Foundational Technical Assistance Workshop: Kauaʻi County

Speaker Lineup

• More details about Brandon Fairchild, PhD., Ward Research & Solutions Pacific

  Brandon Fairchild, PhD., Ward Research & Solutions Pacific

  Hānau to Ohio and home in Hawaiʻi, Brandon serves as Program Manager for the Foundational Technical Assistance (FTA) program. This role aligns with much of Brandon's work in tourism, which focuses on directing greater resources from Hawaiʻi's largest economic driver into the regeneration of ʻāina and kaiāulu by bridging the gap between industry and community. In addition to FTA, Brandon was the lead researcher and author of HTA's 2026-2028 Destination Management Action Plans, manages HTA's Community Tourism Collaborative (CTC) programs, and has conducted research in regenerative tourism for Kamehameha Schools. He lives in Salt Lake, Oʻahu with his husband and holds a PhD in Sociology from Temple University in Philadelphia. His dissertation research focused on community, healing, and resilience with Puʻuhonua ʻo Waiʻanae houseless village led by the late Aunty Twinkle Borge. He aliʻi ka ʻāina; he kauwā ke kanaka.

  • Brandon Fairchild, PhD., Ward Research & Solutions Pacific's linkedin
• More details about Carmela Resuma, Kilohana x Hawaiian Council

  Carmela Resuma, Kilohana x Hawaiian Council

  A daughter of immigrants from the Philippines and a malihini to Hawaiʻi, Carmela has been privileged to serve as a volunteer and board member for various ʻāina-based and NHOs in Hawaiʻi and throughout the globe. In her current role with Kilohana x Hawaiian Council, she leads programs that engage tourism a force for good in the community. She oversees initiatives like ʻUmeke, which reinvests millions of dollars into cultural preservation, ʻāina stewardship, and community programs, as well as Qurator, Hawaiʻi's official mark of responsible tourism. She also serves on the Governor’s Green Fee Advisory Council. Outside of her formal roles, Carmela can often be found removing invasive grass or fawning over native plants, especially her current favorite: ʻākulikuli. Witnessing the transformation of the Kaloko Inlet on the Kaʻiwi coast of Oʻahu back to a native ecosystem has taught her about the immense power that comes when community and ʻāina lead the path forward.

• More details about Lindsay Sanborn, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority

  Lindsay Sanborn, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority

  Born and raised in Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu, Lindsay is a passionate and compassionate advocate for regenerative tourism and destination stewardship in Hawaiʻi. Through her work with the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, she oversees both the Technical Assistance & Capacity Building (TACB) and Workforce Development programs, helping strengthen the people, organizations, and partnerships that contribute to more resilient visitor economies across the pae ʻāina. Lindsay is also heavily involved with HTA's Community Partnership Programs, supporting grant and event support initiatives for community, industry, and government partners that reflect Hawaiʻi's unique places, cultures, and values. Known for her collaborative spirit and unwavering encouragement of others, Lindsay is deeply committed to helping individuals and organizations grow in ways that create lasting benefits for ʻāina, kamaʻāina, and visitors.

• More details about Rebecca J. ʻI. Soon, Ward Research & Solutions Pacific

  Rebecca J. ʻI. Soon, Ward Research & Solutions Pacific

  With ancestral roots connecting back to Waiheʻe, Maui, Massachusetts, the Azores, East Asia, and throughout Europe, Becky was born and raised on Oʻahu. Across her prolific career in housing, homelessness, civil rights, immigration, health access, environmental protection, small business advocacy, and community-based planning, she focuses on systems change rooted firmly in improving community well-being. An attorney, entrepreneur, and aspiring mahiʻai now living in Hilo, she brings a deep ability to translate information, data, and ʻike across sectors, build bridges, and move complex ideas toward practical action in service of Native Hawaiian communities and more just, place-rooted futures for Hawaiʻi nei.

• More details about Samira Siale, Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau (Day 1 Panelist)

  Samira Siale, Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau (Day 1 Panelist)

  Samira Siale serves as Island Director for the Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau (KVB), part of the Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB). In this role, she works at the intersection of tourism, community stewardship, government relations, and industry collaboration. Samira is committed to ensuring that tourism strengthens Kauaʻi’s economy while remaining responsive to the needs, values, and well-being of its residents. Before joining KVB, Samira served as Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA) – Kauaʻi Chapter, helping guide the organization through the post-pandemic recovery. During her tenure, she achieved unprecedented membership growth, increased sponsorship support, and strengthened member engagement through industry events and programs. She also led Kauaʻi’s Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, achieving record-breaking fundraising results year after year and raising the highest amount per capita among the islands. These efforts benefited more than 50 Kauaʻi nonprofit organizations annually. Through this work, Samira developed strong relationships with hospitality leaders, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, educators, and community partners. Her hospitality and tourism experience also includes leadership roles with Enterprise Holdings and Hertz Rent-A-Car on Kauaʻi, where she managed resort and corporate partnerships, local branch operations, sales, workforce development, and customer service. Earlier in her career, she served as Team and Marketing Director for a top-producing RE/MAX real estate team in Vancouver, Canada. Before moving to Kauaʻi, she was recognized among the top 100 real estate agents in Western Canada based on completed sales volume. Her work also included collaborating with local officials, planning departments, and developers on rezoning efforts to address housing shortages. Samira serves as Board President of the Mākaʻiwa Initiative, supporting the development of the East Kauaʻi Mobility Hub and other transportation solutions designed to benefit residents, employees, and visitors along Kauaʻi’s Coconut Coast. This area was identified as a “hot spot” in Kauaʻi’s Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP). She also serves on the board of the HLTA – Kauaʻi Chapter, the Green Fee Advisory Committee, and the Kauaʻi Chamber of Commerce’s Public Policy Committee. She is passionate about bringing people together, developing meaningful partnerships, creating opportunities for the next generation, and using tourism as a force for positive community impact. Above all, Samira is guided by her deep love for Kauaʻi and her personal commitment to serving the island community she is proud to call home.

• More details about Additional speaker announcements coming soon.

  Additional speaker announcements coming soon.