Executive Profiles
The leadership behind Hawaiʻi Stage — steering live production with island roots, executive discipline, and a mission to build economic opportunity for the Native Hawaiian community and local residents across the State.
Chief Executive Officer
Kūhiō Lewis
Kūhiō is the CEO of Hawaiʻi Stage and CEO of the Hawaiian Council (HC), formerly the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
In 2024, the Hawaiian Council — through its for-profit subsidiary — acquired Hawaiʻi Stage, formerly Hawaiʻi Stage & Lighting Rentals (HSLR). HC is a member-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to enhance the cultural, economic, political, and community development of Native Hawaiians.
Under Kūhiō's leadership, HC expanded its services to the Native Hawaiian community and the broader public through the establishment and administration of the Hawaiian Trades Academy, the online marketplace Pop-Up Mākeke, the Kū Hana Business Program, and nationally recognized emergency rental and mortgage assistance programs.
HC also convenes the most consequential annual gathering of Native Hawaiians and manages the largest Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) program in the State of Hawaiʻi, with a revolving $20 million fund.
Division President
Neldon E. Mamuad
Neldon is President of the Event Services Division at Hawaiian Council's Hawaiʻi Holding & Investments LLC, providing strategic leadership and executive oversight for Hawaiʻi Stage and future acquisitions.
With more than 20 years leading event services, live production, hospitality, and airport operations, Neldon has managed teams of up to 100 people and delivered up to $8M in revenue in a single year. He joined Hawaiʻi Stage 2 years ago and now leads a 30-person team delivering production and technical services for events across the islands, including the Fiji Forever Tribute Concert, Aloha in Action Benefit Concert, the 2026 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, Apple TV's Chief of War premiere, the Native Hawaiian Convention, and Miss Hawaii USA.
In his current role, Neldon focuses on sustainable growth, operational excellence, and financial performance while advancing the Hawaiian Council's mission to create economic opportunities for Native Hawaiian communities. He leads integration efforts, strengthens client and vendor relationships across the division's expanding portfolio, and oversaw the technical install and engineering of the new Kaula Luau in Ko Olina. He is currently advising on Hawaiian Council's newest acquisition, Sea Life Park, developing upgrade plans for the park's IT infrastructure, backup power generation, and audio systems.
Previously, he served as General Manager for CLEAR (NYSE: YOU) in Hawaiʻi, where he launched operations at HNL and OGG airports, expanding the company's secure identity network through collaboration with HDOT-A, TSA, and airline partners. Earlier, Neldon spent 15 years with Encore (formerly PSAV), beginning his career at the Four Seasons and later the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, before rising to Area Director of Venues for his final 5 years, overseeing the company's entire portfolio of 10 properties across Maui and Lānaʻi, consistently growing revenue and elevating guest satisfaction while developing emerging leaders.
Culturally grounded. Community-centered.
Every show we build advances a larger purpose — creating economic opportunity for local communities while delivering productions the islands can be proud of.