Join us in welcoming Lala Nuss to the Altruvistas family! Born and raised on the coastal plains of Ewa Beach on the island of Oahu and the slopes of Mauna Kea in Hilo on Hawai’i Island, Lala is our new Hawaii Program Director. Lala has over 15 years of experience domestically and abroad as a professional in the hospitality & travel industry for multinational cruise lines, private aviation companies and hotel chains within operations, sales, marketing and events. Read on to learn more about Lala’s passion for travel.
Altruvistas: What inspired you to travel?
Lala: I was literally traveling before I could walk. Having a mother and father who worked for Pan American Airlines, I grew up in the industry. I continue on that upbringing as an adult inspired by transformative experiences in relating to different places and people around the world.
Altruvistas: How did you get involved with Altruvistas?
Lala: I met Malia Everette through a colleague at the East West Center in Dec. of 2015 when I was asked to assist the Hokule’a’s Worldwide Voyage expedition’s stop in Cuba because of the previous island sustainability projects I had been involved with between Honolulu & Havana. It was sisterhood at 1st sight and Malia was the facilitator of getting Hokule’a’s historical visit to Cuba in March 2016. With her long term plans of expanding Altruvistas to Hawaii and my endeavors to facilitate an alternative travel market, it was sheer divine design.
Altruvistas: What trips have you led for Altruvistas?
Lala: I officially launched the first alternative travel program with Altruvista this June by hosting a cohort called The Green Program in conjunction with the homecoming of the Hokule’a’s 3-year worldwide voyage
Altruvistas: What were some highlights of the trip you led?
Lala: The biggest highlight for me was the positive reception and feedback received from the local community partners. Because of the challenging historical relationship between the tourism industry and the local community in Hawaii, being able to build trust through relationship with community leaders and organizations that embody sustainable, culturally appropriate projects was essential to the mission of creating authentic, transformative travel experiences for visitors with a goal of positively impacting the local people and places these visitors come to.
Altruvistas: What lessons have your learned from the trips you’ve led?
Lala: As I am just getting started with this new endeavor of creating travel experiences outside of the mainstream model, I would say the biggest lesson learned so far is the vital importance of relationship to place and people based on trust and respect. The importance of providing agency to the root culture and having an intention of supporting connections between what is already organically trying to happen. The fusion of cultural understanding and professional experience are a recipe for powerfully relevant and rewarding experiences for 1st the local community working towards prosperity and then the traveler seeking authentic connection.
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