Hawaiian Edventure

Mary Ann

Mary Ann Tsuchiyama
Assistant Director

Mary Ann Tsuchiyama

Mary Ann Tsuchiyama

With a background in accounting and the floral industry, I really never anticipated having a career in travel education or associated with the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Hawaiian EDventure Program. However, with a field as exciting as experiential learning, and the opportunity to meet thousands of people each year, I have found that dedicating my professional life to learning about other cultures and hosting people on this beautiful Big Island, has been a very worthwhile career choice.

As the Assistant Director, for almost 20 years, I have had the pleasure of showcasing this extraordinary island and sharing its’ many treasures with elementary, high school and college students. The programs we offer for intergenerational and multi-generational groups also allow me to bring my own family along as we share our history of the island and our ‘ohana (family) with our visitors.

I have learned so much, myself, about geology, earth science, astronomy, marine science, Hawaiian culture, music and dance and it’s an incredible feeling to be able to share the depths of this rich culture with our visitors. Our EDventures are so authentic and they allow our visitors to really immerse themselves, in a very creative and hands-on way, in the beauty and culture of Hawaii.

So, how does my accounting background fit? Well, you need logic, math, an ability to organize and manage data and be efficient and calculating when you have 200 people visiting at one time and they all want to go to see the beautiful lava streaming into the water!   You need to be a mathematical wizard to organize all of those logistics and I love the challenge.

Meet The Team

Hawaiian Edventure