Celebrating Wāhine: Honoring 39 Extraordinary Women Who Inspire Hawai‘i

Photo: Jonathan You

HONOLULU Magazine proudly hosted the inaugural Celebrating Wāhine Awards at Mariposa at Neiman Marcus on Wednesday, Sept. 10. The event brought together community leaders, friends and supporters to recognize 39 remarkable women whose vision, creativity and leadership are shaping Hawai‘i’s future.

From business and finance to arts, culture and community service, each honoree is making an impact in her field and uplifting the people of Hawai‘i through her work. It was an evening of inspiration, connection and well-deserved celebration.

The program began with a special presentation of the 2025 Doris Duke Visionary Voice Award to Maile Meyer, the founder of Nā Mea Hawai‘i and Native Books, honoring her lifetime of contributions to culture and community. Accepting on her behalf was her daughter, Emma, in a touching moment that set the tone for the evening.

Guests enjoyed delicious pūpū from Mariposa and raised a glass to the wāhine honorees, while stories of their achievements were shared on stage. This evening would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, Shangri La and Mariposa, whose commitment to community and culture echoes the spirit of the awards.

Mahalo to everyone who joined us for this first-of-its-kind event. And most of all, mahalo to our honorees—for leading with purpose, inspiring with passion, and making Hawai‘i a stronger, more vibrant place for us all.

2025 Celebrating Wāhine Honorees

• Maenette Benham – Chancellor, UH West O‘ahu

• Dani Aiu – EVP Consumer Banking, American Savings Bank

• Kimberly Agas – General Manager, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

• Coach Laura Beeman – UH Wāhine Basketball Coach

• Jennifer Bowers – President/Owner, Pang Communications

• Katie Buck – E.A. Buck Financial Services

• Tracy Camuso – Principal, G70

• Kaleialoha Cadinha-Pua‘a – President & CEO, Cadinha & Co.

• Sara Connery (Hill) – CEO, Handcrafted Restaurants (MonkeyPod)

• Francoise Culley-Trotman – CEO, AlohaCare

• Amanda Douglas – Director, Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina

• Erin Isa Donle – General Manager, Neiman Marcus

• Stephanie England – VP & General Manager, Ka Makana Ali‘i

• Elaine Fujiwara – Chief Customer Officer, HDS

• Robin Kalohelani – SVP & COO, The Queen’s Medical Center – West O‘ahu

• Kayla Keehu-Alexander – VP, Community Impact, Aloha United Way

• Tiffany Kim – President & Executive Director, Fur-Angel Foundation

• Ambur Kiriu – Owner, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Advantage Realty

• Alana Kobayashi Pakkala – CEO, Kobayashi Group, LLC

• Jana Lam – Founder, Jana Lam Designs

• Laura Lucas – Managing Partner, Carlsmith Ball

• Ixchel López-Durant – Teacher, La Pietra

• Sherry Menor – President & CEO, Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i

• Desiree Mosiman – VP & General Manager, International Market Place

• Lisa Ontai – Vice President, YMCA of Honolulu

• JT Ojerio – Founder, Aloha de Mele

• Teri Orton – General Manager, Hawai‘i Convention Center

• Dr. Stefanie Park – Chief Medical Officer, HMSA

• Katie Pickman – General Manager, Hawai‘i News Now

• Emily Porter – COO, MacNaughton

• Amanda Pump – CEO, Child & Family Services Hawai‘i

• Monica Salter – VP Corporate Communications & Sustainability, Outrigger Resorts & Hotels

• Sydney Shibuya – Associate Program Manager for Risk Factor Control, American Heart Association

• Steffy Simms – CEO & Founder, Guava Jammies; Physics & Robotics Teacher, ‘Iolani School

• Susan Soken – Vice President of Advertising, First Hawaiian Bank

• Cora Spearman-Chang – CEO & Founder, Coradorables & Cora Spearman Hawai‘i

• Claire Tong – Director of Marketing & Communications, Hawai‘i Pacific Health

• Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu – Hawaiian community leader