Mānoa: Tourism leaders honored at UH Mānoa TIM Faculty annual fundraiser

University of Hawaii at Mānoa

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Paul Kosasa
Glenn Vergara
The event raised $ 180,000 and will fund student scholarships at the TIM School.

Hawaii tourism guides were virtually honored at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management (TIM School) 2021 Fundraiser “Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism” on April 29th. The event raised $ 180,000 and all proceeds will fund student scholarships at TIM School.

This year’s Legacy in Tourism Award winner is Paul Kosasa, President and CEO of ABC Stores. Glenn Vergara, Vice President and General Manager of the Waikiki Resort Hotel, received the TIM Alumni Hall of Honor award.

This year’s event was presented practically in compliance with COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. The program included special video presentations by the award winners, a performance by the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra, and comments from UH President David Lassner and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. Local entertainer Rodney Villanueva acted as the host and the media sponsor was the Honolulu Star Advertiser. The event was co-chaired by Vicky Cayetano and Larry Rodriguez.

“We are grateful to the Hawaiian travel, hospitality and business community for the support of our students.” Shidler College of Business Dean Vance Roley said. “With the shutdown of the Hawaiian tourism industry last year, the TIM School lost a unique educational environment that offered students real-world experiences, professional engagements, internships and career opportunities. Funds raised through the Legacy event will provide scholarships to promising students and help the school develop future leaders in the tourism industry. ”

Since 1999, the Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism event has drawn more than 700 guests annually to honor distinguished alumni and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their careers, the TIM School, and the tourism industry in Hawaii and around the world. This year, a special plaque will be issued at the TIM School to recognize donors to the Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism event.

A video of the event will be available on the website TIM School website on May 7th.

Legacy in Tourism Award

Kosasa has been President and CEO of ABC Stores since 1999. The ABC Stores were founded by his parents Sidney and Minnie Kosasa and got off to a humble start as Thrifty Drugs in Kaimukī. The first ABC Store store opened in Waikīkī Beach in 1964 to focus on the growing tourism industry. Since taking over as President and CEO of ABC Stores, Kosasa has built the corner shop into one of the best-known brands in Hawaii’s tourism industry.

ABC Stores are based on convenience and service and can be seen on every block in Waikīkī and on the state’s main islands. Kosasa later expanded the ABC brand to Guam, Saipan and Las Vegas, adding Island Gourmet Markets, Island Country Markets, Honolua Store (Maui), Sueoka Market (Kaua’i), Lineage Restaurant (Maui) and Basalt Restaurant ( O’ahu). The company has more than 75 locations with over 1,900 employees.

Kosasa is also president of the Kosasa Foundation, a private foundation that provides grants to nonprofit organizations and chairs the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra and the Waikiki Business Improvement District Association.

Alumni Hall of Honor Award

Vergara, BBA ’84, is Vice President and General Manager of the Waikiki Resort Hotel. Vergara began his career at the acclaimed Mauna Kea Beach Hotel as a management trainee and was later promoted to assistant manager. This opportunity led to further management opportunities at the Ritz-Carlton Mauna Lani, Executive Center Hotel, Aston Hotels, Makaha Resort & Golf Club and Outrigger Reef Waikiki.

Vergara’s hospitality management career spanned 30 years and spanned more than 22 years in managerial or general management roles. Vergara is committed to helping future generations of hospitality leaders thrive by continuing to support TIM School’s internship, scholarship and mentoring programs.

For more informations, Visit the TIM School website.