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Mrs. Hawaii 2018

Mrs Hawaii 2018

Interview with Mrs. Hawaii, Shannon Daliva, proud member of the Holo Holo Charters team!

We are lucky to say that we’ve got some amazing individuals that make up our Holo Holo Charters team! A perfect example of this is our Human Resources Manager, Shannon Daliva, who for the past year has held the title of Mrs. Hawaii United States. We invite you to get to know one of the amazing people who works behind the scenes to ensure Holo Holo Charters remains one of the best places to work!

Holo: Congratulations on earning the title of Mrs. Hawaii United States! How does it feel now that your year of reign is coming to an end?
Shannon: It’s been an incredible year! But, you know, I feel like I haven’t done enough. I don’t think that it’s going to stop here, because I’m going to continue doing all I can for everyone around me. It doesn’t stop just because my crown is being passed on to the next.

Holo: Does it hurt to know you’re so beautiful?
Shannon: Oh my gosh, you know… I don’t see myself that way at all.

Holo: How do you see yourself?
Shannon: In exercise pants, a tee shirt with a flannel, some kicks on and my hair in a bun, if I’m being honest. I get self-conscious, even while holding a title, and even trying to empower those around me. I’m a real woman, and I’m sure we all feel that way sometimes.

Holo: We’ve recently launched our Holo Holo Pono Pledge. Do you feel that your title held some sort value behind that?
Shannon: Absolutely! What better backing could you have than Mrs. Hawaii who loves her island, her home state, and the people who live in it. I want to make sure that we are doing something responsible that’s going to make positive changes to the visitor industry. Considering that 80% of our islands income comes from the visitor industry, the only way to alleviate some of the issues that are happening is by bringing awareness that it’s about being responsible. I think it’s great that Holo Holo Charters is trying to educate our visitors, hopefully we can make an impact and help our visitors enjoy their time and take the aloha home with them to share with others. I really hope that it takes off, much farther than our tiny little island.

 

Holo: How has your experience been as Mrs. Hawaii United States?
Shannon: I never thought that pageantry would do so many things for me. It’s kind of forced me to recognize that in some capacity I am a role model. It might not be on a global level, but my children are looking at what I’m doing, and those in my community are as well. Through this process I’ve gained more confidence, I pushed myself a bit more and to go for things that I might not have in the past. It has allowed me to want more, and I have gained a different respect for the women that participate in this pageantry life because it takes so much. There’s so much self-reflection when you get into something like this. I know that I have to evolve, and continue to work on myself. It brings everything to a transparent level, everything about you and what you stand behind and what you want to strive for. It makes you think about taking your passions and life to the next level. It has helped me grow in every aspect of my life.

Holo: What will you take away from your title experience and carry with you into the future?
Shannon: Don’t stay stagnant. Allow yourself to be uncomfortable…all the time, because if you are uncomfortable that means that you’re growing in whatever it may be. Always be kind, no matter what the situation may be, regardless of who you are or what you are doing. I have it in my mind that it doesn’t matter if that person is a janitor or the President of the United States, they should all be treated the same. Don’t put yourself above anyone else because you never know what that person is going through, or has gone through to put them where they are today. I carry those reminders with me.

Mrs Hawaii 2018

Holo: What has meant the most to you about being Mrs. Hawaii?
Shannon: My girls, and my husband to be honest. They’ve been with me every step of the way, and I know the trials, tribulations and the sacrifices we’ve all gone through together. That really brings me joy!

Holo: For those who aren’t familiar with Holo Holo Charters, what do you feel this company stands for?
Shannon: Family. Each of you are my family, my friends, my support system! You’re my backbone for so many things. I feel like life-changing stuff happens here with all of you.

Holo: How long have you been with Holo Holo Charters?
Shannon: I started working here in 2002. I did step away for about 5 months, and then came right back. During my hiatus I was still out there spreading the word of all that we do. It was home still for me, even when I was gone.

Holo: During your time here at Holo Holo Charters how many rolls have you taken on?
Shannon: I started off in the Reservations Department, then I moved to Reservations Manager, I’ve been the Retail Manager, Sales & Marketing, Group Sales, and now I am Human Resources Manager.  I am there to support the team in any and every way.

Holo: What impact has Holo Holo Charter had on your life?
Shannon: Probably one of the biggest impacts that’s recent and in the forefront of my mind was when we had a restructure. It forced me to work on my communication skills that I didn’t know needed to be worked on before that. Those skills have helped me here, but also with my personal relationships. Kevin (owner of Holo Holo Charters) and the company have always been great at allowing us to find what makes us happy, and developing our own goals within the company, so extreme personal growth, I would say is the biggest impact.

Holo: How has your title impacted your approach here at Holo Holo Charters?
Shannon: Never say never, to anything…If there’s a will there’s a way. I keep on pushing myself, until my battery needs extreme charging. I want to make sure that all of our people are happy, taken care of, and have satisfaction. I want to be an outlet for everyone too, for them to be able to come to me and talk to me no matter who they are. I don’t want anybody to ever feel like I’m not a resource for them.

Holo: What has been your favorite part of your pageant experience?
Shannon: The interview portion was the hardest part. Going in you know that in four minutes time you want someone to get to know you and what you are about. That’s the part of pageantry that I appreciated the most, because it really forced me to get to know me. Because I ran for this position twice, I knew that I needed to shine my light a little bit brighter and show the real me.

Holo: What do you feel that your primary role has been within your community?
Shannon: I was able to participate in the Pineapple Project a few months ago, which was all about empowering young girls, and recently Holo Holo Charters hosted a keiki whale watch day of tours. I saw some familiar faces and was able to re-connect with them again. It was powerful because I could feel that I made a difference in them, and I can feel the difference they made within me!

Holo: We are so happy to have you here doing all that you do!
Shannon: I love my Holo Holo Charters ‘Ohana!

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