Noel Trainor

Belfast-born Noel Trainor has been in the hotel industry for 35 years, working with four- and five-star properties in Europe, Bermuda and Hawaii where he now lives and holds the title of Honorary Irish Consul.

Trainor has headed up some of Hawaii’s biggest not for profits while running his own tourism consultancy, Trainor Consulting. He worked for Hilton, joining the hotel group in 1984 as Assistant Director of Food and Beverage at the then 2,500-room Hilton Hawaiian Village and becoming Director four months later.

He supervised the development and opening of seven new dining, beverage and entertainment outlets, part of an extensive $100 million hotel renovation. Hilton’s signature restaurants, The Bali by the Sea and the Gold Dragon, garnered many awards under his guidance. In 1991 Trainor was appointed Resident Manager of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and in1994, he was promoted to General Manager.

Trianor also holds volunteer and leadership roles in a number of non-profit organizations. In 2003, he was awarded the Bishop Museum’s Chairman’s Award for his work to support the State Museum’s natural and cultural history, and the same year received the Jefferson Award for contributions to the community through public service. He and his wife Lisa Lahela have two daughters, Leimomi Noel, and Leimana Shannon.