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
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