MATTHEW ERICKSON – A SUCCESS STORY

WAILUKU, MAUI – Lahaina-born Matthew Erickson has been named a 2011 Alumni Honoree by the National Academy Foundation (NAF) based on his career success following graduation from the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism program in Maui.  Matthew Erickson will be one of five alumni selected from four academies throughout the United States who will be honored at NAF’s annual awards banquet on July 18 in San Francisco, California. 

The Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT) program is one of four career-themed academies operating under the NAF curriculum.  Others academies include finance, information technology and engineering.  The academies prepare students for post-secondary education and careers through a theme-based, contextualized curriculum approach. The AOHT provides public high school students with the requisite knowledge and skills for a successful career in one of the world's largest service industries through a curriculum that provides an in-depth look at all aspects of tourism and hospitality, including coursework in business, geography, hospitality, and economics. The AOHT operates as a small learning community and is located in more than 110 high schools nationwide.

The first academy in Hawaii began on Maui in the early 1990’s at Lahainaluna High School funded by a one-time donation from the Kaanapali Beach Hotel. Because of its success, Maui High School and Baldwin also joined the program in 1994 & 1995 respectively. Currently there are approximately 200 students enrolled in the AOHT program on Maui. The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association provides scholarship funding as well as administrative and program support for the AOHT.

Matthew, son of James and Evelyn Erickson of Napili, is a 1996 graduate of Lahainaluna High School’s AOHT and credits the program for instilling in him the concept of kuleana which he considers the basis for his success. According to him, “A right is a responsibility and an obligation is a privilege. It has been my privilege to have been a part of the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism; and the kuleana that came with my involvement has taken me to where I am today.”

AOHT also instilled a passion for education in Matthew. Originally, he intended to join the work-force immediately after high school. However, upon graduation, Matthew understood that it was his kuleana to strive for more and realized that post-secondary education would be critical to his success in the industry. He received his Associate of Arts in Business in 2007 from the Western International University, Phoenix, AZ.

Via his Academy, Matthew was afforded many valuable opportunities to give back to his community. In 2009, through his participation with the Lahaina Hawaiian Civic Club, he incorporated elements of his Hawaiian host culture and introducing a Resolution to the State Legislature which relayed the importance of Host culture awareness to tourism in Hawaii. The resolution passed with flying colors. To this day, Matthew continues his kuleana to contribute to the community – he is currently on many boards including Friends of Moku`ula, and the Lahainaluna High School Foundation.

Matthew also takes his responsibility of giving back to his Academy seriously. He has served on the Maui AOHT Board of Directors for many years. He also speaks regularly to Hawaii’s high school AOHT students; and contributes to the AOHT student conference & career fair each year. His motivational & inspirational speeches provide students with the necessary & valuable guidance they need to start thinking about higher education and a future career within the visitor industry.

As a leader at the Old Lahaina Luau, Matthew has been a driving force for company’s kuleana to support many community initiatives such as school drives for his alumni high school, a multitude of fundraisers for non-profits, and cultural improvement work in reserve sites which included taro patch restoration, native plantings, eradication of invasive species, etc. And these initiatives have paid off - the Old Lahaina Luau recently was a recipient of a highly coveted service award from a local Rotary Club. The company is also a six-time recipient of the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau’s “Keep it Hawaii” Award; and has won numerous `Aipono Awards.

Carol Reimann, Co-chair of the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism and Executive Director for the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association nominated Matthew.  She says, “Matthew’s involvement with the Maui AOHT has allowed him to grow and flourish into the strong, independent, philanthropic and dedicated leader -- who has made a difference in Hawaii. He has elevated the AOHT experience to a whole new level, incorporating skills learned through the Academy into his daily work routine, and he still finds time to give back to his community and Lahainaluna High School, his alma mater.  It has been a pleasure watching him grow and achieve. We expect nothing but more great things from Matt in the future.”

 

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