Hawaii Hospitality - September/October 2013 - (Page 18)

ASSOCIATION News Brand-New Home By Roger Morey, HRA Executive Director O n July 4, the Hawaii Restaurant Association (HRA) celebrated America’s birthday by launching a new website. Launched with pomp and circumstance to befit its updated look, it has new features and a wealth of information. You can check it out at www. hawaiirestaurant.org. The home page is, in a word, “scrumptious.” With photos of lau lau, blueberry scallops, Cajun shrimp, banana-strawberry acai, the first moments on the website could be fattening. Below the photographs, you’ll find a brief summary about the HRA, as well as featured upcoming events. One such event is the 2013 Hawaii Restaurant Association Hall of Fame, which will be held Sept. 23 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel. By clicking on the link, you can find information about the event, the inductees, Chefs of Aloha and more. The right-hand column gives a nod to our major sponsors and features a more detailed calendar, listing upcoming and past events. You can download presenter notes from our latest seminars, such as “Tip Credit” and the “Affordable Care Act.” Hawaii Restaurant Association A Salute to Housekeepers By Shelly Awaya A s we celebrate Housekeepers Week in Hawaii Sept. 8-14, it is important that we express our gratitude for our housekeepers who are loyal and steadfast in their dedication to our profession. Mahalo for all you do to help us thrive through the industry changes and trends! During the July 2013 Hawaii Chapter meeting, our membership was given a brief overview of succession planning by Aston Waikiki Sunset’s director of housekeeping Madeline Chang. Longtime executives were advised that, as many of the department heads prepare to retire in the next five to 10 years, now is the time to start teaching assistants and supervisors to eventually perform upper-level management work. NEWSBriefs HRA Names 2013-14 Officers The Hawaii Restaurant Association (HRA) has announced new officers for the upcoming year. Inducted by retiring chair Tom Jones of Gyotaku Japanese Restaurants, officers elected to serve until June 30, 2014, were: Chair: Bryan Andaya, vice president and chief operating officer, L&L Franchise Inc. Chair Elect: Dirk Koeppenkastrop, founder and co-owner, Il Gelato Hawaii Vice Chair: Pat Kashani, owner, Auntie Pasto’s (Beretania) 18 Hawaii Hospitality ■ Treasurer: Eron Read, director of restaurant and retail development, Kona Brewing Co. Secretary: Tushar Dubey, president, Hokulani Bake Shop “The strength of our organization is reflected in its leadership. Our association is pleased to be the leading advocate for the foodservice industry in Hawaii,” says Andaya. Six new directors also were elected to the board, representing both restaurant and allied members. They are: Patrick Dolan of Dixie Grill, Tushar Dubey of Hokulani Bake Shop, Pat Kashani of Auntie Pasto’s, Len Delekta of Image Apparel Hawaii, Kevin Matsuda of Hawaii National September/October 2013 Other links you’ll want to check out: “Quick Links” helps you navigate through the pages of the site. The “Board,” where you can meet our board of directors and visit their companies. The “Membership” page contains a list of regular and allied members. It also defines the benefits and types of memberships available, with printable application forms. Later this year, online forms will replace printable forms to allow for instant membership and payment. Visit the “Legislative” page to keep up to date on government affairs. Our committee is already preparing for the next legislative session. “Resources” includes information and links to the National Restaurant Association and ServSafe. “News + Events” lists past and future events. We even have a new logo, designed in a softer color and easier-toread font, but our tag lines remain the same: “People serving people” and “The Leading Advocate for Hawaii’s Foodservice Industries.” Let us know what you think of our website or how we can better meet your needs—we rely on your input. Send us a note at info@hawaiirestaurant.org. “If you want to be an effective leader, you have to be committed,” says Chang. “True commitment inspires and attracts people.” A shortage of dedicated, capable and properly-educated workers could pose problems for hotels, resorts and other businesses that rely on skilled and poised professionals. If you are planning to retire, you are strongly encouraged to engage your staff into becoming the future leaders who carry on your legacy. Make plans to attend Bosses’ Night at Pomaikai Ballrooms on Oct. 11 (RSVP and payment due date is Sept. 6). We expect a soldout event, with a delicious Hawaiian buffet, local group Kapena as the evening’s entertainment and our silent auction. For more information go to www.hawaii-ieha.org. Our next meeting is Sept. 11 at Aulani, a Disney Resort. A tour of the facilities is to begin at 9:30 a.m. before the general meeting at 10 a.m. Bank and Gerda Tom of Aloha Shoyu. Lotus Honolulu Lands "Joshua Team" Monogram Hotel Joshua Gray Joshua Gahret Collection, a division of Aqua Hospitality, announced Aqua’s president and CEO. the appointments of Joshua “The ‘Joshua team’ has strong Gray as general manager operational experience and and Joshua Gahret as hotel results-oriented skills that are manager for the 51-room Lotus perfect for Lotus Honolulu’s Honolulu. exciting new positioning in “Aqua Hospitality’s Waikiki.” reputation as a Hawaii hotel For the past eight years leader with a commitment Gray was at Wynn Las Vegas, to exceptional guest service most recently as strategic is why we hire the best and marketing manager. Gahret promote the most qualified was promoted from guest individuals to key management services manager to hotel positions,” said Ben Rafter, manager of Lotus Honolulu. http://www.hawaiirestaurant.org http://www.hawaii-ieha.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hawaii Hospitality - September/October 2013

Garden Isle's Ohana
Social Media
Visitor Sector Renovations
Featured Department: Housekeeping
New Restaurants
HLHF Expo Recap
Clean Talk with Rose
Talk Story with George Szigeti
Association News/News Brief
MarketPlace

Hawaii Hospitality - September/October 2013