Molonai Hola Featured Speaker at Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber

Molonai Hola, the founder and President & CEO of Pure Energy Capital, and representative from the Courtyard, Marriott will be sharing his vision for the hospitality industry as the featured speaker at the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce “Talk Story, open Mic” at 5:30 p.m., tonight, Tuesday, May 16, at the Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapū.

MNHCoC representatives say Hola exemplifies the values of the Polynesian culture: on the field as an All-American athlete, excellence in the classroom starting as student body president at his Utah high school onto obtaining multiple business and finance degrees culminating with the Owner President Management Executive Program degree from Harvard Business School in 2004.

Hola also founded, owned, operated and led several innovative companies in the renewable energy field and now the hospitality industry.

In December 2012, Hola raised $32 million to build the Courtyard, Marriott in Lāiʻe, Hawaiʻi while developing a solar project for BYU-Hawaiʻi. The hotel opened in August 2015.

“I have come to love Hawaiʻi.  It truly has been an honor getting to know the board members of the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and I am looking forward to sharing my vision for the hospitality industry, as well as meeting and hearing from members of the MNHCoC, Maui small businesses, and members of the Maui hospitality and visitor community at this month’s ‘talking Story’ Q&A,” said Hola.

“Having had the opportunity to meet with Molonai, I know everyone will find him both engaging and inspiring” said Teri Freitas Gorman, president of the MNHCoC. “A Tongan boy who graduated from Harvard Business School to become a successful executive is a story in itself, but his desire to help develop education and career opportunities for young islanders is the real story here.”

Pūpū, no-host cocktails and networking begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Maui Tropical Planation in Waikapū (Tram Station). Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. RSVP and pay in advance online at www.mnhcoc.org or call Shirley Blackburn at (808) 757-3045 to pay by phone.