Resilient Leadership in Tourism: Royal Lahaina GM Nicholas Kuhns Earns Spot on 2025 “GMs to Watch”

Nicholas Kuhns, the general manager of Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows on the Hawaiian island of Maui, has secured a place on Hotel Management’s prestigious “GMs to Watch 2025” list. The recognition highlights forward-thinking leaders in hospitality who have demonstrated creativity, resilience and strong strategic direction in their roles.

For Kuhns, this honor comes at a pivotal moment: the resort reopened in mid-2024, approximately one year after the devastating wildfires that struck Lahaina in 2023. During the closure, Royal Lahaina paused commercial operations in order to host displaced residents from the region, reflecting a deep commitment to community recovery.

Leadership in Times of Crisis

Kuhns’ path to this leadership role is rooted in a rich background in hospitality. His journey began at age 15, working in a resort’s kids club, and over the years he built up operational experience in major properties in Las Vegas and beyond. He holds a Bachelor of Science in hotel administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and has held roles at Hilton and other luxury hospitality groups before joining Montage International.

When he assumed leadership at Royal Lahaina in late 2024, he inherited more than a resort poised to reopen — he stepped into a role of reconstruction and cultural restoration. Under his guidance, the property reemerged with renewed amenities: two new culinary venues, Lahaina Noon, an oceanfront restaurant, and Pineapple Moon, a relaxed poolside bar.

A Strategic Reinvestment

The renovation strategy aligns with a broader vision of tourism not just as commerce, but as community revitalization. The resort now offers 127 upgraded private bungalows, refreshed public spaces, and wellness amenities. These investments reinforce Royal Lahaina’s heritage character while modernizing it for contemporary travelers.

Kuhns’ leadership is marked by an emphasis on sustainable and culturally meaningful hospitality. The reopening included launching The Branches, a gathering space under a century-old Ficus tree on the grounds of the resort, where guests and locals share live music and stories. This kind of initiative signals Kuhns’ commitment to intertwine guest experience with local community healing and engagement.

Tourism, Recovery, and Economic Resilience

The economic context is significant. According to local business reporting, the island’s tourism recovery has faced headwinds: occupancy rates are still recovering, and Kuhns himself has noted that business is not yet back to pre-fire levels. Despite this, he sees the resort’s role as both a commercial asset and a community anchor. His vision is that a revitalized Royal Lahaina can catalyze broader economic recovery in West Maui.

That vision is backed by the resort’s ownership model. The property is managed by Highgate, a global hospitality management firm, and was acquired by BlackSand Capital, an investment firm that underscores long-term value and widespread impact. Their partnership signals a commitment to not only rebuild a resort, but to sustain it in a way that balances profitability, guest experience, and social responsibility.

Lessons for Global Hospitality Education

For students and professionals in hospitality management worldwide, Kuhns’ story offers multiple insights. First, the role of a GM in crisis goes beyond operations: it encompasses community leadership, social empathy and long-term strategic thinking. Second, reinvention after disaster can be a powerful opportunity for innovation—Royal Lahaina’s new restaurant concepts and refreshed property design illustrate how legacy hotels can modernize without losing their identity.

Third, his example highlights the importance of stakeholder alignment. By working closely with investors, local partners, and cultural custodians, Kuhns has driven a transformation that goes beyond branding, touching on resilience and shared purpose. For hospitality education programs, this case study underscores how theoretical leadership and real-world pressures intersect in meaningful ways.

Broader Implications for Tourism Policy

On a policy level, the resort’s recovery under Kuhns may influence how destinations vulnerable to natural disasters approach tourism redevelopment. The balance between commercial viability and social anchoring—giving displaced residents a place, reengaging local talent, and preserving cultural landmarks—could serve as a model for destination recovery in other regions.

Furthermore, investor-backed hospitality projects now increasingly consider resilience planning as a core part of their strategy. The Royal Lahaina example suggests that recovery-focused renovation is not just about repairing physical structures, but about investing in people, heritage, and community relationships.

Source: MauiNow