Sean Ganhinhin, a University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business alumnus, is general manager for the Prince Waikīkī. His responsibilities include overseeing operations, sales and marketing efforts for Prince Waikīkī and Hawaiʻi Prince Golf Club. Prior to his current post, he held leadership positions at Marriott Vacations Worldwide, The Westin Kaʻanapali Ocean Resort Villas, The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. He earned his bachelor’s degree in travel industry management from the UH Mānoa School of Travel Industry Management (TIM). Shidler Business sat down with Ganhinhin for a Q&A session to learn more about his career.
Tell us about a day at the office.
“I usually get in early and spend about an hour checking emails and I try to be ‘on the floor’ as much as possible. I enjoy walking our lobby and checking in with our guest-facing teams. When VIPs arrive, I greet them. There are always meetings, especially toward the end of the year when we’re in budgeting season and planning for the upcoming year. I also conduct regular one-on-one meetings with team leaders. I want to make sure I’m aware of what’s happening and more importantly, I want my team to know that I’m always available if they need something.”
What are some of your favorite memories of Shidler?
“My favorite memory of Shidler is feeling like family with my classmates. We would gather in the courtyard to eat, study and just hang out—it felt like home. Even some of our professors would hang out in the courtyard and it was just an overall good feeling. It was like we were the only ones that existed on that campus. I also fondly recall living off the coffee cart!”
How did your experiences at Shidler prepare you for what was to come?
“As a TIM grad, I’m impressed at how the school prepares students for the hospitality industry. When I graduated from Shidler, I felt excited and prepared to enter the travel industry and I believe that Shidler sent me into the real world with a well-equipped toolkit. I gained so much knowledge and experience in and out of the classroom. The camaraderie inspired me to join the travel boards I sit on today, which include the Waikīkī Improvement Association, The Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association and The Independent Hotel Show.”
“I was eager to get out of college and start working, but when I look back now, I wish I had slowed down.” — Sean Ganhinhin
What’s your advice for current students?
“Slow down and don’t rush. I was eager to get out of college and start working, but when I look back now, I wish I had slowed down, enjoyed life more and traveled. I’ve learned through the years that it’s not about how quick you can get through life, it’s about the quality of the time you spend. When you’re young, you think life is a race. As you become wise, you realize racing through life is the last thing you want to do. Instead of rushing, take it all in and embrace every moment you’re given.”
For the entire Q&A and more stories like this, see the fall/winter 2024 edition of Shidler Business (PDF).
