Clifford Nae`ole is the Hawaiian cultural advisor for The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. In this unique position, Mr. Nae`ole advises and educates employees and guests on proper Hawaiian protocol and customs, maintains a presence of the Hawaiian culture in the hotel and encourages a cohesive relationship with the community.

“We are fortunate to be an AAA Five Diamond hotel immersed in a culture that, like a diamond, has many facets. Our programs are designed to connect the ‘hosted’ to the ‘host,’ thus enhancing the overall experience of all involved,” said Mr. Nae’ole.

As cultural advisor, Mr. Nae`ole conducts twice weekly historical "Sense of Place" discussions and tours to the border of the Honokahua Preservation Site. He also hosts the monthly “talk story” series Mai Ka Pu’uwai (Storytelling from the Heart). He is chairman of Celebration of the Arts, a three-day festival tribute to the people, art and culture of Hawaii, and serves as advisor to the hotel's Hawaii Council. A Hawaiian chanter and hula dancer, he has performed official ceremonies and traditional blessings throughout Hawai`i, French Polynesia and the mainland U.S.

In this prominent role, Mr. Nae’ole has been featured in a national print and television advertising campaign for the Hawaii Convention & Visitors Bureau as well as on networks such as ESPN, E!, the Travel Channel and USA.

President of the statewide Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Mr. Nae’ole is a member of the Hawaii Burial Council for Maui and Lana’i. He is an active supporter of Maui's Hawaiian Language Immersion Schools — Punana Leo O Maui and Kulakaiapuni. Mr. Nae’ole received the distinguished Hawaii Hotel Association's Na Po’e Pa’ahana Honorable Mention Award for the 1997-98 Outstanding Employee of the Year.

Born and raised on Maui, Mr. Nae’ole attended St. Anthony High School in Wailuku. He studied business at Seattle University and received his travel agent certification from the San Francisco School of Travel.

Mr. Nae`ole has over 30 years of hotel and travel industry experience and was previously communications coordinator at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. Prior to joining The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Mr. Nae`ole was assistant general manager of Ambassador Inns of California in San Jose and was a travel agent with Apollo Travel in Campbell, California.