Nicole Okuna

The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, is pleased to announce the promotion of Nicole Okuna to the role of General Manager of the historic hotel. Nicole most recently served as Hotel Manager of The Royal Hawaiian, where she was a driving force in elevating the Pink Palace of the Pacific's guest experiences and leading key multi-hotel initiatives across Marriott's Waikiki Collection over her four years in the role.

Nicole has 16 years of experience with Marriott and Starwood resort properties on Maui, Kauai, the Island of Hawaii and Oahu. Prior to her most recent role, she held multiple leadership roles within the company, including Resident Manager of the Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort and Spa; and Director of Sales and Marketing at Sheraton Kauai Resort and Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas. She has held a variety of sales & operations roles at Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa, Sheraton Kauai Resort, and Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. Nicole began her hospitality journey at the Kyo-ya-owned Waikiki Collection resorts through the management trainee program at The Royal Hawaiian and Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort.

Passionate about the Hawaii community, Nicole is a member of the Historic Hawaii Foundation's Board of Trustees and a Director on the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association's Board. In addition, Nicole was selected for inclusion as one of Hawaii's best and brightest leaders in Pacific Business News' "40 Under 40" Class of 2023. She has previously served on the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Travel Industry Management Alumni Association Board of Directors and co-chair of the Kauai Chapter of Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association's Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs.

Nicole holds a Master's of Science in Travel Industry Management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a B.A. in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in mathematics from Pepperdine University. Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, she is a proud graduate of Waiakea High School.