Transform Your Marketing Strategy with Nina Gaines

Waikiki Trolley- Marketing Associate

At Waikiki Trolley, I lead and support a wide range of marketing efforts designed to elevate brand visibility and enhance the guest experience. I’ve contributed to campaign development, website content, social media strategy, and partnership outreach—all with a focus on driving engagement and showcasing the unique appeal of Waikiki’s most iconic transportation service. I also launched and managed the company’s original TikTok page, creating fun, culturally relevant content that expanded our digital presence and connected with a younger audience.

Representing the Waikiki Trolley at the Hawaii Transportation Association annual golf tournament.

From Idea to Impact

Trial of Fears- Project Leader

As the Project Lead of Hawaii’s highest-rated haunted attraction, Trial of Fears, I oversee the entire production from concept to execution. My role includes developing original themes, designing sets and props, leading makeup and costume direction, managing a team of 45 cast and crew, and executing digital marketing campaigns. I also built the brand identity, designed the official website and merchandise, and led community outreach and sponsorship efforts—ensuring the attraction grows each year in both scale and impact.

Final 2024 picture of cast and crew.

Digital solutions

HITS- Web Developer

I designed and developed the official website for HITS using WordPress, creating a clean, mobile-responsive interface tailored to the needs of both tourists and travel agents. From layout to copy, every element was built with user experience and SEO in mind. Despite being a newly launched site, it already ranks well on search engines—reflecting strong foundational SEO strategy and thoughtful keyword integration.

Homepage of current website for local transportation company

Work Examples

Generate Excitement.

For our haunted house’s promotional campaign, I conceptualized, edited, and acted in the Dr. Delerio video—a character-driven piece designed to build anticipation and immerse audiences in the twisted world of Trial of Fears. I crafted the storyline, directed the tone and pacing through post-production editing, and stepped into the role myself to bring the character to life. This project combined my skills in creative direction, video editing, and performance—all aimed at expanding the brand’s narrative and engaging viewers through cinematic storytelling.

Grab Interest.

As part of my role with Trial of Fears, I led public relations efforts to increase media visibility and community engagement. I successfully pitched and coordinated press coverage with 808 Living (The Free Press), resulting in a featured article that spotlighted our event’s unique concept, local impact, and growing popularity. From crafting press releases to managing media outreach and interviews, I focused on building strong relationships with local outlets and positioning Trial of Fears as Hawaii’s must-experience haunted attraction.

Organic Reach

One of my first social media projects for Waikiki Trolley was a short-form video showcasing a popular trolley stop, highlighting nearby attractions in an engaging, easy-to-follow format. I shot, edited, and posted the video to our social channels, where it organically reached over 4,000 views within just a few days. This early success helped set the tone for our content strategy and demonstrated the potential of video storytelling to connect with both locals and visitors.

Nina Gaines