Updated at 4:43 p.m., Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Retired airlines exec, Hawaii tourism advocate dies
Advertiser Staff
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Information about the circumstances of his death were not available.
Wright was instrumental in developing a partnership between the state of Hawai'i and Continental, including negotiations that resulted in construction of a new $25-million state-of-the-art maintenance facility at Honolulu International Airport.
His active participation in Hawai'i's tourism industry helped forge successful programs, such as the Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau's "Aloha Cities" promotional tour.
Wright moved to Hawai'i in 1970 as a supervisor of Continental Airlines' passenger service at Honolulu International Airport. His job was to coordinate all passenger service personnel functions at the new and expanding Honolulu station. At the end of his 37-year tenure at Continental, Wright was managing director of sales and marketing, Hawai'i. His responsibilities included: sales (commercial, retail and wholesale travel), advertising, public relations, government relations, and pricing in Hawai'i and the Asia/Pacific markets.
After retiring from Continental, Wright became CEO of Get2Hawaii, an Internet-based company that connects travel suppliers and travel partners with online travel shoppers.
Wright served on the board of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. He was also a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Oahu Country Club; and a board member of Diamond Head Theatre, and U.S. Air Force Advisory Board.
In addition, Wright served as chairman of the American Heart Association Heart Walk, president of Pacific Asia Travel Association; and director for the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau, St. Louis School, Governor's Tourism Task Force (1983 & 1991) and Governor's Revitalization Task Force Subcommittee (1997).
Before arriving in Hawai'i, Wright attended Texas Tech University. He later enrolled at the University of Hawai'i, where he focused on marketing studies.
Ron is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lauren.
Memorial services are set for July 5 at St. Stephen's Diocesan Center, 2747 Pali Highway, with a Mass at 8 a.m. followed by visitation at 9 a.m.
