3 MB PDF - Saturday Briefing

September 4, 2010
Duke’s OceanFest—Celebrating
Hawai‘i’s Greatest Waterman
Asia Momentum
Builds
The Duke’s OceanFest has become a summer tradition with thousands
venturing to Waikīkī every August to enjoy a week of great ocean activities in
celebration and tribute to Hawai‘i’s greatest waterman, Duke Kahanamoku. This
year was no different, with the waters off Waikīkī filled with water enthusiasts
of all kinds, while spectators lined the beach to enjoy the spectacle of close to
900 ocean athletes competing in surfing, surf polo, ocean swimming, stand-up
paddling, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, and legends events.
(Dr. Richard Kelley is traveling. His column will return next week.)
By Nancy Daniels
Continued on page 3
Outrigger’s men’s team was the most stylish surf team this year with custom-made board shorts
by Hawaii designer Sig Zane. From left to right are Brian Berusch of Oahu Publications,
Dr. Chuck Kelley, Sig Zane, Hugh O’Reilly of FX Productions, and surf legend Ben Aipa
By David Carey
Last week, Mel Kaneshige and I had a
chance to visit some of our present and future
locations in Asia. The main focus of the trip was
the official signing celebration for the Outrigger
Vinh Hoi Bay Resort and Spa located in Quy
Nhon in Vietnam. Our hotel is to be a part of an
800 acre mixed use Vinh Hoi Bay Golf Resort
with four other internationally-branded hotels,
a Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course, Vietnam’s
first equestrian center, hiking trails, and local
marketplace, all nestled in a spectacular secluded
bay with 1.7 miles of white sand beach.
The Vinh Hoi Bay Golf Resort is the first large
scale tourist development in Binh Dinh province
and is particularly important to the economic
development and diversification of the province,
which has been largely dependent on a traditional
agricultural and fishing economy. Because of
this, both the developer, ITC Spectrum LLC,
and the provincial government wanted to hold a
formal ceremony to celebrate the signing of the
management contracts for the first three hotels
- Ritz Carlton, J. W. Marriott, and Outrigger.
Mel, Darren Edmonstone, and I flew to Phu
Cat Airport, a short one-hour flight from Ho Chi
Minh City (Saigon) Airport. Phu Cat Airport
served as an American airbase during the Vietnam
war and now serves as an important gateway to the
world for Quy Nhon City in Binh Dinh Province.
Binh Dinh province (population of roughly
1.5 million people) is an evolving region that is
transforming itself from mainly a rural agricultural
and fishing area into an international resort and
industrial community. The provincial government
has made tremendous investments in road, sewer,
Continued on page 8
Saturday Briefing
Page Happy Birthday!
Sept 15: Cary T. Hirayama, Clara H.
Graciidis, Kathleen A. Reese, Gladys
R. Nagatori, Cynthia R. Huston, and
Ashley K. Cabradilla.
Sept 16: Peter M. Alisna, Dip Ying
Leung, Shirley T. Cabida, Eden
Hontonares Agcaoili, Melanie Y. Chan,
and Peni N. Faleta.
Sept 17: Alyssa M. Bailey, Vicky L. Navasca,
George S. Thronas Jr., Ronald K. Ogata,
Robert J.V. Udaundo, and Lyle Otsuka.
Sept 18: Gail E. Waddoups, Randy
S. Acasio, Van Hong Nguyen, and
Donnella K. Frantz.
Sept 19: Luke S. Hamada, Qiao Lian Li,
Steve Hwan Hu, Abraham T. Pinehaka,
and Michele A. Nagamine.
Sept 20: Mary Lontoc, Shane P. Goldstein,
Karen Y. Emoto, John A. McDonald,
Lydia M. Paguirigan, and Sandy Y.L. Lee.
Sept 21: Panfilo D. Malicdem, Carla Van
Vliet, Earl S. Endo, Jholito T. Abadilla,
Creighton J. Young, Daniel K. Meaney,
Saane Tone Tanaka, Mark N.R. Godoy,
and Estelle Marie Kelley.
Employment Opportunities
If you are interested in the positions listed below and meet the qualifications,
you may apply online. Please go to WWW.OUTRIGGER.COM, click on
ABOUT OUTRIGGER, then EMPLOYMENT. We only accept online
applications for the open-listed positions from internal candidates. If you have any
questions, please call Chad Teramae at (808) 921-6989. Application deadline for
the following positions is September 10, 2010.
Guest Service Representative (On Call)
Must have at least one year customer service and cashiering experience, preferably
in the hospitality industry. Must have basic computer skills and ability to type
30 wpm. Must also be a team player with excellent communication skills and
flexibility to work any day and shift.
Public Relations Coordinator (Full Time)
College degree in Public Relations or related field required. A minimum of two
years Communications/Public Relations experience in a high-paced environment
preferred. Must have excellent computer skills, including but not limited to
Microsoft Office, FileMaker, Internet, and current social medias. Must also have
excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to read and analyze
correspondence, proposals, and budgetary reports.
Lead Server/Busser (Full Time)
High school diploma required. College degree in Culinary Arts or related
field preferred. One year proven supervisory experience in a Food & Beverage
environment. Must have a thorough knowledge of F&B operations, including but
not limited to Foods, Beverages, and Service techniques. Must be able to work
under pressure and remain professional when dealing with employees and guests.
Must have excellent verbal and written communication and computer skills.
“Call the Coach” Show Back at Kani Ka Pila Grille
By Nancy Daniels
The popular “Call the Coach” radio show, with University of Hawai‘i Warrior football Coach Greg McMackin and ESPN
1420’s Bobby Curran, is back at Kani Ka Pila Grille. The first program was held August 31 to a near sell-out crowd, as Coach
Mac talked about this year’s team and previewed
the September 2 UH vs. USC game.
The hour-long gridiron show will be
broadcast live at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday through
November when the team is in town, with the
exception of Monday, September 6.
Kani Ka Pila Grille’s regular menu is
available for those who want to snack while
listening to the show, and $5 validated valet
parking is available with a restaurant purchase.
Mark your calendars:
ESPN 1420’s Bobby Curran, Director of Sales & Marketing Patsy Narimatsu,
and Coach Mac kick-off “Call the Coach” radio show
Saturday Briefing
Page Monday, Sept 6
Tuesday, Oct 26
Tuesday, Sept 21
Tuesday, Nov 2
Tuesday, Sept 28
Tuesday, Nov 9
Tuesday, Oct 5
Tuesday, Nov 16
Tuesday, Oct 12
Tuesday, Nov 23
Tuesday, Oct 19
Tuesday, Nov 30
Duke’s OceanFest
Celebrating Hawai‘i’s Greatest Waterman
Continued from page 1
Outrigger has been a part
local blogger Catherine Toth of
of Duke’s OceanFest since it
The Daily Dish, Crystal Akana
first began in 2002, and over
of Island 98.5, and JoJo Howard
the past nine years, the festival
from the Outrigger Reef’s Beach
Services stand.
has grown to become Waikīkī’s
premier ocean sports festival
While our teams didn’t quite
celebrating the life and legacy
make it to the top of the finishers’
of Duke Kahanamou, as well as
list in the Hawaiian Airlines Duke’s
the greatness of Hawai‘i’s most
Legends Surf Classic, both teams
famous beach resort – Waikīkī!
did garner a lot of attention during
the two-day competition – the
The Duke’s OceanFest is
men because of the stylish board
truly an international event with
shorts designed by team member
competitors and spectators coming
Sig Zane, and the women because
from around the world to be a
they were truly the best looking
part of the week-long celebration.
team on the beach!
This year, in addition to the ocean
activities being broadcast to our
Last year, the Outrigger
The Outrigger Women’s team in this year’s OceanFest included radio
local market courtesy of Oceanic
Reef held a special poolside
personality Crystal Akana from Clear Channel, blogger Catherine Toth of The
Time Warner, the event was also
movie showing in celebration
Daily Dish, JoJo Howard from Outrigger Beach Services at the Outrigger Reef,
streamed live around the world,
of OceanFest. This year, instead
surf legend Nancy Emerson, and Amber-Lynn Hyden of KITV4
which meant millions were able
of one, there were two nights
to tune in and see all the excitement, as well as get a first-hand look
of movies for fans to enjoy. On Friday, August 27, Outrigger
at some of the attributes that make Hawai‘i the dream-vacation
joined MGM and Oceanic Time Warner in presenting a special
destination that it is – the bright sunshine, gorgeous blue ocean, and
screening of John Severson’s surf documentary Pacific Vibrations,
people having fun on the beach and in the water.
which has been digitally re-mastered in high definition. On
hand to answer questions and sign autographs was surf legend
Once again, Outrigger had two teams competing in the
and ‘star’ of the movie Jock Sutherland. The following night,
Duke’s Legends Surf Classic. It was “déjà vu” with a repeat of
it was a repeat of the film shown last year, The Ride. Written
last year’s teams. The men’s team featured our own Dr. Chuck
and produced by local filmmaker Nathan Kurosawa, the story
Kelley, along with clients and media friends Hugh O’Reilly of
tells the tale of a surfer who is carried back in time to 1911 and
FX Productions, Brian Berusch of O‘ahu Publications, and local
meets a young Duke Kahanamoku. On hand to sign autographs
designer Sig Zane. Our men’s legend this year was waterman
were several stars of the movie, including local entertainer
Ben Aipa. The women’s team was led by surf legend Nancy
Weldon Kekauoha, who also is the Kani Ka Pila Grille featured
Emerson; joining Nancy were Amber-Lynn Hyden of KITV4,
performer every Tuesday evening.
A particularly colorful event that brings the week-long
festivities to an end is the Surf Board Lei Procession and Lei
Draping at the Duke Kahanamoku statue, a tradition that was
started by the staff of the Outrigger Waikiki in 2002. Throughout
the day, beautiful lei were assembled at the Outrigger Waikiki. In
the afternoon, the lei were draped across surfboards and carried to
the statue. Following a ceremony that included local dignitaries,
the lei were draped on the arms and around the neck of the statue,
with our own Ethan Chang of the Outrigger Waikiki assisting
with this very important duty.
The statue of Duke Kahanamoku is always an impressive
site, with his arms stretched out welcoming all to the beach
at Waikīkī. With the addition of the colorful lei, the statue
is even more magnificent. What a wonderful way to pay
homage to Hawaii’s “official” Ambassador of Aloha and the
“Father of International Surfing.”
Duke’s OceanFest proceeds go to the Outrigger Duke
Kahanamoku Foundation’s (ODKF) college scholarships and
Dr. Chuck Kelley is presented with a mahalo certificate by OceanFest
athletic grants program that supports outstanding Hawai‘i
Coordinator Jim Fulton for Outrigger’s long support of Duke’s OceanFest
scholar-athletes competing in water sports and volleyball.
Saturday Briefing
Page Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji
August Get Together
By Una Murray
Chief Engineer Basant Kumar opened the
Monthly Get Together for the Outrigger on the
Lagoon – Fiji (FOR) vuvale (family) with a prayer,
followed by General Manager Peter Hopgood
providing a warm welcome speech, thanking the staff
for all their hard work and ongoing commitment
to the community. He reminded us to maintain
our Bula Spirit for which the FOR has become
well known and welcomed new recruits to the
Community Training Team, wishing them all the
best in their new duties. Peter also announced the
Fiji Coral Coast Seven Tournament to be held on
November 19 and 20 and the Bamboo Boat Race
(Bilibili) on October 11, and that the FOR will be
hosting ten-year anniversaries in November. He then
enthusiastically reported record occupancies in June,
July, and August with more good months to come!
Assistant Chief Engineer Binoy Gounder
congratulated and presented August’s awards to:
Front of House
Sakaraia Diani
Manager of the Month Eddie Liwaiono and General Manager Peter Hopgood
Back of House
Kuini Nakurukuru
Manager of the Month
Eddie Liwaiono
How Can I Help
Mohammed Ali
Here to Help
Salote Bali
Recognition Award
Vasiti Qaraniqio
Engineering Administration Assistant
Jane Turaga presented August’s community
project, where on an early Saturday morning,
the Engineering staff traveled to Koroinasau
District School and spent five hours painting,
and repairing the ceiling and roofing. The
school has 150 children, and Headmaster
and staff were all impressed and very happy
with the new look of the school. The Sales
department, who started the project over a
year ago, will top off the project in November.
Employee Relations Manager Ashika Devi
gave out Bula Spirit vouchers with staff trying
their luck at the spinning wheel to win assorted
prizes, and the Get Together ended with the
usual tasty treats, coffee, and tea.
Saturday Briefing
Page Back of House winner Kuini Nakurukuru, Peter Hopgood,
and Here to Help winner Salote Bali
Recognition Award winner Vasiti Qaraniqio, Peter Hopgood,
and Front of House winner Sakaraia Diani
Aloha United Way
Campaign 2010
Mastering English at the
Outrigger Laguna Phuket
You don’t have to look far to see how Aloha United Way
(AUW) positively affects our community. Just highlighting a
few of last year’s initiatives, as part of its focus on five ‘Impact
Areas’, Aloha United Way:
The Banyan Tree Academy is an English language
and computer training centre that enables participants to
increase their language competencies and computer skills so
they are better able to perform their daily work functions.
Congratulations to Khun Piyanart Tesnork, who
received the top exam score in her English Telephone class
and to Khun Naruemol Suksawas, who was also awarded
the top exam score in her English Food & Beverage class.
Certificates of achievement were presented to them by
Learning Division-English of Banyan Tree Academy Executives.
Congratulations, Khun Piyanart and Khun Naruemol!
By Char Luning & Kathy Foley
• provided over 7,200 homeless or uninsured people with
medical care.
• helped the Hawaii Foodbank and its network of food
pantries to provide over 163,000 meals to those in need.
• helped 336 adults and 303 children escape from domestic
violence situations.
• funded programs helping 419 potential dropouts
complete their high school education or equivalent.
• funded programs that provided training to 1390 teens
addressing safe sex practices and preventing HIV, STDs,
and pregnancy.
Outrigger Enterprises Group has been a long-time
supporter of Aloha United Way and its mission to improve
lives, motivate people to help others, increase resources to meet
needs, and inspire collective solutions to community problems.
Each year at this time, we ask for your kokua in helping
AUW care for Hawai‘i’s people. With your help, they have
raised millions of dollars for health and human services,
brought together the efforts of thousands of volunteers, and
helped build a stronger, healthier community.
This year’s campaign for O‘ahu runs from August 31
through October 8, and Outrigger’s O‘ahu Coordinator
Rally is scheduled for Thursday, September 9. A
representative from each property/department will be
invited to this event to receive information and supplies for
their campaigns.
You may, as always, designate where you want your
donation to go, or let knowledgeable volunteers on Impact
Councils assess community needs to determine how dollars are
distributed based on need. Either way, know that 100 percent
of your donation goes to support Hawai‘i non-profits.
So when you are asked to kokua, know that every little
bit helps, and together, we can improve the quality of life in
Hawaii ~ sharing the love by living united.
By Khun Paew Chanantho
Learning Division-English of Banyan Tree Academy Executives present
Khun Piyanart (second from left) and Khun Naruemol (second from right)
with their top exam score certificates
Saturday Briefing is published
by and for employees of
Outrigger Enterprises Group (OEG)
Editor-In-Chief: Richard Kelley
Senior Editor: Kathy Foley
Supervising Editor: Contributing Writers: Pila Hanson
Employees of OEG
Visit us online at: www.saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com
More information is available on the AUW website, auw.org.
For Outrigger campaign questions, please contact Charlene
Luning at 921-6951 or [email protected].
Mahalo for your continued support!
Submissions to Kathy Foley at [email protected],
via interoffice mail to OEH/HR, or by phone at (808) 921-6957.
© 2010 Outrigger Hotels Hawaii
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Saturday Briefing
Page Making Francis Borrell’s Wish
Come True
By Susan Sunderland
OHANA Waikiki
East Celebrates the
Paddle Process
By Alan Naito
Bill Comstock, Patsy Narimatsu with Francis Borrell
On the morning after the United States declared an end to combat
operations in Iraq, another moment of American patriotism was taking place
in the lobby of Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Ninety-five-year-old WWII
veteran Francis Borrell was escorted through an arcade of American flags on
Wednesday morning to an awaiting sedan that took him on a journey to Pearl
Harbor to make a dream come true.
Borrell, who suffers from lung cancer, wished to visit the USS Missouri
battleship, anchored at Pearl Harbor, on the anniversary of Victory over Japan
(VJ) Day. Dream Foundation, the first and largest national non-profit focused
on fulfilling the dreams of adults facing life-limiting illness, contacted military
authorities and Outrigger Enterprises Group to fulfill this special request.
Borrell served on the “Mighty Mo” as a Second Class Gunner’s Mate during
World War II and witnessed the surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945. His
trip coincides with the 65th anniversary of Japan’s surrender.
Last month Borrell and his daughter, Barbara Borrell, wrote to Dream
Foundation with an urgent request to go back to the Missouri, now
decommissioned and a major visitor attraction on O‘ahu.
“This trip is a homecoming,” said Borrell, as he met Outrigger Reef General
Manager Bill Comstock and Director of Sales & Marketing Patsy Narimatsu.
“I’m able to pay my respects to the brave men with whom I served and the ship
that made such an impact on my life and service.”
Borrell has been officially honored and inaugurated into five Veterans
Museums. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy in 1947, he worked
his way up through the ranks at IBM for 30 years until his retirement. He lives in
retirement in Orlando, Florida.
Our honored guests were accompanied by members of the Dream
Foundation and a crew from NBC Nightly News who covered his dream trip
to Hawai‘i. As Borrell’s motorcade, escorted by the Patriot Guard Motorcycle
Riders, roared out of the hotel’s porte cochere, it was a reminder of the real
bottom line in the hospitality business.
We make dreams come true.
Saturday Briefing
Page On August 24, the OHANA Waikiki East
(OEH) celebrated Paddles 1 and 2 of our 6Paddles Process - ‘ohana style!
Our own Clayton Pono Umiiwi kicked
off the occasion with a Hawaiian chant and
blessing. I welcomed our ‘ohana, and Alaka‘i
Maile Okuma shared how the Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a
Process began and the implementation of
the 6-Paddles Process. A Spanish blessing
was articulately given by our Guest Service
Manager Denise Torres, and the food tasting
was on in celebration of Paddle 2 – Celebrating
Where We Come From.
A multi-cultural feast was represented by
the different ethnicities of our ‘ohana: China
(chow mein, salt and pepper shrimp, and BBQ
spare ribs); Korea (chap chae, kal bi, and kim
chee); Japan (salmon sashimi with shiso leaves
and sushi); the Philippines (lumpia, pinatbet,
and pancit); Puerto Rico (pasteles and Spanish
rice); and Hawai‘i (poke, kalua pig and
cabbage, and lomi salmon). For Paddle 1, Celebrating Who We Are,
we showed a video of our ‘ohana sharing what
their favorite mountains, valleys, and oceans
are, and Maile Okuma entertained employees
and guests of the hotel with a hula to Keali‘i
Reichel’s ‘Ohana Mele.
We got a head start on Paddle 3,
Celebrating What We Do, by using the
proceeds from a recently presented safety
award to purchase some of the food enjoyed
at this celebration. During a recent flooding
of the hotel, OEH employees stepped up
in the emergency and did so quickly and
safely, resulting in recognition by our Risk
Management department. This was a testament
to What We do, and our Paddle Process
celebration was the perfect time to celebrate.
A good time was had by both employees
and guests who experienced what it means to
live our values of Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a.
Mahalo to Yuet Oy Au, Maile Okuma,
Denise Torres, and the employees at the
OHANA Waikiki East Hotel who entertained,
cooked, and planned a spectacular Paddle event!
Photos on page 7
OHANA Waikiki East Celebrates the Paddle Process
Continued from page 6
Mr. Japan Alan Naito, Ms. Hawai‘i Maile Okuma,
and a guest from “The Big Apple”
Pono Umuiwi kicks-off the Paddle celebration with an oli
Ms. Hawai‘i Maile Okuma, Ms. Philippines Milagros Javier, Ms. Korea Clara Han,
Jean Rolles, and Ms. Puerto Rico Denise Torres
Dr. Chuck Kelley and Ms. China Jing Yu Wu
Mr. Japan Alan Naito with Yuet Oy Au
Pilar Calumpit, Cecilia Ferrer, Rosita Rosete, Ms. Philippines Milagros Javier, Primo Agasid,
and Joselyn Valenzuela celebrate where they come from
Saturday Briefing
Page Asia Momentum Builds
Continued from page 1
and water infrastructure to facilitate growth of industry and
tourism—and the accompanying employment for its citizens—
in the future. Much of the investment is being made around
Quy Nhon, a city of about 320,000 residents. Mr. Nguyen
Van Thien, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Binh Dinh
Province, proudly explained to us that he believes that tourism
will be a key component of improved economic prosperity
for his constituents. The overall Vinh Hoi resort development
alone is expected to create some 4,500 new jobs.
The formal ceremony was attended by hotel personnel, local
government officials, and members of the press. Representatives
from Outrigger and Marriott International formally inked their
respective deals (see top photo right). I even had the chance to do a
brief interview for the television station.
We then had an opportunity to visit the site, which is
located 15 miles north of Quy Nhon on a spectacular 100-meter
wide beach surrounded by green hills with very distinctive rock
outcroppings (see middle photo right). The master developer, Mr.
Canh Tran of ITC Spectrum, has envisioned a well thought out
project that I believe will be among the best, if not the best, mixed
use resorts in Vietnam. Design for the 210 room hotel and 46
private villa Outrigger resort on the site will get underway shortly,
with an opening planned for late 2013.
After Vietnam, Mel Kaneshige and I visited our regional office
in Phuket, Thailand, and the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort
and Villas. We had the full tour of the 69-villa resort, including all
of the front and back of the house areas that are located in some
converted three- and four-bedroom villas. Our team has had to
make do with the existing buildings, while the rest of the resort is
being built out. Sounds familiar to Outrigger employees here in
Hawaii doesn’t it? We also had a chance to visit other areas now
under construction, which will contain the resort’s real front desk,
offices, back of house, restaurants - all of which is scheduled to be
completed next August. Until then, our crew will make do, as they
have for the last nine months.
We also had a chance to participate in an employees’
awards ceremony, and it was great to see the pride that each
of the winners took in his or her job. Our Outrigger Laguna
team has had a wonderful start since putting the resort under
the Outrigger flag in December of last year. Their friendliness,
enthusiasm, and professionalism was clearly evident throughout
our visit. Congratulations to Darren Edmonstone and his staff in
assembling such a wonderful group of employees.
Lastly, we also visited our Outrigger Asia regional office
(see bottom photo right) and heard from Darren Edmonstone,
Michael Cowan, Pieter Van Der Hoeven, Bob Merrigan, and
Damian Clowes on the progress that we are making in other
areas of Asia. After a short four years since we started our Asia
initiative, we have two hotels open and running in Bali and
Phuket, have signed contracts for properties in Bali, Hainan
Island, China, and Vietnam, and are pursuing deals in Phuket,
Koh Samui, Bangkok, Vietnam, the Maldives, and India.
Thanks to our staff in Asia for their tremendous work to date!
See more photos at http://saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com/.
Saturday Briefing
Page The formal ceremony where the deal was inked!
Ed Fuller, President and Managing Director of international lodging for Marriott
International; David Carey; Chairman and CEO of developer ITC Spectrum
LLC Canh Tran; and Mel Kaneshige standing on the beach at Vinh Hoi Bay.
Outrigger’s hotel site is to the right of Mel Kaneshige in the background.
Front Row: Sawitree Vanaputi, Thitirat Karnchana-arbhakul, Wiwannee Wattanaurai, Panit Khongmak, Phattharaphon Boonthong, Ruthai Saechouw, and Tiwa
Sengsomwang. Back Row: Michael Cowan, Darren Edmonstone, Mel Kaneshige, David
Carey, Robert Merrigan, Pieter Van Der Hoeven, Damian Clowes, and Albert Chan