Meet Desiree Vida of Dependable Hawaiian Express

Twenty-five years ago, Desiree Vida started working at Dependable Hawaiian Express (DHX), as a receptionist after graduating Maui High School. She credits her uncle, who had already been working for DHX, for introducing her to the family friendly work environment she still calls her second home. After working in every department of the transport company, she took a leave of absence before returning to the sales department of DHX. Desiree soon realized her potential in the business and took the opportunity to advance, making a career in a company she deems as her extended family.

“You got all local people here, under this building are roots,” says Desiree, now the Office Manager of DHX. “And some of these stay twelve, fifteen, or twenty plus years.”

DHX has staying power beyond its long-term staff, as it has large trucking fleets, storage real estate and is not dependent purely on air or sea transportation. However, the loss of Lahaina business affected this local-grown company. For much of DHX deliveries were concentrated in Lahaina, with hotels, restaurants, and small businesses who supplied tourists – resulting in huge revenue losses after the fires. Desiree and her team pivoted to keep business moving by expanding relationships outside of the effecting West side zones, leaning into the construction industry, and attracting outer-island clients to fill in the gaps.

While DHX is adjusting to the aftermath of the fire effects, Desiree noted how finding new workers to employ is another challenge. With great pay, steady hours, attractive full-package benefits, and even internal paid-trainings, DHX like the rest of Maui, notices a difference in the way our upcoming generations want to work. For a job that cannot transfer entirely to online, remote or AI, the traditional framework filters out many potential applicants from the 18 – 25 year old range, nowadays. But as Desiree learned through first-hand experience in this business, “When you have someone who wants to advance and takes initiative, you gotta support them through it,” just like DHX Maui did for her.

Mahalo DHX for all your team does and has done for the visitor industry, fire recovery, workforce security and all of Maui!

A hui hou!