UH Mānoa Travel Industry School Celebrates 60th Anniversary, Boosts Scholarships

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management is celebrating six decades of training hospitality professionals with a series of events capped by a March 31 “Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism” fundraiser at the ʻAlohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. The fundraiser is designed to expand student scholarships and support programs that feed the state’s tourism workforce, with direct implications for Kauai County residents who rely on visitor industry jobs.

Founded in 1966, the program evolved into an internationally respected school that focuses on hospitality, tourism and transportation education. Since rejoining the Shidler College of Business in 2019, the school reports increases in scholarship funding, a larger faculty, endowed fellowships, improved rankings, expanded enrollment and strong graduate placement. The school has emphasized culture-centered, sustainable tourism education as part of its mission to prepare graduates for industry roles that respect Hawaiian culture and community needs.

The March 31 event will honor Elliot Mills, CEO and managing partner of Hawaiʻi Hospitality Group, as the 2026 Legacy in Tourism honoree. Kylie Matsuda-Lum will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Honor, and ClimbHI will receive the Distinguished Service Award. Proceeds from the event are earmarked for student scholarships that can reduce financial barriers for local students seeking careers in hospitality, lodging, foodservice, guiding and transportation.

For Kauai County, scholarship growth and stronger placement rates matter beyond individual career launches. Scholarships increase access for kamaʻāina and members of limited-income households, reducing economic strain and expanding pathways into year-round employment at hotels, tour operators and related small businesses across Lihue, Poʻipū and Hanapēpē. A pipeline of trained workers helps local employers fill positions with candidates who understand culture-centered practices and sustainability principles, which supports community wellbeing and can mitigate pressures from visitor volumes.

Public health and social equity intersect with the school’s work. Stable employment and living wages in the visitor sector affect housing stability, food security and access to health services for families in Kauai County. Training that centers Hawaiian culture and sustainable operations also supports community priorities around land stewardship, public access and quality of life that influence long-term health outcomes.

The anniversary programming includes opportunities for alumni and supporters to submit memories and to contribute financially to sustain scholarships and endowed fellowships. The school maintains a giving page and an alumni memory submission portal for those who wish to donate or share recollections.

As the School of Travel Industry Management marks 60 years, the immediate outcome for Kauai residents will be expanded scholarship dollars and continued emphasis on culturally informed, sustainable workforce development. For local students and employers, that means clearer pathways into hospitality careers and a stronger local capacity to shape tourism in ways that protect community health and economic resilience.