YP Exec Connect with Rena Agngarayngay, Karen Wataru Nakaoka, and Cayenne Pea Sponsored by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union

Exclusive luncheon event for YP members only!

In honor of International Women's Day this month, join the YPs for this intimate lunch event with three of Hawaii's premier female business leaders in the hospitality industry. This is open to current YP members only and limited to only eight YP members per executive. Sign up NOW to attend this great "talk story" luncheon and learn from these accomplished business executives.

Books 4 Keiki Book Drive The YP Wahine Committee is collecting donations of new or gently loved books for keiki aged 3-6 years old from March until May to support Books 4 Keiki!⁠ A designated YP member will be collecting books at this event, please bring your donations if you have any. Books 4 Keiki is a 501(c)3 organization which was co-founded by YP member Brandie Ota that helps to provide access to age-appropriate books for pre-k keiki in Title I schools in Hawaii.
 

Rena Agngarayngay
General Manager
Lotus Honolulu Hotel & Hotel Renew

Rena Agngarayngay, a native of American Samoa, brings over a decade of hospitality experience to her role as General Manager of Lotus Honolulu Hotel and Hotel Renew.
She began her hospitality career 12 years ago as a Front Desk Agent at Hotel Renew and subsequently took on a pivotal role in the opening of Oahu’s first Ritz-Carlton property – The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach. She later held leadership positions at The Modern Honolulu and Ala Moana Hotel before returning to Hotel Renew under MacNaughton Hospitality as General Manager.

In November 2024, Rena’s role expanded to also oversee the Lotus Honolulu Hotel. Together, these two boutique hotels offer distinct yet complementary experiences—Lotus Honolulu as a tranquil, upscale retreat near Diamond Head, and Hotel Renew as a modern, intimate stay in the heart of Waikiki. Rena fosters a culture of service excellence through mentorship, effective communication, and a collaborative team environment, ensuring that every guest enjoys an exceptional hospitality experience.

Beyond her professional achievements, Rena is deeply committed to giving back to the community. As a mother of four, she is especially passionate about supporting underprivileged youth, children, and young professionals. Her dedication to mentorship, advocacy, and community engagement is driven by a desire to create opportunities and empower the next generation.


Karen Wataru Nakaoka
Senior Director of Member & Community Engagement
Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau

Karen Wataru Nakaoka is a strategic leader with expertise in community engagement, association leadership and relationship management. With a proven track record of developing innovative programs, driving membership growth and fostering impactful partnerships, she has positively impacted Hawaii's hospitality and tourism industries.

As Senior Director of Member & Community Engagement at the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB)—the state’s largest tourism membership organization—Karen spearheads initiatives in regenerative tourism, stakeholder collaboration, and revenue generation. Her career spans leadership roles across hospitality, tourism, and the nonprofit sector, where she has successfully secured funding, enhanced member participation, and championed industry-wide initiatives.

A dedicated mentor and advocate, Karen is passionate about building strong communities, advancing professional development, and driving strategic impact. Her leadership continues to shape Hawai‘i’s tourism landscape, ensuring that businesses, industry partners, and local communities thrive together.


Cayenne Pea
Principal & Co-Founder
Alakai Development

Cayenne Pe’a is a co-owner of Alaka‘i Development where passion drives us and communities inspire us. Since 2016, Alaka’i Development has delivered 817 units of rental housing in West Oahu. Most recently developed in partnership with a Fortune 250 company is The Element, a 318-unit rental community not far from where Cayenne grew up. Alaka’i Development is currently under construction on a 240-key Hyatt Place Hyatt House adjacent to The Element. As a team of two, no task is too big or small for the partners of Alaka’i Development.

Prior to Alaka‘i Development, Cayenne worked as Director of Finance for Forest City Hawaii where she led a team that managed a $2B balance sheet including a portfolio of 6,700 military homes, development of 499-unit class-A apartment community Kapolei Lofts, rezoning of a 271-acre master-planned community, and the financing of six utility-scale solar installations, which included partnerships with both the Department of the Navy and State of Hawaii. Alaka’i Development managed the lease up and subsequent sale of both Kapolei Lofts and The Element to Blackstone.

Cayenne is a Kamehameha Schools graduate and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University. She was honored as a member of Pacific Business News’ Power Leaders (2025), Women Who Mean Business (2024), and Hawaii Business Magazine’s 20 for the Next 20 (2020). Cayenne is the Chair of the Make-A-Wish Hawaii Board of Directors and Island Pacific Academy Board of Trustees. She is a member of Lambda Alpha International Aloha Chapter and Pacific Century Fellows Class of 2022.