2.3 MB PDF - Saturday Briefing

April 21, 2012
A MESSAGE FROM RICHARD R. KELLEY TO OUR OUTRIGGER ‘OHANA
Milestones Celebrated
By Kathy Foley
Each quarter, it is our pleasure to honor and recognize our ‘ohana
who have reached 30 years of service or more with Outrigger. On behalf of
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, we congratulate and thank Mercy Mariano,
Elna Budiao, Joselyn Valenzuela, Tereza Gapuzan, Clarita Esmeralda, Daisy
Lai Wing Tong, Elvira Lacar Maluyo, Florita Ravago, Fran Patoskie and Jun
Ling Lu, as well as Jean Rolles (see Dr. Kelley’s article right).
40 Years of Service • Mercy Mariano
Mercy was first hired
at the Outrigger
Waikiki and worked
pretty much
every position in
Housekeeping - from
Runner to Laundry
to Inspectress to
Supervisor. Today
Mercy is a Control
Clerk. She recalls
when Outrigger got
computers to replace
Mercy Mariano (second from right) and her family
all the manual
systems; things
changed for the better! She considers her Outrigger ‘ohana like a second
family; everyone is so nice and makes work fun. Mercy has two sons,
a daughter and a granddaughter. When she’s not at work, she enjoys
helping to keep the planet green by gardening; she tends to her roses
and bitter melon, eggplant and squash. She also likes to watch Korean
dramas on TV and enjoys walking three times a week with friends.
Travel plans include a trip to the Philippines to visit her dad and to Las
Vegas to visit her daughter.
• Pearls of wisdom: “Work hard, have fun, spend time with your family,
think positive, exercise and eat healthy.”
• Most proud of: Her family
Jean Rolles –
30 Years and More!
By Dr. Richard Kelley
This week, we are recognizing members of our
‘ohana who are celebrating special anniversaries
of their time with Outrigger Enterprises Group.
Included in the list of a dozen or so honorees, you
will find my sister Jean Rolles. Yes, officially she has
been on the payroll for 30 years, but the truth is
she has been with the company for well over twice
that long, starting from when she was 11 years old.
Someone may well have violated some child labor
laws, if they actually existed at the time. But, I’ll let
Jean tell the story of her time and experiences with
our company in her own words:
Jean Rolles, Certified Property Manager
Elna started with Outrigger as a Housekeeper at the Outrigger West
and is now working at the Outrigger Waikiki providing linen and other
supplies to her co-workers. She gets great satisfaction in being able to
help her co-workers with their needs so they can get their jobs done.
Elna says the most memorable change in the company for her was the
brand change from Outrigger to Outrigger and OHANA. She recalls a
Officially I have worked for our company
since January 20, 1982, but unofficially I have
been involved since I was 11 years old. (That
would be the summer of 1946.) My aunt, Iva
Webber, started a soda fountain on the beach in
front of the old Edgewater Cottages (where the
Reef is now located), and I put in eight-hour
days working as a “soda jerk” for her all summer.
(Those were the days when a Coke cost 10¢, a
chocolate soda 15¢, a milk shake 20¢, and if
you were a big spender a malt would cost 25¢.)
Continued on page 7
Continued on page 3
35 Years of Service • Elna Budiao
Saturday Briefing
Page 1
Happy Birthday!
Employment Opportunities
May 2: Sootaga Tana, Lilia D. Aceret, Romeo
Nuque, Vivian Miquel, Korey Bowden and
Dwi Adi.
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 April 27, 2012.
May 3: Bibiana G. Taylan, Gerardo C.
Daez, Sarah C. Ko, Mark Anthony A. Paz,
Nancy S. Brunner, Made Prayudi, Malakai
Kunahau, Shavindra M. Prasad and
Netnapa Tadakittikul.
May 4: Lisa H. Nguyen, Anaki L. Kukahiko,
Maui B. Akeo, Tina Huang, Joshua J.
Smith, Lolita T. Cajudoy, Yumi Oka and
Mereoni Kamoju.
May 5: Shawn M. Usami, Trina T. Tory,
Gayle M.H. Izutsu, Travis M. Barrett, Terri L.
Escritor, Victor A.C. Nerveza, Taito Koroi and
Siteri Navuso.
May 6: Jane K. Schumacker, Jonathan V.
Clarin, Sandra Sakka and Dominic Manibusan.
May 7: Richie M. Palafox, Cheuk Tim
Lam, Oliver T. Cajala, Irwin K.F. Lau, Teri
P. Orton, Louie Evangelista, Nemesei Billy,
Peniasi Jim, Penijamini Naruma, Wame
Buanino and Samuel Rankin.
May 8: Victoria L. Valenciano, Anna H.K.
Ko, Steve T. Hasegawa, Estrelita V. Untalan,
Michael B. Cruz, Meriam Edillor, Farida
Tarape, Francia Pili, Navin Chand and
Kelera Ralawa.
Saturday Briefing is published
by and for employees of
Outrigger Enterprises Group (OEG)
Editor-In-Chief: Richard Kelley
Senior Editor: Kathy Foley
Supervising Editor: Pila Hanson
Proofing Assistant: Char Luning
Contributing Writers: Employees of OEG
Visit us online at:
www.saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com
Submissions to Kathy Foley
at [email protected],
via interoffice mail to OEH/HR,
or by phone at (808) 921-6957.
© 2012 Outrigger Hotels Hawaii
Saturday Briefing
Page 2
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Guest Service Representative (Full-Time)
Must have at least one year customer service and cash handling experience,
preferably in the hospitality industry. Must have basic computer skills and be
able to type 30 wpm. Must also be a team player with excellent communication
skills and flexibility to work any day and any shift. This position will primarily
work the graveyard shift and will need to work night audit when needed.
Guest Service Representative (Part-Time)
Must have at least one year customer service and cash handling experience,
preferably in the hospitality industry. Must have basic computer skills,
and be able to type 30 wpm. Must also be a team player with excellent
communication skills and flexibility to work any day and any shift. The ability
to speak Japanese required for this position.
Bell/Valet (Part-Time)
Must have at least one year customer service experience and be able to lift and
carry 70 lbs. Must be flexible to work any shift and day. A valid driver’s license
and clean driving abstract required.
GSR (Uniform Services) (Full-Time)
Must have at least one year customer service experience and be able to lift and
carry 70 lbs. Must be flexible to work any shift and day. A valid driver’s license
and clean driving abstract required.
Project Coordinator (IT) (Full-Time)
A minimum of two years office administration experience within a large
organization is required, within the Information Technology area preferred.
Must be able to handle large projects simultaneously often in a demanding
office environment. Must have a strong knowledge of but not limited to
Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and Sharepoint. Must also be able to work
and communicate with other employees and upper level management.
Outrigger Napili Shores Resort
Accounting Clerk (Part-Time)
Assists in all aspects of general accounting functions. Previous experience in
accounting/bookkeeping and accounting software packages preferred. Must
have excellent communication skills, be proficient in Microsoft Excel and
Word and have 10-key by touch skills.
Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona Resort
Front Desk Clerk (On-Call)
Must have at least one year customer service and cashiering experience,
preferably in the hospitality industry. Excellent computer skills and ability to
type 30 wpm required. Must be a team player with excellent communication
skills and ability to work any shift and day.
Keauhou Beach Resort
Restaurant Manager (Full-Time)
Responsible for coordinating the food service activities of the restaurant. At
least two years of supervisory experience in a food service outlet required. Must
possess excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. Must
be able to work flexible days and shifts to include weekends and holidays.
Jean Rolles – 30 Years and More!
Continued from page 1
Almost every summer after that, I was employed at the Edgewater Hotel (where the Embassy Suites® is now located) or the
Reef Hotel. I started working as a front desk clerk, then graduated to a telephone attendant, operating an old PBX switchboard
with all the plugs and cords. Then I rose to dining room hostess and cashier.
During the summers of my college years,
I worked at the front desk of the Reef. In
the summer of 1955, while I was a student
at the Cornell University School of Hotel
Administration, I brought three fellow students
to Waikīkī to help to open the rooms at the
then brand-new Reef. One of those students was
Chuck Feeney, who later became the founder of
Duty Free Shops and a billionaire philanthropist.
Another was Chuck Rolles, the founder of the
Chuck’s Steak House restaurant chain. The Reef
was just being completed. We would assemble
a room, make the beds, put towels in the
bathroom and then jump over the lanai railing
to the neighboring room just as the first guests
walked in the door. Then we would start to
assemble the next room!
I married Chuck Rolles in 1957, and two years
Roy and Estelle Kelley’s 50th wedding anniversary, 1979: Pat, Roy, Jean, Richard and Estelle
later he opened Chuck’s Steak House in the lobby
of the Edgewater Hotel. An open lanai was walled
off; tables and chairs were purchased; bamboo, fishing nets and glass balls were hung from the ceiling; and second-hand equipment
was installed in the kitchen. Nothing was restaurant regulation as the refrigerators were old home units and the dish-washing sink was
an old bar sink with the narrow slots.
Continued on page 12
Roy Kelley & Allen Johnson UH School of Architecture
Scholarship Award
By Dr. Chuck Kelley
Dean of the UH School of Architecture Clark Llewellyn (left)
and Dr. Chuck Kelley (right) with four scholarship recipients
In 1982, Outrigger’s founder Roy Kelley
teamed up with fellow architect Allen R. Johnson
to fund an endowment at the UH School of
Architecture to support students who wish to
study internationally. The Allen R. Johnson
/ Roy C. Kelley Architectural Research travel
Scholarship is the School of Architecture flagship
scholarship. Both Roy Kelley and Allen Johnson
wanted students to enrich their understanding and
appreciation of architecture through travel and
scholarly research.
Candidates for this award are expected to be
among the very best students in the School and
eligibility is by invitation only.
Last week I had the privilege of joining
Clark Llewellyn, Dean of the UH School of
Architecture, in presenting this prestigious
scholarship to four outstanding students.
On behalf of the Kelley family and Outrigger,
I wish these bright young minds much success in
the future.
Saturday Briefing
Page 3
Easter Treats at Outrigger’s
Newest Australia Hotel
By Leah Matters
Outrigger Surfers Paradise staff celebrated their first
Easter at the property by displaying their best hat, bunny
ears and/or bonnet. Best Dressed winner was Phil Dotti
from our Concierge department, with a close second from
Reservations Manager Sandi Neale. Both took home hampers
full of Easter goodies.
Staff and our guests were treated to hot cross buns,
Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies all weekend long.
Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the
Front Office department for organizing such an enjoyable
weekend full of sweet treats for both staff and guests.
Political Fundraisers
By OHHPAC
If you are interested in attending any of the below
fundraisers, please e-mail Kathy Foley at kathysb@outrigger.
com or call 921-6957. Mahalo!
Senator Maile Shimabukuro
District 21: Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Ko ‘Olina,
Kahe Point, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili and Wai‘anae
Monday, April 23
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Mandalay Restaurant • 1055 Alakea Street
Representative Bob Herkes
District District 5: Puna, Ka‘ū, South Kona and North Kona
Tuesday, April 24
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Michel’s • 2895 Kalakaua Avenue
Senator Brickwood Galuteria
District 12: Iwilei, Chinatown, Downtown, Kaka‘ako,
Ala Moana, Waikīkī
Tuesday, April 24
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Che Pasta • 1001 Bishop Street
Front: Bj Boyer and Phil Dotti
Back: Sandi Neale, Leah Matters, Masako Inatome and Yuki Kato
Representative Mark Takai
District 34: Newtown, Waiau, Pearl City and Waimalu
Wednesday, April 25
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Waimalu Elementary • 98-825 Moanalua Road
Senator Roz Baker
District 6: South and West Maui
Senator David Ige
District 16: Pacific Palisades, Pearl City, Waimalu,
Upper ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights
Tuesday, May 1
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Plaza Club • 900 Fort Street Mall, 20th Floor
Senator Will Espero
District 20: ‘Ewa Beach, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Ocean Pointe,
‘Ewa Villages, West Loch, Honouliuli, Lower Waipahu
Jay Fawckner, Tegan Mason, Layla Habul and Christine Iosa
Saturday Briefing
Page 4
Wednesday, May 2
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Mandalay Restaurant • 1055 Alakea Street
Embassy Suites® (ESH) Smiles
By Bob Yeoman
“Upon check-in we were greeted with the nice juice
touch, but more importantly, 3 different open front desk
people to help. (We often [had] been to hotels when there
is only one person, a very long wait). We were upgraded
to a 2 bedroom suite (can you say magic to my ears!?!)
without asking. You had me there!...”
“This was the most fantastic hotel experience we have
ever had! What set the hotel apart from the others we have
stayed in over the [last] 20 years, was the super-friendly and
professional staff. The only reason this review gets five stars
is because there is no room for more. Highly recommend
to others!”
“Great stay for one night at this Embassy Suites.
EXCELLENT check-in process. It was fast and the juice
drink others talk about was perfect for the kids! Overall,
classy place. Check-in and checkout were super smooth.
Would stay again in a heart beat.”
Over 183 years of service is only the beginning of the
many reasons a “suite” smile comes to the faces of Embassy
Suites’ guests. Our dedicated Guest Service Representatives
(GSRs) celebrating Front Desk Month have been a part
of the ESH ‘ohana for five years now. Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a is
embedded in their spirit and the Outrigger Way and the
Embassy Way are seamlessly intertwined.
From mandatory training of the Hilton Honors
Programs to achieving compliance of meticulous Brand
Standards, our Front Desk Team is confident and proud to
be outstanding professionals. To date, they have exceeded
the Embassy Suites Overall Service SALT (Satisfaction &
Loyalty Tracking) benchmark by 4.4 points.
The partnerships they’ve created through consistent
communication with Housekeeping and Maintenance
departments are a crucial part of the success of this
department directly reflecting on the guests’ Embassy
experience. Through the Outrigger and the Embassy Way,
the Front Desk Team continues their voyage in a doublehulled canoe, their sail filled with the breath of Aloha
and their strength of determination uninterrupted by
synchronized strokes.
We hold up our Paddle 6 as a gesture of victory
and celebration, as we continue on our journey towards
Kīnā‘ole. Congratulations for a job well done and mahalo
for creating the “Suitest” of smiles to our Ho‘okele: Garrick
Otsuka, Front Office Manager; GSM Ryan Guillermo;
GSM Tammy Arakaki and Master Navigator and AGM
Reid Yoshida.
Photos: Top - “Suite” Smiles poster brightens the back office!
Middle - Front Desk staff is presented a “Cup of Suite Tea” candies
Front: Lorena Rosete, Helina Wong and Sandra Kama
Back: Victor Tong, Bob Yeoman and Reid Yoshida
Bottom - GSMs Ryan Guillermo and Tammy Arakaki
and FOM Garrick Otsuka
Saturday Briefing
Page 5
Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk® Celebrates Paddle 2
in Conjunction with New Lobby Unveiling
By Shannon Yadon
Guest Service Representative Yoke Sasaki and Front Desk Manager Tom Zylstra
behind the new Front Desk
Assistant General Manager Robert Ishihara addresses owners,
guests and employees while Napualei Saunders looks on
On Friday, April 13, the Wyndham at Waikiki
Beach Walk Resort celebrated the opening of their
newly renovated lobby. Tiffani ‘Napualei’ Saunders
led a cultural ceremony and blessing including the
ceremonial untying of Maile lei. The Hawaiian
story of the Naupaka flower, which served as an
inspirational muse in the design of the lobby, was
shared with all those in attendance. Guests could
see carvings of the flower on the new front desk
and the actual plant housed in planters around the
resort. This ‘ohana-style celebration invited resort
employees and in-house guests to share in the
ceremony and a social mixer, with sparkling cider
and Naupaka-decorated cupcakes, that followed.
The renovation work began March 12, and the
resort staff found this the perfect opportunity to
correlate the renovation work with the display of
their Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a Paddle 2 project - a timeline of
the resort’s physical building and key dates in our
employees’ lives. The partition walls set in place by the
renovation team were decorated with colorful dates
and photographs allowing our owners and guests to
get a glimpse into the past while the renovation crew
was hard at work behind the scenes. The installation
crew worked day and night and finished the
renovation nearly two weeks ahead of schedule; when
the timeline-decorated partition walls came down,
guests, owners and employees were thrilled with the
beautiful result.
Saturday Briefing
Page 6
The Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a Paddle 2 display provides a glimpse into the past
The design and installation crew at the re-opening celebration
Milestones Celebrated
Continued from page 1
time in the
‘80s when
there was an
unexpected
check-in of
high school
students and
not enough
rooms, so
Housekeeping
made up 200
rollaways,
Elna (back left) and her family
and the
students slept
on the mezzanine floor! When Elna isn’t working, she enjoys
cooking, shopping, traveling, watching Filipino soap operas,
babysitting and spending time with her family. She plans
to travel to the Philippines to visit her relatives next year.
Married for 32 years to Antonio, they have a son, daughter
and three grandchildren.
• On her bucket list: “Go on a cruise to Australia and
visit family.”
• Pearls of wisdom: “Always take care of your health. Eat
the right foods, so you can do all sorts of things. It’s
so hard to pass up rice, but as long as you eat a lot of
vegetables, that’s good too!”
• A little known fact: “I love karaoke!”
• Most proud of: “I am very proud to work for this
Company that I love and am thankful to Outrigger for
hiring me and keeping me for 30+ years.”
35 Years of Service • Joselyn Valenzuela
Joselyn
began her
career as
a Housekeeper
at the
Outrigger
West.
Over the
years, she’s
worked
at eleven
of our
Joselyn (front left) with her Outrigger family
properties.
Today Joselyn is an Assistant Housekeeper stationed at the
OHANA Waikiki East and says she loves her job, especially
the cooperation of all the departments that makes her job
so much easier. Joselyn is happy coming to work everyday
because of that teamwork and cooperation. She fondly
recalls the 2 to 10 p.m. shift days of going out with her
co-workers after work and eagerly waiting for the airline
crews to check out at 10 p.m. Joselyn is impressed with
Outrigger’s growth both in Hawai‘i and internationally.
She appreciates the good benefits Outrigger provides and
says she feels like family and well taken care of. Joselyn
and her husband of 30 years, Romaldo, have two sons, a
daughter and a granddaughter (due in May!). Free time
is spent with family and enjoying dim sum and phở in
Chinatown. Once a week, she gets together with friends
to ballroom dance. Future travel plans are to Atlanta for
the birth of her granddaughter, to the Philippines to visit
family and to visit her son and the slots in Las Vegas.
• On her bucket list: To buy a house in Las Vegas.
• Pearl of wisdom: “Enjoy each day because life is too short.”
• A little known fact: “If I’m not at work, I am very busy
window shopping or watching Filipino movies!”
• Most proud of: Being able to send her children to college
thanks to her career with Outrigger.
35 Years of Service • Tereza Gapuzan
Tereza was hired
as a Housekeeper/
Room Cleaner at the
Outrigger West and
is now working as an
Assistant Housekeeper
at the Wyndham at
Waikiki Beach Walk®.
She takes pride in
assisting the Executive
Housekeeper with
all the operational
and administrative
functions of the
department. Tereza
Tereza and her husband Eulogio
enjoys coming to work
early to have breakfast with her co-workers. This helps her
to get to know them personally and to see if there are any
issues that need addressing within the department or at the
resort. Tereza is thankful to the Kelley family for providing
great benefits. She enjoys ballroom dancing and spending
time with her friends. She thinks she’ll retire from Outrigger
in about 20 years!
• On her bucket list: “My dream is to visit Italy, Jerusalem
and the Philippines.”
• Pearls of wisdom: “Do the right thing, all the time.”
• A little known fact: “I am currently taking care of my
mom who is in a care home. I visit her often and hope
she feels better so she can return home, and I can spend
more time with her there.”
• Most proud of: “Being able to move from the Philippines
to Hawai‘i. Outrigger gave me the opportunity to work
and without this, I may not be where I am today. I
started as a Housekeeper and was given the opportunity
to grow in my career. I am very proud to say that with
Continued on page 8
Saturday Briefing
Page 7
Milestones Celebrated
Continued from page 7
my hard work and dedication, I can now guide other
housekeepers through my experience and financially
provide for my family.”
30 Years of Service • Clarita Esmeralda
Clarita
was hired
to work
in Housekeeping
at the
Outrigger
West. Since
that time,
she has
worked at
two other
Clarita (left) enjoying time with Emelia Mangaoang
properties
and now
stationed back at the West. Clarita is happy at work and
enjoys her co-workers. She comes from a big family of six
brothers and one sister. She and husband Eufracio have
been married 29 years and have a son studying physical
therapy in New York. When not at work, Clarita watches
Filipino movies and keeps her home in top shape, including
her garden of flowers and vegetables. Travel plans include
the Philippines next year, a trip to New York to visit her
son, Switzerland to visit her brother and Sacramento to visit
her sister.
• Pearl of wisdom: “Be good and study hard.”
30 Years of Service • Daisy Lai Wing Tong
Daisy was
hired to
work at the
Outrigger
Waikiki and
is currently a
Housekeeper
there. She
is happy
when her
guests are
pleased with
their rooms.
Daisy (far right) and her family
“They are
appreciative to me when they come back to a clean room.
A clean room makes our guests’ stay more enjoyable.” Daisy
said Outrigger constantly improves and stays up to date to
keep our reputation right up there with other worldwide
brands. She enjoys cooking, shopping and learning Chinese
dancing when not at work.
Saturday Briefing
Page 8
• On her bucket list: To travel and visit the famous places
of the world.
• Pearls of wisdom: “Study hard, work hard, be honest, be
good to people and you will be happy no matter where
you go and what you do.”
• A little known fact: “I love to sing karaoke and perform
Chinese dancing in public whenever and wherever I can.”
• Most proud of: “I am most proud of being an employee
of Outrigger for the past 30+ years. I grew up here. I
learned not only to clean rooms and work as a team with
my co-workers, but also got a lot of advice about life in
general, like being a good mother and wife to my family
because of Outrigger.”
30 Years of Service • Elvira Lacar Maluyo
Elvira
started
working
at the
Outrigger
West as a
Housekeeper
and then
Inspectress/
Clerk. From
that time,
she’s worked
at over ten
Elvira — you can hear the smile in her voice
properties.
Currently, she’s a Control Clerk at the OHANA Waikiki
West. Over the years Elvira says she’s learned a lot and has
been able to support her family. She is happy and grateful
to Outrigger for all it has provided her. Nice co-workers,
good benefits and being treated like family are reasons
Elvira has made Outrigger her career company. She has a
son and daughter and four grandchildren with whom she
loves to spend time. When not at work, Elvira likes to “talk
story” with her siblings, watch Korean dramas and spend
time with her grandchildren. Plans are to visit her stepson
in California this year.
• Pearls of wisdom: “Enjoy life – a precious gift. Be
happy – life is too short!” To her co-workers, she adds:
“Work hard, be honest and be willing to help and be
nice to our guests.”
30 Years of Service • Florita Ravago
Florita started working for Outrigger at the West and after
three months, transferred to the Outrigger East as a Runner,
Lobby Attendant, Room Cleaner and Inspectress. Today,
you can find Florita at the OHANA Waikiki East as Control
Clerk. She enjoys taking in-house calls from the Front Desk,
Executive Office, Housekeepers and especially calls from
Continued on page 9
Milestones Celebrated
Continued from page 8
guests.
When
asked about
significant
changes at
Outrigger
over the
last thirty
years,
Florita said
that the
expansion
Florita (back far left) gathers with her Outrigger ‘ohana
of the
company stands out in her mind - the addition of hotels, not
only here in Hawai‘i, but internationally. She’s also seen and
appreciated the increased benefits for employees. Florita has
been able to send her children to school and helped support
her family through her many years working at Outrigger. She
and her husband of 25 years, Florante, who currently works
at the OHANA Waikiki East Maintenance department, have
two sons and a daughter. When not at work, they both enjoy
swimming and walking at Magic Island at least two times a
week. She enjoys the beach with her family, cooking, dancing
and watching TV. She and Florante are looking forward to an
upcoming family trip to Australia to visit her sister-in-law.
• On her bucket list: “My dream is to be a millionaire and
travel around the world with my family.”
• Pearls of wisdom: “Time is gold. Always be happy and
love…love…love.”
• A little known fact: “I am small, but fierce.”
• Most proud of: “I am so proud I work for Outrigger and
OHANA and also that I have a good husband, daughter
and two sons.”
30 Years of Service • Fran Patoskie
Fran was
working in
Reservations
at the Prince
Kuhio when
Outrigger
purchased it
in 1982. She
moved to the
Outrigger
Waikiki
in Central
Reservations,
Fran and Tony Horton of P90X fame
going from
1 property to 9 and shortly after the merger with Cinerama
properties, to 14—talk about culture shock! But Fran says
she loved the fast pace of things and the energy of the
department. She changed roles in 1990 to Database Manager
and then in 2008 to Senior Database Manager handling the
execution and maintenance of the many retail and wholesale
rate offers Outrigger markets company-wide, worldwide.
When asked about her favorite and least favorite aspects
of her job, Fran said she enjoys masterminding with other
departments to see how all the pieces fit together to make a
program run smoothly, and she doesn’t enjoy massive projects
with too-tight deadlines! Over the last thirty years much
has changed. Fran says she used to be able to roll off every
detail of each hotel down to the bedding in each room…
but that was before we had condos! She also shared that the
transformation of Lewers Street to Waikiki Beach Walk is
nothing short of spectacular. Fran grew up with Outrigger
and says the company has been good to her. She’s always
felt secure and never worries because she feels the Kelley
Family is so connected to us. An empty nester, Fran eagerly
awaits grandkids. Until then, she keeps fit and busy by
being a Beachbody coach and helping others do the same.
She’s certified to teach Turbo Kick and soon will be a P90X
certified trainer.
• Most Memorable Moment: “Being nominated for a
Po‘okela award for creating the wholesale version of
Stelladex, our online ‘bible.’”
• On her bucket list: A cruise to the Mediterranean with
husband Joseph.
• Pearl of wisdom: “Life is so very brief, so live it as if it
was your last day.” • A little known fact: “My brother is Bertram Chock
(IT)! Seriously, hardly anyone knows that!”
• Most proud of: “The part I’ve played to make Outrigger
the cutting edge company to work for!”
30 Years of Service • Jun Ling Lu
Jun Ling
began her
Outrigger
career at the
Outrigger
West in
Housekeeping.
Today she
is stationed
at the
OHANA
Waikiki
Jun Ling (right) and Feng Zhen Chen
Malia
handling housekeeping room service. Jun Ling enjoys
working with her co-workers and learning about their
cultures. She says it’s always gratifying to see guests return
to her floor. Learning about the Hawaiian culture and
participating in the Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a Paddles process has
Continued on page 10
Saturday Briefing
Page 9
Milestones Celebrated
Continued from page 9
enabled her to learn and grow personally. A memorable
time for Jun Ling was when Outrigger purchased the Malia
and there was picketing and lots of security at the time. She
appreciates the good benefits Outrigger provides its employees
but says she feels fortunate to love her job as well. Jun Ling’s
free time is spent shopping at Ala Moana, watching Chinese
drama shows and two times a week, she looks forward to
getting together with family to eat at Legend’s in Chinatown.
Jun Ling says she eats the right foods to make sure she keeps
herself healthy. Married with a daughter and a son, Jun Ling
is patiently waiting for grandchildren! Future plans are to
continue her career with Outrigger until she is able to enjoy
her retirement and to support her two children as they pursue
their continuing education. Travel plans include Hong Kong
and China this month to visit her daughter and son and to Los
Angeles to visit her younger sister.
• On her bucket list: “To purchase a house in Los Angeles and
send my two children to college on the Mainland and then
visit my children and get together at our second home.”
• Pearls of wisdom: “If you are doing your best, you will
not have time to worry about failure. My best friend is
the one who brings out the best in me.”
• A little known fact: I’m quiet but I smile and am
generous and friendly.
• Most proud of: “Working everyday cleaning rooms
to provide good service to our customers, especially
returning guests to my floor.”
30 Years of Service • Pureza Baptista
Pureza was hired as a
Housekeeper at the
Waikiki Village and
now works at the
Outrigger Reef on
the Beach taking care
of the second floor
of the Ocean Tower.
Pureza says she really
likes taking care of
our guests, and it
makes her smile when
they share how much
they enjoy staying
at our hotels. When
asked what she likes
least about her job,
she couldn’t think of
Pureza and her husband Pedro
one thing and said she
loves everything about it! Over the years Pureza has seen
hotels come and go and is happy that Outrigger is always
changing and growing. She is especially proud of our part
in the Waikiki Beach Walk® project. On the personal side,
Pureza enjoys cooking and baking, watching Filipino soap
operas and spending time with her grandchildren. She and
her husband of 32 years, Pedro, have 1 son, 2 daughters and
Saturday Briefing
Page 10
3 grandsons. She plans to continue working as long as she
can handle her responsibilities and looks forward to travel.
In fact, she’s looking forward to a trip to New York in a few
short months.
• Memorable moments: When Hurricane Iwa hit and
Housekeeping helped to clean the basement of the
OHANA Village and OHANA Reef Lanais and also
seeing Roy Kelley walking around the Outrigger
Village pool.
• On her bucket list: World travel!
• Pearl of wisdom: “Hard work is the key to success.”
Through the years, Pureza has learned that working hard
in everything you do will lead to success and happiness.
• A little known fact: Her family loves to travel together.
They’ve visited Disneyland, Universal Studios, Oakland,
San Francisco, the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.
• Most proud of: “I was at the Waikiki Village for 24
years, and I’m proud that I was able to adjust to all of the
changes when I came to the Reef. I’m proud that I can
continue to learn new things and always be better.”
30 Years of Service • Zhi Jean Young
When Zhi
Jean came to
Hawai‘i from
China, her
first job was at
the Outrigger
Waikiki.
Currently
she’s a
Housekeeper
and
responsible
for the
Zhi Jean (left) and her family
cleanliness of
the guest rooms. She enjoys her job and says her co-workers
are like family. She said, “Dr. Kelley treats his employees
nicely and takes care of us like we are part of his family.”
She is grateful for the opportunity to work for a company
that keeps growing and appreciates the managers at the
property for teaching her, which has helped her to grow
personally. Zhi Jean has been married 29 years to husband
Kwok Fai who is a former employee of the Outrigger
Waikiki. “I love being a housewife on my days off, which is
cooking and cleaning, [laughing!] and visiting my 87-yearold mother-in-law.” Zhi Jean and Kwok Fai have two sons
and a daughter and future plans are to travel to see them.
• On her bucket list: “To travel around the world after I
retire, except China!” [laughing]
• Pearls of wisdom: “Stay healthy and laugh a lot!”
• Little known fact: “My husband does acupuncture.”
• Most proud of: “I am very proud that I can speak
English and am able to communicate with guests. I am
proud of all the guest comments I receive.” Songkran Festival in Thailand
By Patcharee Chanantho (Paew)
Songkran Festival, or the Thailand Water Festival, is the most important
festival for Thai people. Celebrated as the traditional Thai New Year, Thai
people sprinkle water on the elders in show of respect and pay respect to
Buddha images.
Songkran Festival falls on 13-15 April yearly, the beginning of the hot,
rainy season, though the celebration usually starts before and ends days after the
official holiday.
The Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas performed a religious
ceremony to celebrate the Thai New Year and to bring good luck and prosperity
to the property and our hosts.
The ritual was led by General Manager Khun Apichart Asa, followed by an
invitation to guests to join management and hosts on the 13th to pour water
over the Buddha image in the lobby.
Management team led by Khun Apichart and hosts
offered dried foods for the monks
Outrigger Aina Nalu (OAN)
Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk® (ESH)
“I am back in Honolulu again and had to comment on my
three-night stay. This had to be one of the best hotel stays
ever. I say that because of the outstanding employees that
you have at this hotel. I would like to comment based on
some outstanding interactions with a few of them: Lauren
Yamamoto works at the front desk. I needed her assistance
since Enterprise Rent A Car was 40 minutes late to picking
me up. She spent 15 minutes trying to get through a number
of operators and finally was successful. She did it with
a smile and she even alerted me when the shuttle driver
arrived. Andrew Boyd checked me into the hotel. He was
exceptionally friendly and went out of his way to make sure
I liked my accommodations. He also helped my mother who
stayed with me on a number of occasions. Dean Hashimoto
helped my mom on a number of occasions with directions.
My mom came back to the room one night commenting
about him and then today I had the chance to meet him. I
was really impressed how he remembered my mom and asked
if she found her way to Costco and if she needed any other
assistance. Carlita Herring cleaned our room and was very
accommodating in cleaning the room and making sure we had
everything we needed in room 1832. A very, very nice lady.
The breakfast was incredible (especially the salmon omelet).
Overall, everyone was incredibly friendly. These four are
the ones that came to mind immediately. Thanks for the
incredible stay. I head home tomorrow evening and will
remember this trip with fondness based on my outstanding
stay at your hotel.”
Peter Eliason via email
I just wanted to thank you [Naomi Maitinnara] for all your
help while we were in Maui at the Aina Nalu. We had a great
time there and we were so happy with the rooms and all the
facilities. I wanted to stop by and say goodbye and thanks
before we left since I heard that you had helped the kids
arrange to keep the 2 bedroom unit so that we wouldn’t have
to checkout and spend the day shuffling luggage around from
room to room. That worked out so well for us. We were able
to spend the last day having fun... although almost too much
fun that we had to rush to the airport to make our flight in
time which was why we didn’t get a chance to see you before
we left! Everybody there was just fantastic, from front desk
to our housekeeping, and we really appreciated it. Hopefully
we’ll be able to hold another Canada/Australia reunion there
again! In the meantime, we will be telling all the people we
know to stay there if they’re heading to Maui. Thanks once
again to you and all the staff at Aina Nalu!”
Joyce and John Meehan via email
Outrigger Reef on the Beach (ORF)
Kerry Iha
Laura Walker at Hawaiian
Travel shared a rave review
from a recent guest [Marilyn
Murray] staying at the ESH.
They loved the hotel but the
rave review was for the ORF.
Their transportation driver
would not drop them and
their luggage off at the main
entrance to ESH. One of the
bellmen at ORF [Kerry Iha]
saw this and dashed over to
assist, taking them and their
bags to the ESH lobby.
Saturday Briefing
Page 11
Jean Rolles – 30 Years and More!
Continued from page 3
conduct. My duties as Vice President of Community Relations
I came down to the restaurant every day at about 3 p.m.
run from “A” to “Z,” and I am amazed at the variety of things I am
with my toddler son, Scott, to prep the food. Chuck worked
involved with – from planning a formal banquet for the Emperor
at the Reef until 5 p.m. and then walked across the street
of Japan to helping choose a new football coach for the University
to set up the salad bar, after which we’d open the doors for
of Hawai‘i. There is never a dull day
business. Chuck waited on tables, and I
in Community Relations!
hand-washed the dishes until midnight.
I have been fortunate to watch
Those were the humble beginnings
Outrigger
grow from a momof Chuck’s Steak House. Over the years
and-pop
operation
under my
the success of this format expanded to
parents
Roy
and
Estelle
Kelley, to
Mililani, Pearlridge, Kahala, Hawaii Kai
a
full-fledged
hospitality
company
and the Outrigger Waikiki, OHANA
under
my
brother
Dr.
Richard
East and Reef Towers hotels. In total, at
Kelley, to a major international
one time, there were 50 Chuck’s Steak
corporation under the leadership
Houses across the United States. At
of David Carey. I have had the
various times, as needed, I washed dishes,
honor of knowing a great many of
waited on tables and served as a cocktail
Outrigger’s employees, and they
waitress. I ended up as the
have all been family to me. It has
day manager for the Kahala
been a privilege to be a part of
Mall restaurant. When
Outrigger’s history with them.
that restaurant was sold in
Photo above: Vicky Cayetano, CEO of United Laundry
January 1982, I needed a job.
What is my proudest
Services, Inc., Hawai‘i Governor Neil Abercrombie
At that time, my brother
and Communications Pacific CEO Kitty Lagareta achievement? I would have to
congratulate Jean as she is honored by Ronald McDonald say starting the Aloha Patrol in
Richard Kelley was directly
House Charities for her community work, 2009.
Waikīkī. Back in 1996, street
responsible for the Outrigger
Waikiki, the Outrigger
Photo left: Jean has gone many places on earth assisting issues were getting out of hand in
Waikīkī, and no one would take
the programs of the Nature Conservancy.
East, Outrigger West and
responsibility for improving the
Outrigger Surf hotels. Pat
situation. Working with the Police Department, I set up the
Moore was his secretary, and the leases for the commercial
Aloha Patrol, with volunteers walking Waikīkī’s main streets
spaces in those hotels were included in her responsibilities.
every night and reporting any irregularities to the police.
Timing is everything in life! Pat wanted to become more
There were a lot of complexities in getting it started, but it was
involved with the interior decorating side of the company, and
quite successful for the more than four years of its existence.
since I had a real estate license, Richard gave me the chance to
We reported crimes, found lost children, helped tourists find
handle the commercial spaces. That job grew from the spaces
their way, reported street repairs that were needed and acted as
in five hotels to 300 tenants in 21 hotels. I was a one-person
ambassadors of aloha, providing a friendly climate in Waikīkī.
department, and I did everything including writing the leases,
Our volunteers came from all communities on O‘ahu, and the
negotiating the terms, collecting the rent and changing shop
work only ended when the Waikīkī Improvement Association
locations whenever major hotel renovations were going on – as
created the Waikiki Business Improvement District, which
well as dealing with fires, floods and hurricanes.
assumed the Aloha Patrol’s functions.
I will be forever grateful to Richard for giving me
As for my philosophy, I would say I believe in lifelong
the opportunity, as it was a challenging but rewarding
education. Education has always played an important role in
experience. I not only learned on the job but also obtained
my life and provided the stepping-stones needed to reach my
my Certified Property Manager rating from the Institute of
goals. Graduating from college, earning a Certified Property
Real Estate Management in Chicago. I was the first hotel
Manager’s rating, gaining a master’s degree in Japanese business
person to complete the requirements for the CPM credential,
– all these have prepared me for each new turn I have taken in
as the hospitality industry was then only just beginning to
life. I encourage everyone to be open to new experiences. I love
appreciate how hotels were becoming small shopping centers,
the words of the Pokemon song “The Power of One”:
an important source of revenue.
The power of one begins with believing.
In 1999, I was given a new opportunity – to work as Vice
It starts with the heart and flows thru the soul and changes the world.
President of Community Relations. That means I often represent
There’s a mission for you
the company in all types of community situations ranging from
Just look inside and you’ll be surprised what you can do!
charity events, government functions and university meetings to
Each of us holds the key to the power of one.
military ceremonies. I am also involved in numerous international
meetings through the East-West Center, the Japan-America
Society and the Pacific Forum. In addition, I serve on the State
Thank you, Jean. Those are great memories and great
Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Board, which holds monthly
accomplishments. Congratulations for everything you have
hearings to recommend sanctions for lawyers accused of unethical
achieved in a life filled with fascinating “new turns.”
Saturday Briefing
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