Mufi's Message 9.28.18

Lynette Eastman, Hotel Management’s 2018 GM to Watch

On behalf of the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, I would like to send a heartfelt congratulations to Lynette Eastman, General Manager of Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club. She has just been named to the “2018 GM to Watch” list by Hotel Management magazine. The title of “2018 GM to Watch” is bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate commitment to their guests, their company, and their industry. In 2016, Lynette was the HLTA Woman of the Year. She is heavily involved in our Visitor Industry Charity Walk, has been a mentor in our Generational Mentoring program, has continuously nominated outstanding finalists for the Na Po’e Pa’ahana Awards, and often helps to provide rooms for our Return Victim Program in partnership with the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
 
Lynette’s compassion and creative thinking have helped her to integrate sustainability programs, such as their plastic-free initiative and Aqua-Aston Hospitality’s #ForOurReef Program, which entails educating her guests and associates alike about the ramifications and impacts of single-use plastic and safe reef practices. As a proud Waipahu High School graduate, she has worked hard to provide a venue to showcase live Hawaiian entertainment in the heart of Waikiki. Congratulations Lynette for winning this prestigious award! ​

IT Council: Cybersecurity Luncheon, Tuesday 10/2

HLTA’s Hospitality IT Council is proud to present “Strategies to Stay Ahead of Malicious Threats & Sharing Hospitality Industry Lessons Learned.” This luncheon and educational seminar will be held at the Kahala Hotel and Resort on Tuesday, October 2nd, and is free of charge, thanks to sponsor Hawaiian Telcom. Cybersecurity is of the utmost importance, especially in the hospitality industry, and this is a wonderful opportunity to learn from a seasoned expert.

HIP: General Election Edition 10/22 Tickets Now Available

Please join us at our next Hospitality Industry Pau Hana (HIP) at Blue Note Hawaii on Monday, October 22nd from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. We invite you to meet HLTA’s endorsed General Election Candidates in an evening of fellowship, ono food, and live music. Hosted parking will be available at the OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger.  We are excited to host our HIP events at different locations, giving our members the opportunity to experience the diversity of venues within our industry.  A big mahalo to Outrigger Hotels & Resorts as well as Blue Note Hawaii and Duke’s Waikiki for co- sponsoring our upcoming HIP. I look forward to seeing you all there!

Waikiki Parc Renovation

October 1, 2018 will mark a new chapter for the Waikiki Parc Hotel, Halekulani’s boutique sister property, as they start their complete renovation project.  Built in 1987, the Waikiki Parc celebrated their 31st birthday yesterday on their pool deck, in anticipation of their exciting new look.  I would like to send a heartfelt congratulations to the Waikiki Parc’s General Manger, Julie Arigo, who chaired the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association in 2013 and was one of the driving forces behind the formation of WIL - Women in Lodging of HLTA. For many years, Julie, a distinguished UH TIM School alum has continued to be an integral member of Halekulani and Hawai‘i’s hospitality industry. Julie’s dedication and care is characterized by her 25-year commitment to both her hotel and her associates, a characteristic that will surely carry over through the hotel’s renovations.  As we open the pages of a new chapter of the “ Waikiki Parc,” we wish Julie and her cohorts our best wishes for continued success in the years ahead! ​

Nominations Now Open for the 2019 Na Po'e Pa'ahana Awards

For those of you who may have missed our email blast earlier this week, I would like to send out a reminder that the 2019 Na Po’e Pa’ahana Awards nominations are officially open.  The Na Po’e Pa’ahana Awards, now in its 29th year, honor exceptional individuals within the visitor industry who have excelled in their workplace, have displayed a commitment to the community, and continuously cultivate the spirit of aloha in all that they do. 
 
Last year, we introduced a new format for the awards which recognized finalists in small, medium, and large sized properties.  We will continue this new tradition in the categories of:

• Bell/Valet Person of the Year
• Housekeeper of the Year
• Security Officer of the Year
• Front Desk Person of the Year
• Food & Beverage Person of the Year
• Engineer & Maintenance Person of the Year

The lodging categories that will remain with one class of finalists will be the “manager of the year” and the “outstanding lodging employee of the year”.
 
In addition to the hotel category awards, we will continue to present our exclusive individual and company awards which include: Allied Member of the Year, Hospitality Educator of the Year, Leader in Sustainability, Restaurateur of the Year, Women in Lodging & Tourism's Woman of the Year, and the Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Legacy award. 
 
This year, at the behest of our chairman Gregg Nelson, we will be introducing the Individual Allied Member of the Year award, which will recognize a person from our allied membership who has gone above and beyond the call for our association and our industry.
 
This event, which we often dub “The Oscars of Hospitality,” is one of our flagship events of the year and certainly not one to miss.   The awards luncheon will be held on January 10, 2018 at the Sheraton Waikiki from 11 am – 2 pm.  Stay tuned for more details on the nominations as well as table and ticket sales. If you have any questions about the Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Awards, feel free to contact Jared Higashi of my staff at jhigashi@hawaiilodging.org.