Hawaii Hospitality - March/April 2014 - (Page 4)

Walk the Talk HLTA's Charity Walk Gives Back to Hawaii T he challenge is on. The mayors are ready to rally. And Royal Hawaiian hotel General Manager Kelly Hoen's ready with "da koa-wood slipper award." What's it all for? The 2014 Visitor Industry Charity Walk-one of Hawaii's biggest hospitality industry events, and happening this May. Sponsored by the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, the Charity Walk has raised $26 million on behalf Hawaii charities since its The 2014 Visitor Industry Charity Walk promises to be bigger and better than ever. inception in 1978. Hotels are once again planning to do the walk as teams and are coordinating fundraisers of every kind. Last year, 14,736 people walked on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai, raising more than $1.7 million. This year the event may hit new heights with Hoen as chairperson elect. She's matching up Hawaii's mayors for some friendly competition to help each county ramp things up. And while our most populated island may think that the slipper award's a shoe-in, note that last year's 6,800 Oahu walkers raised $452,000-while Maui's 2,327 walkers raised $742,775. The real winners are local charities, so let's pull together. Join in this year's Visitor Industry Charity Walk on May 3 on Molokai and Lanai, May 10 on Maui and the Big Island, and May 17 on Oahu and Kauai. For more information, visit www.charitywalkhawaii.org. Hawaii's Outstanding Hospitality Professionals Take the Stage at HLTA's Annual Na Poe Paahana Awards Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom was abuzz with excitement Jan. 14 as housekeepers, security guards, concierges, chefs, engineers and other Hawaii hotel professionals gathered for the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association's 24th Annual Na Poe Paahana Awards Recognition Luncheon. Na Poe Paahana, which translates to "the hardworking people," recognizes nominees who have been selected by their managers for outstanding professionalism and performance on the job as well as service in the community. Hotel teams from around the state cheered as their coworkers took the stage, including 250 Honorable Mention winners. But it was the presentation of the Na Poe Finalists-three in eight 4 Hawaii Hospitality ■ March/April 2014 categories-that set the audience on the edge of its seats, as winners had yet to be announced. And, as Masters of Ceremony Shannon Scott and Lina Girl from KCCN radio read highlights from each nomination submission, the crowd was clearly moved by the exceptional dedication of every finalist. All 24 finalists are presented below. Special congratulations to Sheraton Waikiki Chef and Second Cook Kervin Leval, who won the highest honor as Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year. Both Leval and Moana Surfrider Director of Engineering and Sustainability Harzali Hashim, who won Manager of the Year, will be nominated for the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Stars of the Industry Awards Program for national consideration. http://www.charitywalkhawaii.org

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