2026 Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Awards

Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Sheraton Waikiki 
​10:30 - 1:30

2026 Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Award Winners: 
Small Property: <300 rooms 
Large Property: >300 rooms 

​Activities, Culture & Experience Person of the Year 
Small Property 

• First Place: Paul "Punahele" Andrade, Cultural Aloha Ambassador, Westin Hapuna Beach Resort 
• Second Place: Kaulu Amaral, Mea Ho'okipa, Four Seasons Resort Hualālai 
• Third Place: Brenn Miller, Pool and Events Ambassador, Wayfinder Waikiki 

Large Property 

• First Place: Amy Newcomb, Activities Operations Supervisor, Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club 
• Second Place: Danielle King, Therapist/Esthetician, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaʻanapali 
• Third Place: Wesley Companion, Recreation Assistant (Lead Lifeguard), Hale Koa Hotel 

Bell & Valet Person of the Year 
Small Property 

• First Place: Robert Pena Jr., Bell/Valet Attendant, Coconut Waikiki Hotel 
• Second Place: Keolaikaika Andaya, Lead Bell/Valet Attendant, Wayfinder Waikiki 
• Third Place: John Parker, Bell, Bell/Valet Attendant, Ohia Waikiki Studio Suites 

Large Property 

• First Place: Ian Aotaki, Bell Attendant, Westin Nanea Ocean Villas 
• Second Place: William Stamp, Bell Person, Hale Koa Hotel 
• Third Place: Jesse Victorino, Bell/Valet Operations Supervisor, Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club 

Engineer & Maintenance Person of the Year, presented by Hawaii Gas 
Small Property 

• First Place: Jonathan Clarin, Maintenance Tech III, Club Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk 
• Second Place: Jason Puahi, Maintenance Supervisor, The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club 
• Third Place: Nelson Cubero, Maintenance Engineer FT, Royal Grove Waikiki 

Large Property 

• First Place: Vergel Lonzaga, Pool Maintenance Engineer, Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott Maui 
• Second Place: Zoilo Relator, Engineer II, The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay 
• Third Place: Kanoe Medeiros, Engineering Coordinator, Westin Nanea Ocean Villas 

 
Food & Beverage Person of the Year, presented by Pepsi Hawaii 
Small Property 

• First Place: Michele Desilva, Barista, Four Seasons Resort Hualālai 
• Second Place: Luther Seaton, Beverage Meridia Bartender 1, Westin Hapuna Beach Resort 
• Third Place: Jacques Kalawe, Beverage Hau Tree Bartender II, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel 

Large Property 

• First Place: Frederick “Freddie” Sconfienza, Mixologist/Lifestyle Bartender, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali 
• Second Place: Lara Marin Mitchell, Server, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua 
• Third Place: Sean Morihara, Waithelp, The Kahala Hotel & Resort 

Front Office Person of the Year 
Small Property 

• First Place: Neizel Chambers, Guest Service Agent, Aston at The Executive Centre 
• Second Place: Bronson Maulupe Kanae, Front Desk Supervisor, Hampton Inn & Suites Maui North Shore 
• Third Place: Yuko Tanaka, Guest Service Agent, Club Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk 

Large Property 

• First Place: Dana Lee, Lead Hotel Customer Service Agent, Hale Koa Hotel 
• Second Place: Walter Yang, Guest Service Agent Working Supervisor, The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort 
• Third Place: Shona Lam Ho, Reservations Supervisor, Ala Moana Hotel by MANTRA 

Housekeeper of the Year, presented by United Laundry Services, LLC 
Small Property 

• First Place: Charie Aguinaldo, Housekeeping Supervisor, The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club 
• Second Place: Avelino Javier, Housekeeping Senior, Marriott Vacation Club, Waikiki 
• Third Place: Filma Lagario, Room Attendant, Kaimana Beach Hotel 

Large Property 

• First Place: Freddie Llamas, General Cleaner, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa 
• Second Place: Lorenda Mamotos, Housekeeper I - Rooms, Halekulani 
• Third Place: Carlos Ong, Housekeeping - Public Area Attendant, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach 

​Security Officer of the Year, presented by Securitas 
Small Property 

• First Place: Peter Colburn Jr., Safety & Security Operations Supervisor, Marriott Vacation Club, Waikiki 
• Second Place: Manuel Moniz, Security Guard, Pacific 19 Kona 
• Third Place: Jesse Hudson, Safety and Security Officer, Westin Hapuna Beach Resort 

Large Property 

• First Place: Allen Salvador, Security Supervisor, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kāʻanapali 

• Second Place: Edward Wolf, Security Associate, The Modern, a Hilton Vacation Club 

• Third Place: Malia To’oto’o, Safety & Security Officer, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club 

Manager of the Year, presented by Beachside Roofing 

• First Place: Craig Tanaka, Director of Security and Safety, Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott Maui 

• Second Place: Ryan Corpuz, F&B Manager, Westin Nanea Ocean Villas 

• Third Place: Lawrence Wong, Director of Restaurants, Marriott's Maui Ocean Club 

​Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, presented by Domino’s Pizza Hawaii 

• First Place: Kama Kane, Activities Supervisor, Westin Nanea Ocean Villas 

• Second Place: Edmund "Buster" Civerolo, Bellman, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa 

• Third Place: Clarina Ladera, Laundry Worker, Halekulani 

 
HLTA Allied Member of the Year, presented by Trinity Investments: Roberts Hawaii 
 
Sustainability Leader of the Year: Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui  
 
Pūlamahia Award (Perpetuating the Native Hawaiian Culture): Four Seasons Resort Hualālai 
 
Young Professional of the Year: Romeo Aguinaldo, Springboard Hospitality 
 
Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Legacy Award, presented by T S Restaurants: Na Leo Pilimehana

Mahalo again to our amazing sponsors:

Trinity Investments
T S Restaurants
Hawai'i Gas
Pepsi Hawai‘i
United Laundry Services, LLC
Securitas
Beachside Roofing
Domino's Pizza Hawai'i
Orchid Lei Company
Tihati Productions
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines ​

2025 ​Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Awards.