OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa (OKR)
World Manta Day Celebration
BY VICKY AKANA — OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa and the Manta Pacific Research Foundation presented Manta Festival 2023 in celebration of World Manta Day on September 16. The day began with an oli from our director of culture, Nani Kupihe. Informative manta ray talks and marine environmental and conservation discussions were given by local, national and international experts:
- Kaitlyn McQueenie, Manta Pacific Research Foundation
- Mark Deakos PhD, of the Hawai‘i Association for Marine Education and Research
- Csilla Ari D’Agostino PhD, of the University of South Florida and the Manta Pacific Research Foundation
- Corey Nevels, University of Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology
- Ashley Wills, M.S. Fish & Habitat Monitoring Planner, Division of Aquatic Resources, DLNR
- Keller Laros, founder, Pacific Research Foundation
- Mark Hackney, Marine Megafauna Foundation
- Jeff & Teri Leicher of Jack’s Diving Locker and Malama Kai Foundation
A mahalo reception followed with pupu and drinks and a raffle for grand prizes. At 7 p.m. a short film “Origins, Manta Rays in Kona Hawai‘i” by Morgan Eason and Keller Laros was shown.
It was a beautiful evening out by the bay celebrating and learning about the majestic creatures of the sea with one making an appearance just for the occasion.
OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort (ORF)
Hāna Hou Festival Kicks off with Kani Ka Pila Grille Preview
Kawika Kahiapo – master of Kī hō’alu (slack key guitar) and resident artist who plays each Thursday at Kani Ka Pila Grille – performed his set Sept. 7 with special guest, beloved ‘ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro, ahead of Jake’s inaugural Hāna Hou Music Festival.
As the official hospitality partner of the Hāna Hou Festival, which took place Sept. 8-9 at Hawai‘i Theater, OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort hosted this free preview concert at Kani Ka Pila Grille. Guests enjoyed a relaxing evening of music and island fare under the stars ahead of the festival, a two-night jam session that brought together musical artists across Pop, Jazz and Hawaiian genres.
O Ke Kai Series
Another successful O Ke Kai Series was held on Saturday, September 16, with the Friends of Hokule‘a & Hawai‘loa. There was a constant flow of interest from guests to passersby to locals, like Ed Napia and Radford Cuch, friends of area director of front services So’o Tana.
The final series of the year will be on Saturday, December 2, from 9 a.m. to noon with special guest artist Kamea Hadar and live Hawaiian music.
OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel (OBC)
Wahine Toa Lunch & Learn
BY LAUREN YAMAMOTO — This week OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel hosted 15 young women from New Zealand’s The Rising Foundation. The organization, founded in 2009, identifies young, talented high school students in South Auckland and provides them with tools to help them find their voices and create a path for themselves as compassionate, healthy, responsible members of a community. In addition to mentorship and educational assistance, The Rising Foundation executes world-class adventure camps and excursions – once-in-a-lifetime experiences designed to build confidence, foster creativity and inspire vision and drive.
Yesterday several powerful female community leaders participated in a collaborative Lunch & Learn session entitled “Wahine Toa” and collectively communicated to our Rising Foundation audience The OUTRIGGER Way pillars of caring for our hosts, caring for our guests and caring for our place. A sincere and heartfelt thanks to Ruthann Yamanaka, chief people officer (OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group), Robyn Ah Mow, head coach, women’s volleyball (University of Hawai‘i at Manoa), Kiana Beimes, general manager (OHANA Waikiki East by OUTRIGGER) and Aunty Luana Maitland, director of cultural experience (OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels) for breathing life into our OUTRIGGER values through their personal stories and experiences.
The girls were treated to dinner at Kani Ka Pila Grille and Coach Robyn invited them to the wahine ‘Bows’ game over the weekend where they won against Cal State Bakersfield!
To have been a small part of the journey of these young women of The Rising Foundation has been such a gift. Their authenticity, warmth and heartfelt appreciation have been felt by everyone who has had the opportunity to interact with them. We wish them well and look forward to hearing about the impact they’ve made in their communities!