Hawaii Hospitality - March/April 2014 - (Page 10)

NEWS BRIEFS Outrigger Announces Key Changes Outrigger Reef on the Beach has announced some key management appointments. Aurelio Garcia is the new executive chef. Previously, Garcia was chef at the Ocean House and executive chef at the former Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch & Crab. Mizuki "Mindy" Mabuchi is the new sales manager- Japan/Asia. She previously served as an executive consultant for RGF Jalan USA Inc. and was sales/marketing/media producer in the travel information division of Recruit Co., Ltd. (Jalan headquarters). Jamie Wong is the new director of revenue management. Wong was previously director of revenue management for OHANA Hotels & Resorts. Mauna Lani Names New GM Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows has named Rodney Ito its general manager on the Big Island. Ito will oversee operations for the award-winning 341-room oceanfront resort. Ito's most recent position was director of operations at JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. Previously Rodney was general manager and director of operations Rodney Ito for Marriott International's Waikoloa Beach and Waikiki Beach properties, as well as area director of operations, North Asia, Hawaii and South Pacific. FSR Debuts Luxury Airport Lounge Four Seasons Resorts Lanai now welcomes guests before they even board their flight. Guests may use FSR's first full service, exclusively reserved luxury lounge located in Honolulu International Airport's commuter terminal. According to Jim Merkel, president and chief executive officer of Rockbridge, RB Hotel Development will manage the project and Pyramid Hotel Group will operate the hotel. The hotel is next to the International Market Place, an openair mall currently undergoing a $350 million redevelopment. Expected to draw millions of annual visitors, the new market place will transform into a 360,000-square-foot, three-story shopping destination anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue. Four Seasons Hires New Golf Director Four Seasons Resorts Lanai has hired Scott Ashworth, PGA, as its new director of golf. Manele has added a new clubhouse restaurant; Four Seasons plans for the redesign of its Koele course. Four Seasons Resorts Lanai has assumed the management The Challenge at Manele is a golf course of golf operations for the built on lava outcroppings above Hulopoe Manele Bay golf course, Bay at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. one of Jack Nicklaus' crowning achievements in golf design, and the Koele. Ashworth has more than 25 years of experience in the golf industry and has received many accolades while a member and president of the PGA Aloha Section, including Golf Professional of the Year for Hawaii, Bill Strausbaugh Award (2009, 2012), the Horton Smith Award, and most recently, Merchandiser of the Year. Hokulani Waikiki Debuts The Hilton Grand Vacations Club officially debuted its newest resort, Hokulani Waikiki, on Jan. 28. Located on Kalakaua Ave., the timeshare property celebrated its grand opening with a reception hosted by Mark Wang, president, Global Sales and Hilton Grand Vacations. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and other local dignitaries welcomed Hokulani Waikiki as the final component of the Waikiki Beach Walk® development, known for shopping, dining and entertainment. The resort features Waikiki's only open-air, rooftop pool bar, complete with six private cabanas appointed with upscale amenities. The 1,000-square-foot luxury lounge offers a retreat-like setting for passengers prior to the flight to Lanai. Guests enjoy complimentary amenities-including food, beverages, iPads, Wi-Fi access, charging stations, luggage holding areas, magazines, newspapers and high-definition TVs. A lounge concierge is available to assist with check-in, and activity and restaurant reservations. Rockbridge Buys Aqua Waikiki Wave Rockbridge Partners has announced the acquisition of the Aqua Waikiki Wave Hotel, a 247-room hotel on Kuhio Ave. 10 Hawaii Hospitality ■ March/April 2014 From left: Bitsy Kelley, vice president of corporate communications, Outrigger Enterprises Group; Mark Wang, president Global Sales & Hilton Grand Vacations; and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell

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