Hawaii Hospitality - March/April 2013 - (Page 11)

Na Poe Paahana Awards R obert “Kui” Wright, head bartender at the Mai Tai Bar at The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, was recently named the Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year at the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association’s (HLTA) 23rd Na Poe Paahana (the hardworking people) awards luncheon at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Wright was selected to receive the lodging industry’s top annual award based on his exceptional professionalism, service on the job at The Royal Hawaiian and outstanding community service. More than 280 employees, representing more than 4,700 years of experience, were nominated by their supervisors and co-workers. The complete list of Na Poe Paahana award winners: Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year 1. Robert “Kui” Wright, The Royal Hawaiian 2. Shae Gallardo, Outrigger Waikiki 3. Mark Omori, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa Bell/Valet Person of the Year 1. Eric Borges, The Westin Maui Resort and Spa 2. Darrell Borrero, Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas 3. Gary Kaneshiro, Waikiki Resort Hotel Engineering/Maintenance Person of the Year 1. Brian Ehlers, Aston at the Executive Centre Hotel 2. Nestor Alvarez, Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa 3. Jason Paulo, JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa Food & Beverage Person of the Year 1. James Shaffer, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows 2. Darlene Gomes, Westin Maui Resort & Spa 3. Alberta Kam, The Royal Hawaii Hotel, A Luxury Collection Resort Front Office Person of the Year 1. Heide Kila, Ala Moana Hotel 2. Mayumi Higa, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa 3. June Rountree, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani Housekeeper of the Year 1. Madeline “Madie” Gatanis, Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Walk 2. Maribel Grande, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort 3. Cheryl Takahashi, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa Manager of the Year 1. Wayne Hirabayashi, The Kahala Hotel & Resort 2. Chi Mok, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa 3. Ben Napoleon, Kauai Marriott Resort Robert Wright of the Mai Tai Bar was selected Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year. Security Officer of the Year 1. William “Willie” Kanekoa, Jr., Westin Maui Resort & Spa 2. Richard “Taka” Tsugawa, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani 3. Sean McNeill, Kaanapali Beach Hotel Allied Member of the Year Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. was recognized as a valuable member of the HLTA for its support of Hawaii’s visitor industry and the community. ASSOCIATION News Educational Workshops Aplenty Vendors: A New Best Friend? By Shelly Awaya By Roger Morey, HRA executive director A I s housekeeping professionals, continuing education courses play an integral part of attaining more knowledge so that you are up to date with the latest technologies and procedures that encompass our industry. Rose Galera, president of the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) Hawaii chapter and owner of Clean Plus Systems II, is offering various workshops as a way to raise funds for our chapter. More workshops will be offered on a bi-monthly basis to help sustain a healthy chapter treasury. All workshops will be held at The Ramada Plaza Waikiki. Here is a list of the workshops being held in March, the scheduled times and fees (seating is limited, so sign up right away): Mastering Effective Communications Training, Thursday, March 7, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $65 per person Train the Trainer, Thursday, March 21, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., $65 per person Mastering “AAASK” in Supervision and Management, Thursday, March 28, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $95 per person Checks should be made payable to Clean Plus Systems II and mailed to Rose Galera. For more information, please email galera002@hawaii.rr.com. … The next Oahu meeting will be held at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach on Wednesday, March 13 at 10 a.m. Please email Veronica Mayer at vmayer@hotelrenew.com to RSVP for this meeting, or call 808-354-2817. A firm head count will be required to ensure enough voting ballots are printed for the election of officers and board members. For updates and more information about our chapter, please visit www.hawaii-ieha.org. f your goal includes running your restaurant efficiently and profitably, you’ll need to rely on many people. There are the front of the house employees, the ones who represent you day after day, and there are the back of the house employees, the ones who provide the substance and sustenance for your operation. And there are the people, often taken for granted, who provide you with fresh meats and vegetables, basic cooking supplies, kitchen and dining room equipment and administrative assistance. I’m referring to your vendors. While you are an expert in the restaurant business, they are the experts in their businesses: foodstuffs, equipment, services. Their point of view will always be different than yours and you can profit by taking advantage of that. Your suppliers are covering the market statewide on a daily basis. Without citing specific customers they can let you know what’s working, what’s not working and what’s on the horizon. The effort of getting to know them better will pay you in dividends. It is in your best interest to work with your suppliers to grow your business. They can help; they want to help. The more successful you become, the more successful they become. It is a genuine win-win situation. Having your vendors on your side provides you with free consulting services. Their knowledge of the market is inherently more broad-based than yours. It’s likely that if they don’t have an answer you, they can get it for you. If you show your genuine interest in them and their products/services, they will become your new best friend. www.hawaiihospitalityonline.com 11 http://www.hawaii-ieha.org http://www.hawaiihospitalityonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hawaii Hospitality - March/April 2013

Talk Story with George Szigeti
Point-of-Sale Software
Farm to Table
Outstanding Food & Beverage Professionals
News Briefs
Associations
New Restaurants
Clean Talk with Rose

Hawaii Hospitality - March/April 2013