Maui Hotel and Lodging Announces Newly Appointed Executive Team

WAILUKU, MAUI (December 26) – The Maui Hotel and Lodging Association (MHLA) has restructured its leadership team and proudly announces its newly appointed executives, including a newly created position and newly created committees. John Pele, a former candidate for county council, has been appointed to the Executive Director position and is now a registered lobbyist for MHLA. After four months of acting as interim executive director, Naomi Cooper has been appointed to the first-ever, Deputy Director position, supporting Pele in his new role, continuing communications, and overseeing operations of the association. Angela Doran was appointed as the Manager of Events & Membership and will be coordinating the 2025 annual Maui County Charity Walk.

About John Pele

John Pele is a proud graduate of Molokai High School and attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He started his career in hospitality, becoming purchasing director, rooms director, and general manager of the Molokai Ranch before its closure in 2008. His experience in management continued as he oversaw a condominium complex before becoming an entrepreneur. Pele owned and operated Maunaloa General Store for fourteen years and later, a family restaurant in Hotel Molokai, Hiro’s Ohana Grill that is still thriving today. His business experience led to consultant services for government affairs, community outreach, and strategic planning. He has had a career of 36 years as a professional musician playing drums/percussions for Sterling and the Precisions, Na Leo O Maunaloa, Pound4Pound, Darrell Labrado, Lawaia, and Hawaiian Prime Time. He also served on the Molokai Planning Commission from 2017 to 2023. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering for Kaunoa Seniors Meals on Wheels, Maui Food Bank, and Habitat for Humanity as well as golfing, fishing, woodworking, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren.

About Naomi Cooper

Naomi Cooper attended both Seabury Hall and Baldwin High School on Maui and is an alumnus of Hawaii Pacific University. She fell into commercial talent and acting while in her teens which led to a career in marketing and business communications. Some of Cooper’s past contracts included brands like Coca-Cola, Disney Aulani, VRBO, Honda, Hilton, Fox’s North Shore, and CBS’s Magnum PI. Her professional experience spread across the industries of tourism, publishing, advertising, building development, sporting events, wedding events, wellness, wholesaling and retail, coaching, film, and entertainment production. Before being MHLA’s Deputy Director, Cooper was first contracted for the Faces of Aloha Campaign, social media and public relations before joining MHLA in 2023 as their first Communications Director. Cooper currently serves on the board of Women in Lodging, the Maui County Visitor Industry Coalition, is the Neighbor-Island Chair of the Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Program, is a mentor for Maui High School, as well as a 2025 Ka Ipu Kukui Fellow. In her free time, she enjoys time with her children, hiking and nature, barre, musicals, travel, food, wine, and art.

About Angela Doran

Angela Doran grew up in South Dakota and California, then spent six years living abroad before settling in Los Angeles. There, she gained diverse professional experience in accounting, business management, and investment banking. Her nonprofit journey began with Maui United Way, where she discovered a deep passion for Maui’s community and a commitment to fostering growth and opportunities for future generations. Angela has collaborated with over 30 Maui nonprofit organizations to support and strengthen the community. She has also volunteered with organizations like Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Week, participated in beach cleanups with Maui Ocean Center, and joined the Pacific Whale Foundation’s annual whale count. In her free time, Angela enjoys running, volunteering, and exploring the outdoors. She also runs a creative business, crafting unique jewelry and home décor from crystal, sea glass, and treasures found by the ocean.

In addition to the newly appointed positions, MHLA announces seven new advisory committees activating in 2025. During her time as interim executive director, Cooper recruited professionals internally from the membership to council the following committees: The Charity Walk Committee, Engineering & Building Committee, Golf Committee, Government Affairs Committee, Restaurant & Bars Committee, Scholarship & Workforce Development Committee, and the Transportation & Activities Committee. More information about these changes can be found on the website: mauihla.org.

Photo Caption: John Pele (courtesy photo)

Photo Caption: Naomi Cooper, Credit: Pacific Dream Photography

Photo Caption: Angela Doran (courtesy photo)

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MHLA is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to advocate for the Visitor Industry. The organization alsoprovides educational opportunities via the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, scholarships for UH Maui College students, and benefits for the community via annual events like the Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education Golf Tournament, and Kupuna Appreciation Events. Nonprofit grant applications, donation commitment forms, and information are available on the website www.mauihla.org. To contact, email [email protected].