Mufi's Message 4.26.19

Generational Mentoring Graduation

​Tuesday, April 23rd denoted the culmination of the third class of our Generational Mentoring Program. The commemorative graduation luncheon was held at The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa where program co-founder Art Sarkissian, Founder of Here & Now Consulting, and HLTA Chairperson Glenn Vergara, joined me in presenting graduation certificates to the mentors and mentees.
 
The fifteen university student mentees were nominated by their educational institutions and completed a 6-month curriculum under the tutelage of top executives from Hawaii’s visitor industry. During this time, the mentor and mentee pairs worked on personal branding, emotional intelligence, and a litany of both personal and professional development skills.
 
Congratulations to our latest group of graduates!
 
Mahalo to the university faculty who provide our nominees: Prof. Stephen Lundgren of BYU – Hawaii; Dr. Wendy Lam of HPU; Dean Thomas Bingham of UH Manoa, and Dr. Derrek Choy of UH West Oahu.

I would also like to extend a special thank you to our wonderful member mentors, who generously gave their time, energy and effort to teaching these eager students.
 
Mahalo to:
Kimberly Agas, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Julie Arigo, Halepuna Waikiki
Jim Braman, the Cliffs at Princeville
Michael Czarcinski, The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
Thomas Foti, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Christina Gabriel, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club
Gerald Glennon, The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Ed Gunderson, The Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo – A DoubleTree by Hilton
Kansas Henderson, The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Kelly Hoen, Outrigger Reef and Outrigger Waikiki Resorts
Scott Ingwers, Trump International Hotel Waikiki
Simeon Miranda, Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk
Teri Orton, Hawaii Convention Center
Doug Sears, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
Cheryl Williams, Highgate Hotels

University of Hawaii at Manoa Travel Industry Management "Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism" Dinner 

​Tuesday evening, HLTA Staff and Board Members attended the UH Manoa “Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism” gala at the Sheraton Waikiki. 
 
Given that this event honored three members of HLTA, we were proud to support such worthy awardees and happily attended with HLTA Chairperson and UH TIM alum, Glenn Vergara, as well as TIM alum, HLTA former Vice President, and current pre-opening General Manager for ESPACIO by Aqua-Aston, Dean Nakasone. 
 
HTA President Chris Tatum, former HLTA Chairperson Gregg Nelson, HLTA Board Members Carol Shimomura and Simeon Miranda, MHLA Executive Director Lisa Paulson, and HLTA members from The Page Group in support of this staple industry evening also joined us in support of this event. 
 
Congratulations to all the night’s honorees: the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA), Lee-Ann Wong Choy of Pacific Rim Concepts, and the lady of the hour, Mrs. Vicky Cayetano, President & CEO of United Laundry Services.  Vicky’s long history of leadership in our industry, as well as the community, is admirable and truly appreciated. Her daughter Marissa Ross of Standard Textiles, is also an active HLTA Member, who’s involved in the Hospitality Housekeeping Council and is a former HYPE Allied Chair. 
 
Last year, HLTA was bestowed the honor of the 2018 TIM Distinguished Service Award, and HLTA Board Member Jerry Gibson was inducted into the TIM Hall of Honor. Congratulations to all our members, and the TIM School Award Recipients - “we’re all in this together.”

2019 Visitor Industry Charity Walk

To watch the clip, please click here! 

​As Charity Walk rapidly approaches, I thought it would be fun to share each county’s current total with you all. As of 6pm Thursday evening, the tallies stand at:
 
Maui County: $124,416
Kauai County: $104,693
Oahu County: $54,966
Hawai’i County: $12,712
 
We encourage you ,if you’re feeling competitive, generous, or maybe a bit of both like me, to donate now to any island, using the links below.
 
Lanai        -     Molokai      -        Maui       -      Kauai     -       Hawaii       -     Oahu
 
And don’t forget that Oahu will be launching Hawaii’s first 1K Slippah Walk on May 18th; registration is available through the Charity Walk registration as well!
 
I hope I’ll see you out there.