Hawaii Hospitality - March/April 2014 - (Page 19)

TALK STORY WITH GEORGE SZIGETI Aloha Kakou, Tourism achieved record results last year and there is renewed excitement throughout the Islands in being one of the world's most sought-after destinations, even though we are now entering a period of relatively soft but still very good bookings. These outstanding results are testament to the synergy between government leaders, the private sector, the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. Equally, credit must go to our wonderful frontline employees who make such a great impression on our guests that they keep returning to our Islands again and again. Speaking of which, more than 800 people attended the 24th annual Na Poe Paahana ("the hardworking people") Awards luncheon Jan. 14 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. Kervin Leval, a cafeteria chef and second cook at the Sheraton Waikiki, was named the Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year. Kervin was selected to receive our industry's top annual award based on his exceptional professionalism, service on the job at the Sheraton Waikiki and outstanding community service. The Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year award was one of nine honors presented at the annual statewide luncheon honoring Hawaii's top hospitality industry employees. The winners and finalists are an example of the thousands of employees that make Hawaii such a special destination. A highlight of the event, made all the more entertaining by emcees Shannon Scott and Lina Girl Langi of Summit Media Hawaii, was the announcement of the Charity Walk Challenge by 2014 Visitor Industry Charity Walk chairperson, Kelly Hoen, general manager of The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort. Kelly is pitting the mayors of Kauai, Oahu, Maui and the Big Island against each other in a friendly competition to inspire their islands to raise the most donations for the Charity Walk. The county with the largest percentage growth over the previous year will be the winner. The victor will receive bragging rights and a special handcrafted koa-wood slipper trophy that symbolizes the Walk. The mayors have entered into this matchup with good humor and the intent to inspire their communities to raise more money for Hawaii's charities. We appreciate their kokua. Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho and Oahu Mayor Kirk Caldwell attended the Na Poe luncheon and good-naturedly squared off against each other following the announcement. This year's charity walk schedule is as follows: Lanai and Molokai on Saturday, May 3; Hawaii Island and Maui on Saturday, May 10; and Oahu and Kauai on Saturday, May 17. Stay tuned in mid-May for the winning mayor and county. George D. Szigeti is president & CEO of the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA). ASSOCIATION NEWS Hawaii Chapter News and Events By Shelly Awaya B elated two-year anniversary congratulations go out to our Maui chapter, which was chartered in Sept. 2012. Although still a fledging chapter, Maui has flourished with nearly 30 members under the guidance of President David Crouch, director of operations for Aston Hotels & Resorts. Crouch, along with his board of directors, has given the Valley Isle a great outlet for hospitality industry professionals to network and get more involved with their community. They already have hosted programs on hotel hygiene and workplace biological containment and, in Feb., held a vendor fair honoring those members who support the hospitality industry on Maui. We look forward to the Maui chapter doing even greater things in 2014 with the election and installation of officers. If you would like to keep up with the Maui chapter, please visit www.iehamaui.org. For those of you who were unable to attend the Jan. meeting at Kaimuki High School, Elaine Simon, public relations chair, announced that our chapter now has a Facebook page. If you already have a personal profile, please go to www.facebook.com/IEHAHawaii and "Like" our page to get updates, view photos and catch up on industry trends-get connected via online social media. Our next meeting will be March 12 at Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. Visit our website, www.hawaii-ieha.org, for more information and updates on the meeting program, and details on the April 2014 fashion show coordinated by John Yamamoto of Park Shore Waikiki and Karen Fowler of Cintas. Send your meeting RSVP to Veronica Mayer at vmmayer@outlook.com and encourage colleagues and other housekeeping professionals to attend a meeting with you to boost membership enrollment. Mahalo for your support! www.hawaiihospitalityonline.com 19 http://www.facebook.com/IEHAHawaii http://www.hawaii-ieha.org http://www.iehamaui.org http://www.hawaiihospitalityonline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hawaii Hospitality - March/April 2014

Marketplace
Walk the Talk
Na Poe Paahana Awards
Travel Pono
News Briefs
HRA Employee Excellence Awards
New Restaurants
Big Island Hospitality
Talk Story with GEORGE SZIGETI
Association News
Food & Beverage SuperStars, Part two
Featured Department: Food & Beverage

Hawaii Hospitality - March/April 2014