Cultural sensitivity is not something David Murdock of Castle & Cooke Inc. is said to have had much of for Lanai during his ownership of Hawaii’s sixth-largest island. But Lanai’s new owner, Larry Ellison, appears to be taking a different tack.
Ellison’s company Lanai Resorts LLC announced Tuesday the hiring of six executives to help manage the island, and one of those hires is cultural historian Kepa Maly.
Maly is executive director of the Lana‘i Culture & Heritage Center, a nonprofit museum and stewardship organization he helped establish with Lanai residents.
Lanai Resorts said Maly will serve as vice president of culture and historic preservation to help create a plan for the island "that honors the rich cultural legacy of Lanai and ensures sustainable growth opportunities that will be respectful of the island, its history and its people."
Maly will share his knowledge of Lanai with staff, residents and resort guests while also supervising activities related to archaeological and cultural surveys, the company said.
Maly said the job was an opportunity of a lifetime to help better care for the island. "It’s no longer going to be banging my head against the wall," he said. "It’s like a whole new era."
Lanai resident and photographer Robin Kaye called Maly’s hiring a wonderful sign that Lanai Resorts will respect the culture and history of a community steeped in plantation agriculture and Hawaiian history.
"David Murdock didn’t (care) about that," Kaye said.
Maly grew up in a Hawaiian family, graduated from Lanai High & Elementary School and is regarded as an expert on Lanai’s history. "He has his heart and soul connected to this island," Kaye said.
Maly will continue to serve as the culture and heritage center’s executive director, though he said the organization is trying to broaden its stewardship.
The other hires are for positions including development, finance, human resources and government affairs.
Arlan Chun is vice president of development and construction. He was formerly regional development director for OliverMcMillan, a firm that developed the Pacifica Honolulu condominium tower in Kakaako. He also directed residential and amenity development at the Kukui‘ula residential resort on Kauai.
Lesley Kaneshiro is vice president of finance. She handled financial operations during Lanai’s ownership transition, and prior to that served in various capacities at Island Air, including chief executive officer and chief financial officer.
Kimberly Miyazawa Frank is vice president of human resources and community development. She most recently was chief operating officer of the YWCA of Oahu, and before that worked for global management consulting firms.
Lynn McCrory is vice president of government affairs. She was part-owner and president of PAHIO Development Inc. overseeing various real estate projects on Kauai and managing time-share properties through PAHIO Resorts Inc.
Suzanne Yamada is executive assistant and office manager. She performed a similar role with Castle & Cooke and most recently was executive administrative assistant to ‘Iolani School’s headmaster.
Ellison, the billionaire co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corp., acquired 97 percent of Lanai from Murdock in June. In December he hired Lanai native Kurt Matsumoto to lead Lanai Resorts.
Last month, Matsumoto outlined plans that include developing a new oceanfront hotel, a second airport runway and a desalinization plant. The plan also aims to re-establish commercial farming, attract a university research center and open new health care and hospice care facilities.
