Mufi's Message, 01.11.19

Lei Day with HLTA at the Capitol

​As is now our tradition, we will be welcoming the start of the legislative session by lei-ing our lawmakers and dropping off our HLTA Legislative priorities.  Join us for Lei Day at the Capitol, on Tuesday, January 22nd.

We will be meeting at the Capitol Rotunda promptly at 8am, so that the legislators may wear their beautiful lei, courtesy of the Orchid Lei Company, to the Governor’s State of the State address later that morning. 
 
I hope that you will join us. Please register here.

Holiday Party 

​I would like to extend a sincere mahalo to all of you who were able to join us at Sky Waikiki yesterday evening to kick off the new year. We said mahalo to our outgoing Vice President Dean Nakasone, welcomed our new Senior Director of Operations Edgar Palafox, and congratulated Chris Tatum, a former HLTA Board Chair on his new position as President & CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
 
Mahalo to Paradise Beverages, Young’s Market,  Enterprise Holdings, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa, Castle Resorts, the ‘Alohilani Resort, and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, a Luxury Collection Resort, Star Events, Tom Jones of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, and of course the Sky Waikiki team for their contributions to a wonderful event. Thank you to Bonnie Kiyabu, Oahu Chapter Chair, and the Oahu Chapter committee for helping to organize this fun evening. We had a great time, and the costume contest was great fun - mahalo Robin “Tom Selleck" Graf! 

Charity Walk Kick-off Breakfast

​With the new year comes another Charity Walk, and we are excited to jump-start our Charity Walk momentum earlier than ever before.To allow both private businesses and nonprofits alike more time to fundraise, we are officially inviting you to our Kick-off Recruiter Breakfast on Thursdsay, January 24th. Join us at Pomaikai Ballrooms at 7:30am – each organization may send up to two representatives.
 
Register here to learn about the latest MobileCause features, tips and tricks for fundraising, and to receive all your Charity Walk collateral. See you there!

29th Annual Na Po'e Pa'ahana Awards 

Hawai‘i’s hospitality industry honored the best-of-the-best of its employees at the 29th Annual Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana (the hard-working people) Awards. Nearly a thousand employees, family members, and industry representatives from throughout the state gathered for the luncheon ceremony, which was sponsored by the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, and held at the Sheraton Waikiki yesterday.
 
A total of 65 awards were presented at the event and superbly emceed by KHON2 co-anchors Howard Dashefsky and Marisa Yamane.
 
Mika Kamanao, Front Office VIP Coordinator of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, was named the Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year. Kamanao has 33 years of hospitality industry experience; coupled with her knowledge of Hawaii,  help her to personalize every interaction with Aulani’s most respected guests, which include celebrities, dignitaries, and Make-A-Wish families.
 
Derek Bacigal, Director of Engineering for the Hale Koa Hotel, was awarded Manager of the Year. 28-year-old Bacigal is the youngest Director of Engineering within the Armed Forces Recreation Centers in the State of Hawaii. This millenial supervises maintenance for the 818-room hotel, as well as oversees the renovation projects currently underway at the Hale Koa which total over $108 million.
 
This year’s Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana award winners and runners-up are as follows:
 
Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year
1st Place – Mika Kamanao, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
2nd Place – Nancy Jones, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
3rd Place – Oralani Koa, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas
 
Manager of the Year
1st Place – Derek Bacigal, Hale Koa Hotel
2nd Place – Randi Okuhara, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani
3rd Place – Tylun Pang, Fairmont Kea Lani
 
Bell/Valet Person of the Year
Large Property (over 450 rooms)
1st Place – Dibiano Bontog, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
2nd Place – Christopher Segi, Trump International Hotel Waikiki
3rd Place – Chad Nakamura, The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
 
Medium Property (200-450 rooms)
1st Place – Derek Clemente, The Kahala Hotel & Resort
2nd Place –Vance Patao, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas
3rd Place – Dennis Yap, OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger
 
Small Property (under 200 rooms)
1st Place – Mark Guerrero, Maui Beach Hotel
2nd Place –  Travis Waltman, The Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head
 
Engineering/Maintenance Person of the Year
Large Property (over 450 rooms)
1st Place – Susan Iwasa, The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort
2nd Place – Daven Arcangel, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
3rd Place – Barry Yokoyama, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
 
Medium Property (200-450 rooms)
1st Place – Neal Nitta, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
2nd Place – Anacleto Sagucio, Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach
3rd Place – Pono Kahili, Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk
 
Small Property (under 200 rooms)
1st Place – Brian Perreira, Lawai Beach Resort
2nd Place – Allan Sagucio, Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk
3rd Place – Juan Baptista, Aston Mahala at Kaanapali
 
Food & Beverage Person of the Year
Large Property (over 450 rooms)
1st Place – Patrick Ongjoco, Sheraton Waikiki
2nd Place – Todd Mitsui, Trump International Hotel Waikiki
3rd Place – Kan Wat, Halekulani
 
Medium Property (200-450 rooms)
1st Place – Keola Lasconia, Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk
2nd Place – Raylynn Kanehailua, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Ocean Club
3rd Place – Roger Arrieta, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas
 
Small Property (under 200 rooms)
1st Place – Leonardo Dasig, The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
 
Front Office Person of the Year
Large Property (over 450 rooms)
1st Place – Khrisna Fabian, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
2nd Place – Kelly Ann Wright, Prince Waikiki
3rd Place – Kanoa Lacerdo-Magallanes, Sheraton Waikiki
 
Medium Property (200-450 rooms)
1st Place – Samoa Leilua, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas
2nd Place – Kalili Pavao, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
3rd Place – Lynn Sato, The Kahala Hotel & Resort
 
Small Property (under 200 rooms)
1st Place – Channy-Lyn Motoyama, The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club
2nd Place – Debra Arakaki, Pagoda Hotel
3rd Place – Cassel Kanahele, Hokulani Waikili by Hilton Grand Vacation Club
 
Housekeeping Person of the Year
Large Property (over 450 rooms)
1st Place – Adelina Cambe, Sheraton Waikiki
2nd Place – Merlita Bagalcsa, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
3rd Place – Olive Tuimaunei, Turtle Bay Resort
 
Medium Property (200-450 rooms)
1st Place – Lordy Tamayo, The Kahala Hotel & Resort
2nd Place – Romeo Cabilis, Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach
3rd Place – Idena Bumanglag, Ilikai Hotel & Luxury Suites
 
Small Property (under 200 rooms)
1st Place – Elvira Valmoja, Lawai Beach Resort
2nd Place – Cecelia Rabang, The Lotus Hotel at Diamond Head
3rd Place – Dominador “Domi” Flores, Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons – Kalanipu‘u
 
Security Officer of the Year
Large Property (over 450 rooms)
1st Place – Kenneth Coyaso, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club
2nd Place – Anthony “Tony” Kaahanui, Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa
3rd Place – Marcus Curimao, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
 
Medium Property (200-450 rooms)
1st Place – James LaFave, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
2nd Place – Si’i Savou, The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas
3rd Place – Donald “Dondi” Viquelia, Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club
 
Small Property (under 200 rooms)
1st Place – George Tandal, Sr., Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons – Kalanipu‘u
 
Allied Member of the Year
Interstate Restoration
 
Allied Individual Member of the Year
Carol Shimomura
 
Leader in Sustainability Award
HYATT Hotels Hawaii
 
Hospitality Educator of the Year
Lorelle Peros, University of Hawai‘i – Maui
 
Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Legacy Award
Tihati Productions
 
Excellence in Community Service Award
Hanalei Colony Resort
 
Woman of the Year Award
Laura Richards, Hanalei Colony Resort.
 
Pūlamahia Award
Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel
 
Chef/Restaurateur of the Year
John Salcedo, RUMFIRE, Sheraton Waikiki