “Excellence isn’t about being perfect—it’s about how you show up each day. It’s tackling challenges with the right attitude and figuring out how to keep moving forward. Obstacles are just part of the journey, and excellence is all about staying committed until the job is done.”
She continued, “It also takes courage—the kind that pushes you to question the usual way of doing things, to take risks, and to be okay with the possibility of failure. When mistakes happen, it’s about owning them, learning from them, and moving forward.” Kamalei stressed that excellence is never a solo effort. “True success is built on collaboration, trust, and consistent effort. It’s about showing up, not just for yourself, but for others as well.”
Congratulations to Kamalei, our Q4 2024 Hoʻokipa Award winner, for her commitment, warmth, and the invaluable contributions she brings to our team every day. Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate the remarkable individuals who make Hawaiian Host Group a true Host of Hawai‘i.
