About Us
At ManatÅ« Marketing & Sales, our name carries the heart of our mission. In Tahitian, manatÅ« means profit, prosperity, and advantage—a reflection of what we strive to deliver in every partnership.
Founded by Vaihiria Kelley, a Tahitian native with deep roots in the tourism industry and a legacy tied to the very origins of overwater hospitality, ManatÅ« Marketing is built on the belief that success should be shared. Our work is driven by a commitment to generate meaningful results—prosperity for our clients, economic benefit for our islands, and opportunity for the advisors who champion our products.
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Specializing in sales and marketing representation for Tahitian and South Pacific brands, we bring cultural authenticity, strategic insight, and a results-oriented approach to the North American market. Whether representing airlines, cruise lines, resorts, or tourism boards, we serve as trusted advisors and in-market ambassadors—advocating for our partners with heart, purpose, and performance.
Meet The Team
Tourism is more than a career for Vaihiria Kelley—it’s a legacy. Born in Tahiti to a Tahitian mother and American father, Vaihiria is the daughter of Hugh Kelley, one of the legendary “Bali Hai Boys” who helped spark a global hospitality phenomenon by transforming traditional Polynesian fishing huts into the world’s first overwater bungalows – now a global symbol of luxury travel. That legacy continues through her work today.
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Vaihiria brings over two decades of senior leadership in travel and tourism to her role as CEO of Manatū Marketing. She was part of the founding team at Air Tahiti Nui North America, where she spent 20 years as Director of Marketing and Direct Sales for North America, helping grow the airline from a start-up into the flagship international carrier of French Polynesia.
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Her career then took her to Hawaii, where she served as Director of Sales and Marketing for the largest helicopter tour company in the islands. Most recently, she joined the fantastic team at Tourism Australia during the critical post-COVID recovery phase, working across airline partnerships, Key Distribution Partners, OTAs, and co-op campaigns with Australian state tourism boards to relaunch the destination in the North American market.
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Now, through ManatÅ« Marketing, she leads the charge on all client-facing initiatives, including trade show representation, advisor training, sales calls, and product manager engagement. Internally, she drives strategy, analytics, and ROI-focused planning—ensuring every client receives cost-effective, results-driven support.
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Vaihiria brings a rare combination of authentic cultural insights, strong industry relationships, and business expertise to every client engagement. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. She’s also a proud mother of two, an avid gardener and founder of a handcrafted Tahitian pearl jewelry line, blending her creative roots with her commitment to showcasing the beauty of her island home.
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With Vaihiria Kelley at the helm, ManatÅ« Marketing & Sales brings unmatched expertise, genuine cultural insight, and a drive for measurable success to every partnership—a true ally in expanding visibility and revenue for South Pacific travel brands.
Tahiti wasn’t where Kathy Maye expected to find her professional passion—but it’s where she’s remained ever since her first journey to the islands in 1998. After five years with New Zealand’s national tourism board, Kathy joined Tahiti Tourisme and fell head over heels for French Polynesia. More than two decades later, her connection to the destination continues to shape her career.
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Kathy joined Manatū Marketing in the fall of 2024, bringing with her a wealth of experience from 18 years with Pacific Beachcomber, followed by two years supporting ocean conservation and sustainable development initiatives with the Blue Climate Initiative.
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In her role as Communications & Client Relations Manager, Kathy oversees our communications strategy, manages day-to-day operations, and serves as a vital liaison between our clients and the North American travel trade. From creating our monthly newsletter and organizing webinars to managing our CRM and agent engagement, she ensures every touchpoint is consistent, informed, and impactful.
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A graduate of Cal State Long Beach, Kathy holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and an Associate’s degree in French (though she’ll be the first to tell you her French is still not great). She lives in Torrance with her husband and their college-aged son. When she’s not on the job, you’ll find her in the pool, in the kitchen, or deep into her latest streaming series—at least when hockey season allows.
