OHANA Waikiki East by OUTRIGGER (OEH)
The Mermaid Game Returns at Q2 All Host Get Together
BY KATHERINE ALLEN – While celebrating World Ocean Month in June, OEH hosted their 2nd Quarter All Host Meeting at OBC having everyone against their seats eager to hear more about OEHs transformation project! OEH has been undergoing major renovations since November 2023 and are more than halfway through the project! Hosts were excited to learn about the renderings and what OEH will be rebranded to. Hosts also enjoyed a recreation of the renowned mermaid game played last year for Q2. Clara Han, Janice Ng and Wai Heng Leong were the winners for best created mermaid in under three minutes!
OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort (OKB)
Last Chance: Vote OKB For Best Resort in Hawaii
OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort has been nominated for Best Resort in Hawaii, as part of USA TODAY 10Best’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Over the next few weeks, USA TODAY 10Best readers will be voting on their favorites, once per day, until ballots close on Monday, July 15th at 11:59am EDT. The top 10 winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10Best readers, will be announced on Wednesday, July 24th at noon EDT.
Cast your vote Now for OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort, HERE.
A Fun-Filled 4th of July Celebration at OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort
BY VENUS YI – OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort hosted a vibrant July 4th celebration, welcoming locals and visitors to a day packed with fun activities. The festivities began with a sandcastle competition on Kā‘anapali Beach, showcasing creative sculptures.
In the Kanahele Room, the Maui Ocean Center delighted attendees with a “Live” Coral Feeding and an engaging “Sea Talk – Love of our Ocean” presentation by Tapani Vuori. NOAA’s inflatable whale exhibit was a hit, with over a hundred guests exploring the life-sized model.
The `Ohana Room offered traditional Lomilomi massages by Tim Hogan and a wellness bar by Maile Magalianes, providing a serene retreat. Resort lawns buzzed with local craft vendors, yard games, shave ice, and cold beverages, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Guests enjoyed a BBQ feast at the `Ulu Lawn, featuring Huli Huli Chicken, BBQ Ribs, Cheeseburgers, and Hot Dogs. The Hele On stand served root beer and coke floats alongside popcorn throughout the day.
Entertainment included ukulele lessons by Jason from Lahaina Music, DJ Randy “Skinny Guy” Bermudez, face painting, balloon twisting by Cirque Jolie, and live music by the Adrian Trevino Band. The celebration concluded with a screening of “Top Gun: Maverick” under the stars.
The event was open to the public, offering a memorable blend of activities, delicious food and vibrant entertainment for all. A huge shout out to our amazing hosts for their dedication and hard work. You made this 4th of July truly special and a day to remember.
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa (OKR)
Independence Day in Paradise
BY FRANCINE MOLINA – OKR honored our favorite OUTRIGGER value with JULY 4th celebrations! Our culinary team made a great BBQ themed lunch with baked beans, bbq ribs, potato salad and more! All while manning the pool side grill where the flipped burgers and slow roasted hotdogs for our guests.
Geoff Pearson Joins Panel of Experts on Hawai’i Island Business Panel July 12
OKR general manager Geoff Pearson has been named to the Panel of Experts for Pacific Business News’ Hawaii Island Business Panel to be held Friday, July 12 at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel from noon to 3pm. Topics include Opportunities to do business on Hawai’i Island, Strategies for recruitment and retention, Exploring sustainable tourism and Hawai’i Island economic outlook. Click, HERE, to purchase tickets for the lunch buffet and panel discussion.
OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort (MAM)
Inter Department Treasure Hunt Has Hosts Scrambling for Clues
BY AYAASHA ISHAAQ – Our inter department Treasure Hunt is more than just a game, it’s a powerful team-building activity that fosters collaboration, problem-solving skills and camaraderie among hosts.
We crafted a series of clues and challenges that required teams to work together to solve. Clues ranged from riddles and puzzles to tasks that required hosts to interact with resort resources, hosts or specific departments. All the departments were given a map of the host area to help them navigate through the challenges. Five hosts from each department took part in the hunt and all the rules regarding safety, conduct and how clues should be handled was communicated in advance. Information was also given about the start and end times, checkpoints, and any specific instructions for completing challenges. ensuring all participants understood the rules to maintain fairness and safety throughout the treasure hunt.
In the end, the Housekeeping Team found the treasure box, and was duly rewarded by our HR manager, Mohamed Husam.
OUTRIGGER Mauritius Beach Resort (MOR)
June Host of the Month (HOM): MELISSA MARTINE
The monthly Town Hall meeting was held in an enthusiastic way with conversations on upcoming activities, activities done in June, surprise games, guest feedback, birthday celebrations and recognizing our amazing Host of the Month, Melissa Martine. Melissa is from the front office, in guest relations, and has been continuously focused on guest experience whereby she is being recognized very often on Revinate and Unifocus. Melissa is always helpful and consistently exceeds the expectation of guests.
– Nominated by Michael Gaarde-Nielsen, general manager
Badminton and Yoga Foster Well-Being at MOR
BY KHARESHMA SONOO RAJJOO – To help our hosts stay well and healthy, physical well-being resources and encouragement are given to our hosts to promote their well-being. Each month a series of physical and mental activities, such as badminton and yoga are offered for hosts to participate in. The activities provide a fun and relaxing moment altogether. To further strengthen the physical well-being of our hosts, they are given the opportunity to use the Gym at specific time of the day throughout the week as well.
At MOR, we commit to care for the society, in particular to those in need. The team collected unused but good conditioned items from home, such as clothes, toys and stationery which were donated to those in need. Being sustainable, these items could be reused rather than being wasted.
OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort (ORF)
June Host of the Month (HOM): RICK NOMURA
Rick has been with OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort for 13 + years, and consistently demonstrates exceptional performance and dedication, significantly contributing to our team’s success. One of Rick’s standout qualities is his ability to connect with our guests, earning numerous positive reviews. Guests frequently praise his warm hospitality, attentiveness, and willingness to go above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay. His commitment to providing excellent service has not gone unnoticed and has greatly enhanced our guests’ experience.
Rick has received a wealth of positive feedback from returning guests. Many of them specifically mentioned Rick as a main reason why they choose to come back. His friendly demeanor, personalized service, and genuine care made our return guests extremely loyal to OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Furthermore, Rick’s proficiency in Japanese has been an invaluable asset. With the influx of Japanese visitors, his ability to communicate fluently has facilitated smoother interactions and ensured that our Japanese-speaking guests feel welcomed and well-informed. Rick’s translations and culturally sensitive guidance have been instrumental in making their stays comfortable and enjoyable. Rick’s exceptional skills, coupled with his unwavering dedication to guest satisfaction, make him an exemplary Host of the Month award recipient. His contributions have significantly enriched our team and the overall guest experience. Mahalo Rick, for all your hard work and well-deserved recognition.
– Nominated by So’o Tana, area director of front services
ORF June Celebrations Shine Light on Exceptional Contributions of Hosts
BY RENEE SPEAR – Congratulations to HOM Nominees; Miho Lat, Stephen Nunokawa, Joanna Lee, Jun Cho and Primo Unciano. Mahalo to our ICare Card recipients Elizabeth Aguinaldo, Terumi Mahoe and Jason Han for creating memorable experiences for our guests. Congratulations to our June & Quarter 2 TripAdvisor Name Mention honoree Mariflor Calimbas and our Manager of the Quarter 2; Michael Piasecki.
A special thanks to all our hosts who came out to OUTRIGGER Zone Day to make Genki Balls for the Genki Ala Wai Project, and a warm welcome to our summer interns, Gabriel Baker & Christian Kauhane. We had an amazing time at our Q2 Host Luncheon celebrating our many achievements.
OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort (OWK)
A Hui Hou, So’o!
BY VICTORIA TAPICERIA – Congratulations on your well-deserved promotion as the General Manager for Regency on Beachwalk Waikiki by OUTRIGGER, Waikiki Shore by OUTRIGGER, and AOAO of Regency on Beachwalk. Although we are SO’O sad to see you go, the OWK and ORF ‘ohana is incredibly proud of you and we look forward to seeing you shine in your new position. Mahalo for everything you have done for us as our Area Director of Front Services, and as a friend. Best wishes to you on your journey……. go get em’ Mr. GM!
Last Chance: Vote OWK For Best Resort in Hawaii
OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort has been nominated for Best Resort in Hawaii, as part of USA TODAY 10Best’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Over the next few weeks, USA TODAY 10Best readers will be voting on their favorites, once per day, until ballots close on Monday, July 15th at 11:59am EDT. The top 10 winners, as ranked by USA TODAY 10Best readers, will be announced on Wednesday, July 24th at noon EDT.
Cast your vote Now for OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort, HERE.
Genki Ball Champions of the World!
BY VICTORIA TAPICERIA – Mahalo to everyone who volunteered for our Q2 OUTRIGGERCares Volunteer Event (OZONE Day) at the Waikiki Aquarium. Congratulations to our OWK ‘ohana for making the most Genki Balls in six minutes during the relay competition. Special thank you to Janelle Chong, Mae Lampitoc, Ricky Kuga, Lauren Li, Ric Damo and Steve Miller for helping us take home the crown! Way to go team OWK!
OWK ‘Ohana Gets Front Row Seat to Worlds Oldest Outrigger Canoe Race
Every 4th of July canoe paddlers from around Oahu join thousands of tourists at Waikiki Beach for the Outrigger Canoe Club’s annual Walter J. Macfarlane Memorial Canoe Regatta. The Macfarlane Regatta is the only wave race on the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association schedule and is the oldest annual outrigger canoe race in the world, getting its start in 1943.
It’s only fitting the event was held fronting the first OUTRIGGER Resort in the world** and after the races were over, OWK hosted the MacFarlane Regatta Military Awards Ceremony. The regatta is named after Walter J. Macfarlane, a part-Hawaiian Territorial Legislator, avid waterman, businessman and president of the Outrigger Canoe Club at the time of his death in June 1943.
** Note: The company opened their first hotel in 1947, but OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort – founded in 1969 – was the first property named OUTRIGGER.
Enjoy these amazing photos from the day, courtesy of Erik Kabik Photography, erikkabik.com
OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel (OBC)
Meet the Heroes of the Month at OBC
BY CECI HAMAO – This June, we decided to replace our Host of Month and Manager of the Quarter honors to recognize nine remarkable hosts who worked hard to save the day when an unexpected incident happened at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel.
On June 12, a contractor was using their forklift machine to dump debris into the open top dumpster bin located at the loading dock. He accidentally struck the sprinkler piping, causing the sprinkler to break and water from the sprinkler head flooded the area. The incident happened twice that day, the first one at 1:40pm and again at 5:24pm.
Housekeeping and Maintenance hosts responded immediately and worked diligently to contain the water and clean up the area. They also moved heavy items from the hotel and Macy’s storage room to avoid damage.
We are so grateful for our Housekeeping and Maintenance hosts who saved the day!
Mahalo Noel Gamiao, Gerry Gaez, Ben Semana, Rey Deperalta, Dennis Dang, Ryan Palacay, Poldo Valencia, Cencio Agliam and Jun Pimentel
The OBCircus Comes to Life at Q2 All Host Meeting
BY JENNIFER YAMADA – Can you believe that we’re halfway through 2024? Below are som photos from the Q2 All Host Meeting, aka OBCircus! Ceci shared some exciting updates about Cirque Du Soleil and then we celebrated our Heroes of the Month. It was great to have so many come out to honor these wonderful team members. Also included are our iCare honorees; Arsenia Bactat, Jenn Yamada, Mary Atkinson, Mark Wornson, TripAdvisor name mention recipients – Kristina Arola and Carleen Pimentel, Safety Raffle Champion – AJ Yanit and Nor1 Upgrade Leader – Yoshi Takamura.
Special thanks to our team members who came to volunteer at OUTRIGGER Zone Day. It was a beautiful day at the Waikiki Aquarium as we made Genki Balls to clean up the Ala Wai Canal, learned about water conservation with our OUTRIGGER Zone Passports and enjoyed complimentary Kona Ice.
The gallery was not found!