our story

Creating and Delivering the World’s Best Vacations

With profound gratitude and respect for our island home, we provide uniquely authentic Hawaiian experiences that you and your family will cherish for a lifetime. We invite you to discover the magic of Kauai, and the enduring spirit of Aloha.

our values

What We Stand For

Unity in Diversity

We blend individual talents and team collaboration to create unique, memorable experiences, shaped by our collective creativity and personal touch.

Integrity

We uphold the highest standards of honesty and responsibility, ensuring every interaction and decision is rooted in trust.

Aloha Spirit

Our team embodies the warm, welcoming essence of Kauai — fostering a sense of belonging and kindness in every encounter, both within our community and with our guests.

Heart of Service

Driven by a deep passion for service, we dedicate ourselves to crafting unforgettable experiences, ensuring each guest’s journey is as unique and special as they are.

Connection

Fostering unity and belonging, we deeply connect with the island, our guests, and our team, to enrich each experience with compassion.

our people

Exceptional Service is Just the Beginning

Our team of vacation professionals is dedicated to creating the world’s best vacations. From identifying incredible homes and maintaining them to the highest standards, to designing unique itineraries and creating unforgettable experiences, everything we do is designed around you and your vacation. From the moment you land on Kauai, you can truly relax knowing every detail has been meticulously cared for.

Cody Leclaire

head of operations

Allie Mason

head of accounting

Aaron Martin

head of services

Wendy Jae

Head of Marketing

Leticia Elzaurdia

kauai Host

Jason Bartenbach

kauai Host

Justin Herrmann

Kauai Host

Jenny Estella

Operations Coordinator

Phil Jones

Founder

Mary Gauba

guest services

Chris Duggan

principal

our homes

Kauai’s Finest Luxury Vacation Rentals

From secluded estates perched above secret beaches to designer villas tucked into lush mountain valleys, our hand-selected homes are as unforgettable as the island itself. Each property is chosen for its unique charm, impeccable quality, and ability to immerse you in the magic of Kauai. Whether you’re seeking serenity, adventure, or a bit of both, your perfect island escape starts here.

Cody Leclaire

head of operations

Originally from the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, Cody brings a lifelong passion for the outdoors and a global background in hospitality and operations. Today, the splits time between managing luxury vacation rentals in New York and crafting elevated guest experiences on Kauai’s North Shore as part of the Pure Kauai team. His career spans building a global internship program, scaling alternative education in tech, and now curating high-touch, memorable stays for families and groups. Whether building systems or building campfires, Cody thrives at the intersection of creativity, operations, and human connection.

Allie Mason

head of accounting

Allie Mason works with Julie at Elevation Tax & Accounting Inc., and has partnered with Pure Kauai to head the accounting department. She has over 15 years of experience, as well as an AS in Hospitality Administration/Management. She strives to make sure everything is done efficiently and accurately, all while keeping the “fun” in accounting. Born and raised in Wyoming, Allie now lives in Florida with her husband and daughter. While she is not on island, it has been Allie’s goal to work with everyone to keep the accounting going strong.

Aaron Martin

head of services

Aaron Martin, a New Hampshire native with a BA in Geography, has called Kaua‘i home since 2005. A grounded professional rooted in nature, culture, and community, he began his career as a guide, naturalist, and outdoor educator in both Kaua‘i and Alaska. His work as a university course facilitator on a tall ship carried him across Europe, Africa, the Americas, and island communities around the world, broadening his perspective while deepening his appreciation for authentic connection.

After a chapter in San Francisco’s tech sector, Aaron returned full-time to Kaua‘i, where he founded and advised tourism businesses before joining Pure Kaua‘i. Today, he helps design meaningful experiences on the island’s North Shore, blending two decades of local knowledge with the insight of a well-traveled guide.

Wendy Jae

HEAD OF MARKETING

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy has helped founders, creators, and purpose-driven brands scale with clarity and precision. Wendy has developed proven frameworks that combine AI-powered marketing systems, narrative-driven storytelling, and behavioral communication strategies. In her role at Pure Kauai, Wendy brings this systems-driven mindset to elevate brand positioning, streamline marketing operations, and enhance the guest journey from first touchpoint to post-stay engagement. Outside of work, Wendy is an ultra-endurance athlete with the CTS Coaching Team, reflecting the same discipline, resilience, and long-term thinking she brings to business. 

Leticia Elzaurdia

kauai Host

Leticia brings decades of experience in Kauai’s luxury hospitality scene, from working with top private chefs and event coordinators to supporting local ventures on the North Shore. As a lead concierge at Pure Kauai, she collaborates directly with VIP guests to create seamless, personalized vacations.
Born on Kauai and raised in San Francisco, Leticia returned in 2010 for what was meant to be a short sabbatical—but Kauai had other plans. With a background in art direction and a passion for travel, wellness, and the ocean, Leticia brings creativity, calm, and true island insight to every guest experience.

Jason Bartenbach

kauai Host

Jason is a dedicated hospitality professional. He has worked in customer service on Kauai since 2009, with 25+ total years in the industry. Prior to Pure Kauai, Jason worked in the wine industry and is a level 1 sommelier. Jason is creative by nature. He is a passionate painter and an evolving abstract artist. He loves to cook and create beautiful culinary masterpieces, listen to and play music, dance, enjoy outdoor life, adventure, and experience the magic of Kauai. Jason enjoys utilizing his passions, experiences, and island knowledge to help guests curate their epic dream vacations.

Justin Herrmann

Kauai Host

With over a decade in hospitality across Hawaii, Central America, and North Carolina, Justin brings a high-energy blend of aloha spirit and adventure to every guest experience. He’s known for crafting memorable moments that stay with people long after their stay. An avid home cook and outdoor enthusiast, Justin spends his time surfing, hiking, diving, snowboarding—and lately, mastering the art of wing foiling. He’s also passionate about travel and storytelling through photography, capturing the beauty of both place and plate.

Jenny Estella

Operations Coordinator

Originally from the Philippines, Jenny has built her career in customer support, collaborating with clients and teams across the globe. Now serving as an Operations Coordinator at Pure Kauai, Jenny manages key aspects of the guest experience, along with overseeing damage protection and claims submissions. She brings a highly organized, client-focused approach to everything she touches, ensuring smooth operations and a seamless experience for both guests and internal teams.

Phil Jones

Founder

Phil has over 40 years of experience in the travel industry. He founded and ran L.A. Ski & Sun Tours, one of the largest ski tour operators in the US that provided vacations for over 100,000 travelers during his tenure. He also owned the Muscle Truck Company, which built and rented mobile fitness facilities for movie celebrities to train while on location. He is the founder of Pure Kauai (2001) and is the proud father of two children, Kalina and Bodhi.

Mary Gauba

guest services

Mary is the glue that holds Pure Kauai together (and she keeps track of the money). She has lived in Aspen, New York, Southern California and Kauai – involved in tourism and customer service through her entire career. Her fun personality makes paying for your vacation almost as fun as your trip (as hard as that may sound). She lives in Kauai with her husband and their beautiful daughter.

Chris Duggan

principal

As a sophomore in college Chris helped found a career development startup. Over his 14 years as President he helped lead the business from startup to an industry-defining company with 50+ employees and operations in 10 cities around the world. His experience has been focused in executive leadership/management, sales & marketing and operations. Since then, Chris is now a managing partner at Go Capital and main Principal at Pure Kauai. Chris graduated with a degree in general management and Spanish from Boston College. He is originally from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

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