GM Kate Zolezzi to Retire from Maui Ocean Center

Kate Zolezzi. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Ocean Center, The Hawaiian Aquarium, announced today that General Manager Kate Zolezzi will retire at the end of the year.

Zolezzi’s decision to retire will bring to a close her 13-plus year appointment with the company.

Zolezzi has been MOC’s general manager since June 2003. She joined MOC with over 20 years of experience in marketing, advertising and media.

While at MOC, she was responsible for all aspects of daily operation.

During her time at MOC, the aquarium garnered numerous awards—“Leader in Responsible Tourism” Top 100 Blue List, Islands Magazine; “Top-Rated Attraction in Hawai‘i and 50 Top-Rated Attractions in the US” by Zagat Survey, US Family Travel Guide; “Top 25 Best Aquariums in the US” by TripAdvisor for the past two years; and was most recently inducted into the “Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame” by TripAdvisor.

“It’s difficult to part ways with the aquarium after so many years, but I’m excited to take on new adventures in my personal life,” said Zolezzi. “I plan to travel and to spend time here in Maui as well as in the Pacific Northwest.”

Zolezzi will continue her employment with MOC and Coral World International through Dec. 31, 2015. Beginning in 2016, she will transition into consultancy project work for MOC and CWI.

Tapani Vuori, currently MOC’s retail and front gate director, will assume the role of interim general manager effective Sept. 1, 2015, until a permanent replacement for Zolezzi is selected.

For more information, call (808 ) 270-7000, send an email or go online.

Maui Ocean Center is located at 192 Mā‘alaea Road in Mā‘alaea.