“When I first started in this industry, I had the privilege of being a part of this training led by Dr. George Kanahele….and I was fascinated and captivated. The information that he shared truly resonated with me and I carried it through my entire career. And one of the things that he said was that when you say ʻaloha,ʻ you have to mean it. And if you don't mean it, then don't use it. And so I remembered that throughout my career.” ~ Christina Gabriel, Inspirational Leader and General Manager
In this episode of Inspired by Aloha, we dive into the remarkable story of Christina Gabriel, General Manager of one of Hawaiʻi’s newest lodging establishments in Waikiki. Born and raised on Oʻahu, this Pearl City native was first introduced to Hawaiʻi’s travel industry by observing her hardworking grandparents who both dedicated their lives to the hotel industry. Fueled by their legacy, she faced skepticism and challenges head-on. Despite being told she wouldn’t succeed in her college program, she persevered, climbing the ranks at major hotel chains across three Hawaiian islands and successfully inspiring others throughout her 30+ year travel industry career.
Today as a prominent general manager, Christina has not only shattered the glass ceiling in a male-dominated field, but also remains deeply committed to honoring Hawaiʻi’s indigenous people and ʻāina. By collaborating with Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, she ensures that visitors learn about Hawaii's rich history and traditions, emphasizing that the islands are more than just a tourist destination—they are a vibrant community with invaluable lessons on living with aloha.
Join the Inspired by Aloha hui as we hear her incredible journey, the wisdom she’s gained along the way, and her vision for a more culturally respectful and enriching travel experience in Hawaii.
Connect with your Inspired by Aloha (IBA) crew! We look forward to hearing from you!
Instagram: @inspiredbyaloha808
Email: inspiredbyaloha808@gmail.com
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.