Born and raised on O‘ahu, Marissa’s Hawai’i home and multi-cultural upbringing inspire her unique voice and passion for travel.

Marissa’s mixed background–native Hawaiian, Japanese, English, Irish, German, Scottish, and Chinese–gave rise to a natural curiosity about Hawai’i and the broader world at a young age. Her interest, fueled by books, grew into a love of experiencing other cultures; she’s now visited thirty countries and counting. Marissa holds a Communications degree from the University of Southern California and a Juris Doctor from the University of Hawai’i. Her extensive travel with her husband and children has afforded Marissa firsthand experience that continues to shape her family travel expertise.

Her natural proclivity for hosting has evolved into being praised by clients for her attention to detail when planning their trips. Naturally, honeymoons across Hawai‘i’s stunning hotels and resorts are the ultimate intersections of her passion for planning travel and her expertise as a local insider. As a kanaka maoli (native Hawaiian) and kama‘aina (person born in Hawai’i), Marissa is passionate about reinvesting a part of her yearly earnings to organizations dedicated to native Hawaiian advancement and the arts in Hawai’i.

What was your most memorable travel experience?

My husband and I spent most of our honeymoon lazing in suites on two continents, first in the Park Hyatt Tokyo and then the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. We had the most amazing sushi of our lives at Sukiyabashi Jiro—it was a surreal experience—and the most delicious prix fixe meal at Pierre Gagnaire. We try to visit Paris and Tokyo every year–they never ever disappoint.

What does your perfect vacation day look like?

Sleeping in, followed by breakfast with perfectly cooked eggs and delicious coffee, a stroll through a beautiful park or museum, lunch with champagne, leisurely shopping, a nap, and finally dinner somewhere with a Michelin star.