Hawaii Tourism Authority funds new position at Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is funding the newly-created position of Destination Manager at the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau. Named to fill the position is Meagan DeGaia, effective today, August 16, 2021.

DeGaia will be responsible for supervising, managing, implementing and reporting on the Maui Nui Destination Management Action Plan (DMAP), its Community Enrichment Program (CEP), as well as signature events within Maui County. She will focus on creating positive contributions benefitting quality of life for Maui Nui residents.

Among her tasks will be engaging members of the local communities and their residents to participate in amplifying regenerative tourism activities as well as managing the “hot spots” (highly visited tourist locations) on their respective islands at monthly community meetings to be held on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

“We are excited to have Meagan join our MVCB ohana,” said Sherry Duong, executive director of the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau. “As a founding member of Makoa Quest, a culturally rooted tour company providing interactive cultural experiences for Maui’s youth, Meagan has been relentless in her quest to educate and immerse visitors in our island culture to ensure that the Hawaiian culture continues to be preserved and shared for generations to come.”

“In addition to launching monthly island community meetings, Meagan will also be responsible for strengthening collaboration between visitor and resident education programs committed to the Malama Maui County Pledge in protecting the island’s natural resources to garner a sense of place.”

Prior to joining the MVCB team, DeGaia served as Makoa Quest’s president and director of, developing positive working relationships with native Hawaiian cultural practitioners to lead culturally immersive experiences for groups. With Makoa Quest, she also built relationships with and supported environmentally focused nonprofit community organizations, and forged relationships with Maui youth service organizations. DeGaia was also the media publisher for the Neighbors of Wailea and Makena and Neighbors of West Maui publications, where she partnered with local nonprofits, community organizations and residents. She currently serves on the board of Maui nonprofit organization Na Mahiai o Keanae.

“Meagan will serve an integral role as a part of our accelerated tourism management efforts, working in close liaison with the residents of Maui Nui through the DMAP implementation well underway, Community Enrichment Program and signature events,” said Caroline Anderson, HTA’s director of planning. “This new, dedicated position is a reflection of our collective commitment toward engaging with the community and putting their needs first, for a better and more sustainable future.”

The Maui Nui DMAP is a community-based initiative of HTA, in partnership with the County of Maui and MVCB, aiming to rebuild, redefine and reset the direction of tourism as determined by the residents of Maui, Molokai and Lanai over the next three years. The focus is on stabilizing, recovering and rebuilding the desired visitor industry on each island by addressing key issues surrounding tourism and mitigating visitor impacts in collaboration with lawmakers, the counties, and state and federal agencies.