Beth was born and raised in Michigan and earned her Bachelor of Arts, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, from Michigan State University in 1984. She spent seven years working in broadcast media and the hospitality industry in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to Kauai in 1992.

During her 34 years on Kauai, Beth has established strong contacts at all levels of government, and within the business and non-profit sector statewide.

About Beth

Hospitality Industry (various roles)

1987-1994

Beth spent seven years working in the hospitality industry in sales and marketing roles.

Holiday Inn: Between 1987 and 1992, she worked for Holiday Inn Worldwide in the San Francisco Bay area as a sales manager for the Holiday Inn Civic Center and Holiday Inn Union Square, before being promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing at Holiday Inn Civic Center. During this time she negotiated government/corporate group and free independent traveler (FIT) sales contracts on behalf of these properties. She represented Holiday Inn at major travel conventions and tradeshows across North America, including Canada and Mexico, as well as at international tradeshows in Paris and Berlin.

Westin Kauai: After moving to Kauai, Beth worked as a sales manager at the Westin Kauai, with responsibility for booking corporate groups. Following the impact of Hurricane Iniki in September 1992, the resort was closed and Beth was charged with maintaining bookings and avoiding group cancellations.

Hyatt Regency Kauai: In March 1993, while the Westin remained indefinitely closed, Beth moved to the Hyatt Regency Kauai as Associate Director of Sales in charge of corporate group bookings. She remained at the Hyatt until leaving for government service under newly-elected Mayor Kusaka. She was part of the group honored as "Sales Team of the Year" by Hyatt Hotels Corporation in 1994 for their efforts to restore booking activity to pre-Iniki levels.

County of Kauai

December 1994-March 2015

Beth was first appointed as a member of Mayor Maryanne Kusaka's administration in 1994, and continued to serve in appointed positions under Mayor Bryan Baptiste (2003-2008) and Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr. (2008-2015). In her roles as Public Information Officer, Director of Economic Development and Director of Communications, Beth played an instrumental role in messaging and delivering on key initiatives of all three mayors. During this 20-year period she developed close relationships with officials at all levels of government. While serving as the Director of Economic Development she solidified strong alliances with the business and non-profit communities. In 2010 she received the U.S. Small Business Administration awards for Minority Business Advocate of the Year and Exporter of the Year for her efforts creating and launching the highly successful "Kauai Made" program. During her tenure with the County, she was heavily involved in responding to and messaging for a number of controversial issues including: Hanalei boating, SuperFerry, Bill 2491 (anti-GMO), and plans to extend a walking/biking path along Wailua beach. She was also the County lead in establishing the Kekaha Host Community Benefits program via the Kekaha HCB Advisory Committee.

Syngenta Hawaii

March 2015-October 2016

Beth joined the Syngenta Hawaii team in Kekaha at a critical time when relationships were extremely contentious between the island's agricultural biotech companies and some segments of the community. In her role as Community Outreach Manager, she sought to improve communication with key stakeholders and the media, and enhance the community's understanding of the vital role these agricultural companies play in support of Kauai's social and economic well-being.

Kauai Island Utility Cooperative

November 2016-Present

During her ten years at Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC), Beth has assumed responsibilities for communications, public relations, community outreach, government affairs, and member services. She has also served as primary grant writer for the utility. Her experience at KIUC includes being the cooperative's spokesperson during emergency situations, including Hurricane Lowell: a Category 2 storm which caused widespread damage on Kauai in September 2026, knocking out power to 90% of KIUC's members. Beth also led strategic communications planning for critical projects and initiatives, serving as liaison with government officials and agencies, building alliances with key stakeholders, and maintaining productive relationships with local, statewide, national and international media. She has also served as editor of the award-winning Currents Magazine for the past ten years. In 2026, she received the Regional Award for Outstanding Service from among the nine states that comprise Region 9 in the National Rural Electrical Cooperative Association.

Results that matter

Community Service and Awards

Current Appointments

Kauai United Way, Board Member and past Board President

Hawaii Food Bank - Kauai Branch, Advisory Board Member

PBS - Hawaii, Board Member

Kauai Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee, Chair

Past Appointments

Kauai Chamber of Commerce, Board Chair and Board Member

State of Hawaii Commission on Salaries, Commission Member, 2019 and 2025

County of Kauai Civil Service Commission, Commission Chair and Commission Member

Kauai Board of Water Supply, Board Chair and Board Member

Kauai Economic Development Board, Ex-Officio Board Member

Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force, Member, 2008

Awards

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Region 9, 2026 Regional Award for Outstanding Service

Pacific Business News Women Who Mean Business, 2025

Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce - Business Member of the Year, 2019

Kauai United Way Founders Award. 2018

Hawaii Crop Improvement Association Outstanding Member of the Year, 2015

U.S. Small Business Administration Minority Business Champion and Exporter of the Year, 2010

Pacific Business News Businesswoman of the Year Finalist, 2007

Projects

"2650 Strategies allows me to offer what I've learned from the two places that have shaped who I am as a professional: Michigan (the 26th state) and Hawaii (the 50th state). It would be an honor to share my experience and knowledge to help businesses and organizations deliver their message effectively and 'be understood'. "

Beth Amaro