KBH Hires Four New Employees in Third Quarter

Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel announced it has appointed four new hires in the third quarter across varying departments, including Gayle Miyaguchi, Hawaiian cultural resource advisor, Gladys Sim-Avergonzado, catering sales manager, Willow Longoria, sous chef, and Cheryl Black, marketing coordinator.

From L-R: Cheryl Black, marketing coordinator, Gayle Miyaguchi, Hawaiian cultural resource advisor, Gladys Sim-Avergonzado, catering sales manager, and Willow Longoria, sous chef. PC: Kaanapali Beach Hotel

“We are thrilled to announce these impressive new hires at an exciting time of growth and expansion for the hotel,” General Manager Mike White said. “At Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel, many of our employees stay with us decade after decade and we look forward to welcoming our latest new hires and to their leadership within each respective department.”

Miyaguchi, Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel’s new cultural advisor, is originally from Makawao and spent the past 22 years making hula instruments and Hawaiian crafts such as Nā Kani O Hula. She is an avid fan of the hotel’s annual Hula O Nā Keiki event which takes place every November, and says she truly feels at home at KBH. She said she looks forward to lending experience from her past roles in agriculture, growing up and living on a farm, running her own business and making hula implements to her current position within the Ho’okipa department. Most recently, Miyaguchi worked with Director of Training Poʻokela & Hoʻokipa, Dee Coyle, to introduce five new cultural activities to the hotel’s existing schedule of cultural programs for guests and visitors.

“We are fortunate to have Gayle leading the Ho’okipa Department because she brings so much knowledge about native Hawaiian plants and their uses,” Coyle said. “Her personable demeanor integrates easily with the current team so I know we have a great future ahead, sharing Hawaiian culture with our guests.”

Sim-Avergonzado, catering sales manager, has an extensive background in wedding and event planning working for Mākena Beach and Golf Resort and the Grand Wailea Resort and is well regarded for her successful collaboration with clients on their wedding day. She said she considers her clients to be ‘ohana and looks forward to planning future weddings at the hotel and helping couples start their journey through life together.

Longoria, sous chef at the hotel’s signature restaurant, The Tiki Terrace, is originally from Florida and moved to Maui just two months after graduating from high school. She honed her culinary talent working at several restaurants on Maui.

Chef Tom Muromoto, head of Food and Beverage states, “We are pleased to welcome two new members to our Culinary and Food and Beverage team. Willow offers new innovative flavors and cooking abilities to our team and Gladys, with her rich background of banquet and catering experience, brings new ideas on events, weddings, and catering to the table.”

Black, Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel’s marketing coordinator, has over 20 years of marketing and advertising experience, with a specific focus working on catalogs, print publications, and various advertising materials. In her new role, she looks forward to utilizing and expanding upon these skills to facilitate impactful digital advertising campaigns.

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