Retail Merchants of Hawai‘i has named a new interim leader.
Dave Erdman, a longtime marketing and communications executive, has been appointed interim president and CEO of the statewide, membership-based, not-for-profit trade organization. He starts in the role on Jan. 7.
RMH has more than 120 members, and advocates for and supports the state’s retail industry. Former RMH President Tina Yamaki recently stepped into a new role as managing director of the Hawai‘i Transportation Association, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Erdman told Aloha State Daily in an email that he’s been part of the organization — as a member, board director and executive committee member — for more than 30 years and has been involved in leadership transitions before.
“When asked if I could step in during this period, I saw it as an opportunity to support our board chairs, our members and an industry that has meant a great deal to me personally and professionally,” he says. “Retailers are resilient, entrepreneurial and deeply connected to their communities, and RMH has played an important role in supporting that work over the years.”
Erdman was the founder and previously president and CEO of PacRim Marketing Group/Vector USA and PRTech LLC, leading the companies for more than three decades, an announcement Wednesday noted.
Additionally, he previously chaired the Hawai‘i Pacific Export Council and the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, served as a board trustee for Mid-Pacific Institute, and was past president and member of the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise. He’s currently a member of the University of Hawai‘i Shidler College of Business School of Travel Industry Management Alumni Board and has been recognized several times for leadership and business excellence.
Erdman stepped back from his PacRim leadership role and into a senior adviser position earlier this year, when Toshinari Katsura was named as its new CEO, effective April 1.
How did he respond when he was asked to step into the interim leadership role at RMH?
“My first reaction was honestly to laugh and say, ‘no way,’” Erdman says. “After more than three decades running my own business, I had planned to take a pause and focus on family and personal priorities. But given the timing — and with a new legislative session approaching and key initiatives already underway — I felt it was important to help provide continuity and support for the organization during this transition.”
And there’s a lot he’s anticipating.
“I’m looking forward to reconnecting with retailers across the Islands, meeting new members and working collaboratively with policymakers at the state and county levels," he says. "Retail touches every community in Hawai‘i, and I’m excited to help strengthen those relationships while supporting the industry during a period of change."
Erdman’s appointment was made by the RMH Executive Committee, led by 2025 Board Chair Darcy Lindamood and incoming 2026 Board Chair Keali‘i Haverly, the announcement noted.
Haverly said in the announcement that Erdman’s “long history with the organization and the Hawai‘i retail community makes him uniquely positioned to guide RMH at this pivotal time.”
In addition to advocacy efforts, RMH also offers educational programs, networking opportunities and industry resources; promotes best practices in retail, tourism and community responsibility; and serves as the voice for retailers across the Islands, the announcement says.
Those missions are reflected in Erdman’s priorities stepping into the role.
“My top priority is listening to our members and making sure their concerns are clearly understood and communicated — particularly around workforce, costs, public safety, tourism, and the overall business climate,” he told ASD. “Advocacy remains central to RMH’s mission and we will continue to serve as a unified voice for retailers statewide. At the same time, we are focused on member engagement, education, and restarting committee work in 2026 that helps to connect our retailers to each other and offers updates, trends, supports best practices and prepares retailers for the future.”
Retail Merchants of Hawai‘i got its start on April 23, 1901, “when the treasurer of the Territory of Hawai‘i granted a charter to the Merchants Association of Honolulu,” the RMH website notes. “It was the first organized group to represent the retail trade. Back then, there were only a handful of merchants, and the common issues were creating a stable monetary system, improving shipping facilities and sanitation, and laying of telegraphic cable for a faster communication system.”
The search for a permanent president and CEO is underway, and a spokesperson for RMH told Aloha State Daily that there is currently no established timeline in place for that search.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
