Mufi's Message 1.10.20

30th Annual Na Po'e Pa'ahana Awards

​Yesterday, 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 Affairs

On 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. ​