Aloha… and welcome to the Darmic Family
The Holibar clan have been coming to Hawaii since 1980, when Dariel and Michael (the DAR and MIC of Darmic) won a vacation courtesy of the industry Mike was in at the time. After a fantastic week seeing the sights, Dariel and Mike decided their daughters would benefit from the experience, so in 1982 our family spent a month in California, Arizona and Nevada travelling in an RV, finishing with 5 days in Waikiki. Our love affair with Hawaii had begun!! The three daughters were hooked and within 5 years we had all found employment in the travel industry in Auckland.
Four out of the five Holibar family have been involved in the travel industry since 1985, with employment at companies including: Worldwide Travel, Flexiplan, Qantas and British Airways, as well as Flight Centre, Budget Travel, House of Travel, Stars Travel and Sports Tours.
The History of Darmic
Then in the late 1980’s Dariel and Michael had the opportunity to take their Hawaii experience a step further – and Darmic at the Waikiki Banyan was born.
Between 1990 and 2001 Dariel and Michael put their heart and soul into the business and the family again spent many wonderful weeks in Hawaii.
In 2001 Jamie began working full time for them. As grandchildren started to come along, Dariel and Michael felt it was time to step down and in 2007 the business was sold.
Then in 2014, a set of circumstances enabled Jamie and Robyn to once again take the reins and bring Darmic back into the family.
In 2016 Dariel, Michael and Jamie purchased the unit that Darmic staff had been living in for over 20 years, so we also became owners at the Waikiki Banyan. In 2018 Jamie was elected to the Waikiki Banyan Board of Directors. In the last three years she has worked her way through the ranks from Director, to Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President then was voted to be Board President in late 2020. With the 2021 annual meeting being cancelled twice due to Covid, she remained as President to December 2021.
Our Love Affair with Hawaii
We continue to return to Hawaii year after year, it’s like a second home for Mike and Dariel after close to 17 years with Darmic and 40 years since their first visit. All of the photo’s shown here are from our many visits to Waikiki – and beyond. One of the very first photos shows Dariel and Michael at Pali Lookout, Dariel in a stunning black and white strapless jumpsuit with Mike looking dashing in stubbies.
Another early photo from the 1982 holiday, shows Dariel with Jamie, Robyn and Jennie waiting to view the Arizona Memorial; Mike sits with the girls on Waikiki Beach (also in 1982).
Other photos are from our favourite places and of our favourite people.
Darmic Today
Darmic is still a family owned company and the only New Zealand company operating out of the Waikiki Banyan. Dariel and Michael instilled a very strong work ethic in all their girls and we are proud of our New Zealand roots.
Since 2017 our team has expanded with first Sue and then Sam joining the company, followed in 2021 with Nikki in Hawaii, Kathie and Melissa in New Zealand. and Vicky in Australia. Together we form an experienced team dedicated to owners and guests alike, to bring you a personal experience at your home away from home in Waikiki.
We are very proud to be currently ranked in the top 2 on Trip Advisor under “Specialty Lodging in Honolulu” as well as being recipients of the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence 2016 to 2019 and Travelers Choice Award 2020.
Now as we close on our 8th birthday, we are excited to be evolving and offering even more to our guests. We are working with some fabulous local suppliers to enhance your Hawaiian experience.
We look forward to seeing you back in Hawaii!
