‘Mayor of Wailea’ to Retire

Maynard Torchiana. Courtesy photo.

After nearly three decades of helping to shape Wailea as the esteemed destination it is now, Maynard Torchiana, executive vice president and managing director of Destination Residences Hawai‘i, part of Destination Hotels, will retire at the end of the year.

Nicknamed the “Mayor of Wailea,” Torchiana is a hospitality veteran who has been instrumental in supporting and growing Maui’s tourism industry since the late 1980s.

Torchiana is “passing his torch” to Ben Beaudoin who was recently promoted to vice president and managing director. Torchiana hired Beaudoin in 2008 and has mentored him in all facets of the business and industry.

“Maynard’s contribution to Maui’s hospitality industry and all its positive results is simply impossible to measure,” said Terryl Vencl, executive director of the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau. “He is a man of strong conviction and integrity whose incredible leadership skills has nurtured tourism for decades.

“As a colleague, he was a faithful and reliable ally who will be sorely missed. But as a friend, I know he’s truly earned retirement. I wish him all the very best and order him to go have some fun!”

Torchiana was one of the original general managers in Wailea determined to make Maui the top destination in the world. He was part of former Gov. Linda Lingle’s tourism delegation, traveling extensively on behalf of Maui, promoting the island to bring additional flights, and worked with international countries to create visa waiver programs.

He also served on the boards of the Maui Visitors Bureau and Maui Hotel & Lodging Association.

In addition to stimulating business for the island, Torchiana played a critical role in developing Wailea as luxury destination. As a respected board member of the Wailea Community Association, he helped develop the Wailea Resort Association to market Wailea as a premier destination.

He was also a critical force in cultivating the relationships for several programs that would attract and enhance resident and visitors’ experiences, including the Wailea Magazine, the Maui Film Festival, Wendy’s Championship Skins Game and more.

“Maynard’s influence is all over Wailea,” said Bud Pikrone, general manager of the Wailea Community Association. “Because he has been a part of Wailea for so long, his knowledge of the resort community’s history, relationships and politics of the industry is valuable. He’s become an important conscience for our destination, not just Wailea but Maui as a whole.”

Torchiana served as the general manager for Destination Residences Hawai‘i for almost 30 years. In an industry where general managers come-and-go, Torchiana has been steady leader. He provided a sense of leadership, security, autonomy and created a sense of ‘ohana for its employees, guests, owners and business associates.

Torchiana was already a hospitality veteran before making his mark on Maui. In 1987, while working for Destination Hotels, he was trusted to launch the Destination brand on the island and manage a collection of Wailea condos under then named Vacation Resorts.

Today, Destination Residences Hawai’i has grown from dozens of condos to a premium collection of nearly 300 vacation homes in six beachfront and two golf-front resorts exclusively in the luxury destinations of Wailea and Mākena.

Torchiana plans to travel but intends to stay on Maui. He also plans to continue being an ambassador for Maui, unofficially, and will continue to supply input to make sure Maui and Wailea stay on top of travelers’ destination list.

According to Pikrone, “We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

For more information about Destination Residences Hawai’i, call 1-800-367-5246 toll-free or visit www.destinationresidenceshawaii.com.