Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism - Past Honorees
 | “Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism” was initiated in 1999 to honor Dean Emeritus, Chuck Y. Gee as he retired from the School of Travel Industry Management after over thirty years of service. The School has continued the tradition of honoring a “legacy in tourism” in partnership with its Advisory and Alumni Boards. The event honors an individual who has made significant and long-term contributions to the travel industry in Hawai‘i. From 2007-2009, the School collaborated with the Hawai‘i Hospitality Hall of Fame to honor leaders (posthumously) that were influential in Hawaii’s tourism. Over the years, the event proceeds from this celebration have provided support for the School’s programs such as the establishment of the Gee Technology Learning Center at the TIM School, scholarships, teaching awards, Nā Kukui (Executive Mentor/Student Program) and graduation receptions. Since 2011, all proceeds have benefitted student scholarship awards. |
| Year | Honoree |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Mufi, Hannemann, President & CEO, Hawai'i Lodging & Tourism Association |
| 2023 | Keith Vieira, Principal, KV & Associates Hospitality Consulting, LLC |
| 2022 | Roy Yamaguchi, Chef and Founder, Roy’s Worldwide, Eating, House 1849, Humble Market, Kitchin, GOEN Dining + Bar |
| 2021 | Paul Kosasa, President & CEO, ABC Stores |
| 2019 | Vicky Cayetano, President & CEO, United Laundry Services, Inc. |
| 2018 | Jerry Gibson, Area Vice President, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort |
| 2016 | Peter Lenkov, Executive Producer Hawai'i Five-O The late Leonard Freeman, Creator |
| 2015 | Chris Tatum, Marriott International |
| 2013 | Patricia Tam, Halekūlani Corporation |
| 2012 | Ernest Nishizaki, Kyo-ya Company LLC |
| 2011 | Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian Airlines |
| 2009 | Hawai'i Hospitality Hall of Fame Honorees (multiple honorees) |
| 2008 | Hawai'i Hospitality Hall of Fame Honorees (multiple honorees) |
| 2007 | Hawai'i Hospitality Hall of Fame Honorees (multiple honorees) |
| 2006 | School of Travel Industry Management (40th Anniversary) |
| 2005 | Peter Schall, Hilton Hotels Hawai'i |
| 2004 | Dr.Richard Kelley, Outrigger Enterprises, Inc. |
| 2003 | Ambassador L.W. “Bill” Lane, Jr. and Mrs. Jean Lane, Sunset Magazine |
| 2002 | Former Governor George Ariyoshi |
| 2001 | Robert Burns, Regent International Hotels |
| 2000 | John Brogan, Sheraton Hotels |
| 1999 | Chuck Yim Gee, School of Travel Industry Management |
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is presented at the Celebrate A Legacy in Tourism Event.
| Year | Honoree |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Kyo-ya Hotels & Resorts, LP |
| 2023 | Alaska Airlines |
| 2019 | Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association |
| 2018 | Hawai'i Lodging & Tourism Association |
| 2016 | Noel Trainor |
| 2004 | Travel Weekly |
| 2003 | Club Managers of America Association - Paradise of the Pacific |
| 2002 | J. Hans Strasser |
| 2001 | Hawai'i Hotel Association |
| 2000 | Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) |
| 1999 | Peter Fithian |
| 1998 | Sea Land Service |
| 1997 | Stephen R.P. Boyle |
| 1996 | Peter Schall |
| 1995 | Manuel Woo |
| 1994 | Japan Travel Bureau, Inc. |
| 1993 | ITT Sheraton Hawai'i Japan |
| 1992 | Claire W. Engle |
| 1991 | Kahala Hilton Hotel |
| 1990 | Aloha Airlines |
| 1989 | Jean E. Rolles |
| 1988 | John C. Brogan |
| 1987 | Bernice C. Loui |
| 1986 | Robert J. Pfeiffer |
| 1985 | Gregory M.B. Tong |
| 1984 | Bill Lane, Jr. |
| 1983 | Robert H. Burns |
| 1982 | Richard T. Hashimoto |
| 1981 | Larry M.K. Tchou |
| 1980 | Kenneth F.C. Char |
Hall of Honor Alumni Inductees
Established in 1992, the School of Travel Industry Management (TIM) created the Alumni Hall of Honor to recognize graduates of the school who have distinguished themselves and brought honor to their alma mater through exemplary professional achievement, dedicated service to their communities and support for the TIM School.
| Year | Inductees |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Holden Lim |
| 2023 | Clinton Inouye |
| 2022 | Dave Evans |
| 2021 | Glenn Vergara |
| 2019 | Lee-Ann Choy |
| 2018 | Clinton K. Inouye (Alumni Distinguished Service Award) |
| 2016 | Daniel Chun |
| 2015 | Julie Arigo |
| 2013 | Kevin Iwamoto |
| 2012 | Allan Lum |
| 2011 | Joseph Toy |
| 2009 | Audrey Higuchi Alan Ong |
| 2007/2008 | Ed Wary Anthony Wong |
| 2006 | All Alumni Honorees |
| 2005 | Dean Nakasone |
| 2004 | Lois Sismar |
| 2003 | Ren Hirose |
| 2002 | Tsuyoshi Sakata |
| 2001 | Paul Yokota |
| 2000 | Paul Tang |
| 1999 | Johnson Choi Theodore "Ted" Sakai |
| 1998 | Kathy Inkinen |
| 1997 | Richard Hartman |
| 1996 | Clyde Min Joseph Pluta |
| 1995 | Tim Marsden |
| 1994 | Michael White |
| 1993 | Roberta Wong Leung |