Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau leader promoted to statewide position

Longtime executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, Sue Kanoho, has been promoted to managing director of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau’s island chapters throughout the state.

The Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau is a private non-profit organization contracted by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (the state of Hawaiʻi tourism agency) for marketing services in the continental U.S. Its chapters include the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, O‘ahu Visitors Bureau, Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau.

In her role, Kanoho will lead the island chapters with the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, county and state officials and departments. Kanoho will also be responsible for the Island Destination Brand Management and Marketing Services contract, including leading the development and execution of the island chapter strategy, which focuses on Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s on-island support, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s Global Marketing Team Familiarization visits, media, and travel trade education, promotion of Native Hawaiian values, places and traveling pono (travel with care).

“Sue has been with HVCB [the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau] for over 26 years as the executive director of KVB [the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau]. In her role, she has earned the trust of the island’s community by being well connected through participation in organizations and committees on Kaua‘i. While she remains in her role at KVB, she will play a pivotal role as the managing director of our island chapters,” said Tom Mullen, interim Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau president and CEO.

“She is the longest tenured of the island chapter leaders and has had the most experience working with all levels of government on tourism, economic development, resource management and emergency response and recovery,” Mullen added.

Kanoho started as the executive director of the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau in 1997 and has been charged with managing Kaua‘i as a visitor destination. In her leadership role, Kanoho’s work includes overseeing advertising, public relations, TV production, travel trade promotion and improving the Kaua‘i Destination Management Action Plan.

Prior to joining the the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau team, Kanoho was the executive director of the Kaua‘i Economic Development Board for 10 years. Kanoho is also heavily involved in many community-based organizations, including the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, Royal Coconut Coast Association, Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, Visitor Aloha Society of Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i.