30th Annual Na Po'e Pa'ahana AwardsYesterday, HLTA held its 30th Annual Na Po'e Pa'ahana Awards luncheon at the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom. HLTA Chair Mike Jokovich and I had a wonderful afternoon meeting all of our nominees, finalists, and our awardees. As always, the stories that arise during Na Po'e are heart warming and at times incredible! As we close the books on this event each year, I get to reflect on not only the rich diversity of our industry's workforce, but also the quality of the people who comprise it. They are all, truly, no ka oi. 2020 Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year Kirk Togashi – Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa 2020 Manager of the Year Claire Butler - Hilton Hawaiian Village Bell & Valet: Large Property Dayle Ho'opai - Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort Bell & Valet: Medium Property Peter Nonales - OHANA Waikiki Malia By Outrigger Bell & Valet: Small Property Ted Tuttle - Wyndham Vacation Resorts Royal Garden at Waikiki Engineer & Maintenance: Large Property Mundy Gillcoat - The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas Engineer & Maintenance: Medium Property Lee Ridley - Marriott's Waiohai Beach Club Engineer & Maintenance: Small Property Kyle "Kalani" Tihada - Napili Kai Beach Resort Food & Beverage: Large Property Imelda "Amie" Tungpalan - Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Hotel Food & Beverage: Medium Property Gemsley Balagso - The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas Resort Front Office: Large Property Giadee Kaiwi - The Westin Maui Resort & Spa Front Office: Medium Property Manuel Nicolas - OHANA Waikiki Malia by Outrigger Front Office: Small Property Charles Ursua - Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk Housekeeper: Large Property Flordeliza Leo - Hilton Hawaiian Village Housekeeper: Medium Property Erlinda Aranca - The Kahala Hotel & Resort Housekeeper: Small Property Laurie Manatay - Aston Islander on the Beach Security Officer: Large Property Eric Capllonch - Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Security Officer: Medium Property Andrew Materne - The Ritz Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach Security Officer: Small Property Joseph Pascua - Lawai Beach Resort Allied Member of the Year Kaiser Permanente Individual Allied Member of the Year Lester Kodama - Honolulu Star-Advertiser Chef/Restaurateur of the Year Tylun Pang - The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui Hospitality Educator of the Year Vice Principal Kenneth Acgaoili - Kaimuki High School Leader in Sustainability Prince Resorts Hawaii Women in Lodging & Tourism: Woman of the Year Hao Dang Tanacsos - HAOSkeeping, Inc. Excellence in Community Service Sheraton Kauai Pūlamahia Award Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Ho'okamaha'o Award Debbie Nakanelua-Richards - Hawaiian Airlines 2020 Na Po'e Pa'ahana Legacy Award The Polynesian Cultural Center A big mahalo to our co--hosts Tannya Joaquin, left, and Brigette Namata, both of whom hail from KHON and did a wonderful job as emcees of the event. Government AffairsOn January 14, HLTA will be hosting its first government affairs event of the year, a talk story session with state legislators. We will be meeting with legislators from both chambers, including Senate President Ron Kouchi, Senate Tourism Chair Glenn Wakai, Senate Transportation Chair Lorraine Inouye, and Senator Kurt Fevella. From the House of Representatives, we will be joined by Vice Speaker Mark Nakashima, Tourism Chair Richard Onishi, Representative Scot Matayoshi, Representative John Mizuno and Representative Val Okimoto .
While we have enjoyed several key legislative victories in recent memory (TVRs, CONAM, Real Property Tax Rate carve outs or bed & breakfast properties), we must not become complacent. There are a number of key issues that are looking over the entire tourism industry and we must do our best to make our case to our legislators. This meeting will be a key first step in connecting with them this year and learning more about their priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
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