OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa (OKR)
Meet Arno Ferreira
BY VICKY AKANA — OKR is proud to have our very first paid summer intern! Arno is going to be a junior at Konawaena High School in the fall. He will also be attending the Pālamanui Culinary Program. After high school, Arno plans to study food sciences on the mainland. He wants to travel to Germany to gain work experience and learn how to make different German foods such as brötchens, franzbrötchens, Nürnberger and different breads. He wishes to become a successful chef/baker in the industry and hopes to open his own bakery.
While walking through the OKR kitchen you will see Arno supporting the team with their duties. He assists with prepping, maintaining workstations, keeping the work areas clean, replenishing supplies and other duties as assigned by the staff. He is very focused on his assigned tasks and is truly getting on-the-job mentorship and training; his soiled apron is proof!
We are extremely proud of Chefs Ash, Andy and Mark and our amazing cooks James, Bernie, Bobby, Boyce, Brandon, Clayton, Erik, Genaro, Vinnie, Nikki, Queenie, Randy, Reuben and Ryan for providing Arno with valuable experience and insight into the hospitality industry.
Arno is very fortunate to work with our talented and hard-working culinary team at OKR. We wish him continued success in his culinary journey. Perhaps in the future, he will return to Kona to bring his OKR ʻohana some samples of his German sausages!
Mahalo, Arno, and OKR kitchen, Imua!
OUTRIGGER MALDIVES MAAFUSHIVARU RESORT (MAM)
Eid-al Adha Celebrations
BY AYAASHA ISHAAQ — Eid al-Adha is a time for Muslims to come together and strengthen the bonds of community and brotherhood. Families and friends gather to exchange gifts, share meals and visit one another. It is a time of joy and celebration, marked by acts of kindness, generosity and forgiveness. At MAM, we celebrated with a special lunch and evening tea and also played Eid games with all our hosts.
OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort (ORF)
ABC Store
BY CECI HAMAO — ABC Store opened on Monday, June 19. The sundry shop offers convenience items including to-go salads and deli items and is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Kyle Seto, store manager, and his team are excited to partner with us. Hosts and guests are also thrilled to have an ABC Store on property.
Aloha Swim Event
BY CECI HAMAO — Modern Luxury Hawai‘i’s first Aloha Swim event was on July 1. Thank you to all those involved for your hard work in the preparation and flawless execution of the event.
With summer in full swing, our beachfront location and having one of the largest resort pools in Waikīkī, celebrating swimwear is a perfect fit for the OUTRIGGER Reef.
Attendees enjoyed a one-of-a-kind fashion show by the poolside and A‘e Kai Courtyard, live entertainment by celebrity DJ and pro surfer Keala Kennelly, pop-up shops in our Diamond Head Ballrooms for “shop-the-runway” looks, curated menus from Pai Honolulu, Umi by Vikram Garg, Aloha Donut, Pesca and our very own Kani Ka Pila Grille, along with drinks from On The Rocks, June Shine and Suntory Beam.
Aloha Swim also supported the OutriggerCARES Foundation.
First OUTRIGGER Platinum Member Welcomed
BY MADELEINE NOA — Markus Krebs, Ceci Hamao and I greeted our first OUTRIGGER Platinum Member family with fresh flower lei. With priority check-in, our goal is to have them start enjoying their stay with us immediately. In that effort, members are presented with our membership packet upon joining and all features and benefits are explained to ensure an expedited check-in process, along with confirmed reservations for dining and/or activities.
Monkeypod Kitchen
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman at the OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort held a blessing on Monday, July 10. The evening prior, an invitation-only soft opening was held as they tested and practiced their craft before opening to the public. By all accounts, the food, the service and the ambiance were a spectacular kickoff to what is sure to be favorite for both guests and kamaʻāina.
Namaste from the OUTRIGGER Reef
Yesterday was ORF’s first yoga class in their Movement Studio. Complimentary for guests 18 years and older every Wednesday and Sunday at 9 a.m., reservations are required with sign-up at the front desk by 3 p.m. the day prior to class.
What a wonderful complement to the many offerings at ORF!
O Ke Kai Series (OKKS)
BY LUANA MAITLAND — Joining Denise Kekuna, Norman Ho, Joy Ancheta and Ryan Oliveras with the Friends of Hokule‘a & Hawaii‘iloa at the O Ke Kai Series on Saturday, June 17, were Bonnie, Mahealani and Mahina with the Kanehunamoku Voyaging Society (KVS).
This year at each series, the KVS staff and students are restoring canoe paddles once used on property at ORF. At the final OKKS in November, we will present all 12 paddles to the students to be used for training at KVS.
Also joining the workshop was Master Coconut weaver Kaulu Lehua from Waianae. We’re looking forward to having him back at the next O Ke Kai Series on September 16.
