President of Hawaiian Host Group appointed to serve on Board of Governors for East-West Center Corp.

Ed Schultz, President & CEO of Hawaiian Host Group, was appointed to the Board of Governors for the East-West Center Corporation by Gov. Josh Green, effective July 1, 2024. Schultz’s leadership as CEO of Hawai‘i’s largest agriculture to consumer product company, years of Asia/US cross border business experience, and community involvement, will allow him to effectively serve and perpetuate the East-West Center’s mission of promoting better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific, according to the announcement.

Schultz has been conducting business in Asia since 2001. Currently, Schultz is the President & CEO of HHG, the world’s leading branded macadamia company, with over 400 employees in Honolulu, Hilo, Kona, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. Since 2018, Schultz led and recruited leadership from various backgrounds to build a strong team of both global and local talent, executed a recapitalization of HHG during the height of the COVID pandemic, and developed a new global brand strategy for Mauna Loa and Hawaiian Host.

HHG’s impact stretches to Asia and the Pacific, with an office in Tokyo, Japan and previously an office in Singapore until the COVID pandemic hit. Today, HHG sells products in over 10 countries in Asia, has a wholly owned subsidiary in Japan, and is a proud sponsor of the US-Japan Council. The US-Japan Council develops and connects global leaders to create a stronger US-Japan relationship. The members of the organization believe people-to-people relationships are a powerful way to bring together leaders in the United States and Japan to address and create solutions to mutual concerns.

Prior to HHG, Schultz served as President and owner of Honolulu Coffee, one of the world’s only “Farm to Cup” coffee company. Under Schultz’s leadership, Honolulu Coffee grew from five stores in 2008 to serving customers at more than 30 stores globally in Hawai‘i, Japan, Vancouver (Canada), and Guam. Schultz has also been a keynote speaker at YPO events in Japan, Korea and Shanghai.   

“I am honored to serve as a board member for the East-West Center’s Board of Governors and contribute to the organization’s mission,” said Schultz. “Together, we will be able to develop understanding on critical issues of common concern between the United States, Asia, and the Pacific.”

Schultz is also an active member of the Hawai‘i community and has served as Chairman of the Hawai‘i Chapter of Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Hawaii State Junior Golf Association (1^st Tee Hawaii) as well as is on the board of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of Tradewind Capital Group, Hawai‘i’s largest family office/private equity investment firm.  Furthermore, Schultz has served as a guest lecturer at University of Southern California (USC) Marshall School of Business, USC Annenberg School of Communications, Chaminade University Hogan Entrepreneurial Program, and University of Hawaiʻi Shidler School of Business.