Celebrating Housekeeping Week: Honoring Our Unsung Heroes
Housekeeping Week (September 8-14) was a time to celebrate our incredible housekeeping hosts who care for our guests and our place every day in The OUTRIGGER Way.
Here’s a look at how our properties across the globe honored our hosts on Housekeeping Week…
Castaway Island, Fiji (FCI)
BY WASEROMA BALEINAMAKA – At Castaway Island Resort, we are proud and pleased to celebrate Housekeeping Week, a special time to honor and recognize the hard work and dedication of our exceptional housekeeping team. The week-long event was opened on Sunday, September 8 by General Manager Steven Andrews who addressed the team on the significance of Housekeeping Week.
“On behalf of the OUTRIGGER Family and FCI management team, I am grateful for all that you do for the resort, you are the unsung heroes and are at the heart of delivering pristine, welcoming environment that our valued guests enjoy daily. Your commitment to excellence ensures that every room is a haven of comfort, cleanliness and tranquility,” said Andrews.
Throughout the week, we shined a spotlight on their contributions through various activities and events. From team-building exercises and award ceremonies, we aimed to express our gratitude for the tireless efforts. This week was also an opportunity to foster camaraderie, promote wellness and encourage professional growth within the team. At Castaway Island Resort, we believe that a strong, motivated housekeeping team is essential to delivering the unforgettable experiences our guests cherish.
To our remarkable housekeeping team, we thank you for your passion, perseverance and the pride you take in your work. Housekeeping Week is a testament to your invaluable role in making Castaway Island Resort the perfect island escape for all who visit.
EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON WAIKIKI BEACH WALK (ESH)
BY KA’IMI KALEI – Many are unaware of what it physically takes to do this job, and this week aims to recognize and malama are dedicated Housekeepers. At ESH, we had a full week of games, activities, and delicious food and snacks. Mahalo to our Food and Beverage team for cooking daily breakfast throughout the week. With the Olympics taking place this year, it was only fitting that we conducted the games Olympic style. For the daily games, we kept track of all the points scored by individuals and tallied them up to see who scored the most throughout the week and would be named our Housekeeping Week Olympic Champion.
Starting with Monday, we enjoyed eggs and sausage, with one of our favorite games, toilet toss. Thank you to our Engineering team for creating a fake toilet seat for us to toss toilet paper rolls inside. During the evening, candy bars were passed out for a late sugar rush to push the hosts through the day.
Tuesday, we had some savory French toast and various fruits and played ring toss. This was definitely the Housekeeper’s favorite game as it got noticeably loud and intense at moments. For the late snack we were fortunate enough to receive a selection of musubi’s from Musubi Café Iyasume. Mahalo Barbara and WBW team for contributing to our Housekeeping week.
Wednesday morning we got to indulge in egg foo young and fried rice and played corn hole. With the hosts having a lot of practice in the afternoon, the scoring for that day was definitely high. In the afternoon, we hosted our Quarter 3 Host Luncheon.
Thursday morning, we got served delicious pancakes and fruits and changed the tempo to Zumba. With the laborious work our Housekeepers do on the daily, we wanted to start their day by warming up their bodies and having fun at the same time. This activity was a hit, as all Housekeepers joined in dancing with big smiles on their faces. In the evening, we passed out Meadow Gold ice cream cups, donated from our kind vendors to help us celebrate our hosts.
Friday morning, we enjoyed breakfast sandwiches and waffle fries. And since Zumba was a big hit the day before, we decided to host it again after breakfast. With doing the same routine as the day before, most of the Housekeepers remembered the moves and certainly looked like pros by the second day. In the afternoon, the managers hosted a small potluck where they cooked/baked/brought a dish for all the hosts to enjoy.
The celebrations continued even through the weekend with the return of bingo. There were also more treats with ice pops and watermelon – the team’s favorite. It was such a delight to see a week full of positive energy. We truly appreciate our Housekeeping team for their essential role in our operations. Mahalo Housekeepers, your dedication and passion does not go unnoticed.
Hawai’i Vacation Condos by OUTRIGGER
Regency on Beach Walk Waikiki & Waikiki Shore Resort by OUTRIGGER
BY SO’O TANA – This week, we celebrated Housekeeping Week and expressed our deep appreciation for all the hard work that goes into keeping our guest rooms spotless every day. Our housekeeping team had a fantastic time with daily breakfasts, engaging games, and a special luncheon in their honor. A big thank you to our HR and Condo Division teams for joining our luncheon and for your generous contributions and unwavering support.
Fairway Villas Waikoloa by OUTRIGGER & Kanaloa at Kona by OUTRIGGER
BY KRISTOFER NICKELSEN – We held a “later than typical timed” Housekeepers Week where we were able to have most of our group together to celebrate the outstanding work by our hosts. Ono lunch held at Foster’s Kitchen Waikoloa in the Kings’ Shops. Lots of comradery and smiles, which is typical of our team! Left to right going clockwise: Kyle Nickelsen, Ava Hunter, Michelle Manantan, Jenny Wessels, Suzette Kaluna, Ariel Saladino, Melany Hunter and Kana Palakiko.
Kiahuna Plantation Resort Kaua’i by OUTRIGGER
BY DONNA KING – The Million Dollar Housekeeping team at Kiahuna Plantation Resort celebrated Housekeeping Week with lots of food and fun games like Halo Halo, Bibinka and Bingo! We invited our other departments to join us for a special lunch and gave our thanks for being able to move back into our newly renovated building. We played a rousing game of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and the winner won 10-100 Grand candy bars (1,000,000! : ) Each housekeeper received a goody bag – How to be a Million Dollar Housekeeper – be kind to each other (Kind Bar), keep your hands and your words soft (Working Hands Lotion), keep us laughing even through the tough times (Snickers Bar), always help others when we are in a crunch (Nestle Crunch), and stay magnificent and motivated (M&M’s). A good time was had by all of our Million Dollar Housekeepers!
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
BY CYNDE VANNATTA – Royal Sea Cliff had a wonderful 2024 Housekeeping Week. We kicked it off with breakfast for the housekeeping team on Sunday morning. The team enjoyed breakfast burritos, fruit and an iced coffee bar. Throughout the week we had an array of lunchtime treats, including their favorite halo-halo dessert. Thursday afternoon was our big event, a Royal Sea Cliff “Idol” Karaoke party! We rented a local karaoke room with a buffet of pupus and a chocolate cake for dessert. We had an AWESOME afternoon of singing, dancing, laughter and appreciation for our hardworking housekeeping team! There were gifts for everyone and prizes for the karaoke “Idol” winners. An amazing time was had by all!
The Kapalua Villas Maui
OHANA Waikiki East Hotel by OUTRIGGER
A Housekeeping Week Daily Journal
BY KATHERINE ALLEN – On day 1, OEH celebrated with a splendid homemade breakfast by our wonderful leaders! Breakfast took place in our awesome partner’s restaurant, Tanaka of Tokyo. Housekeeping hosts were delighted with pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage! Then, lunch time came around and housekeepers were competitive with our traditional game of BINGO! Bingo winners won a pair of aromatic goodies from Bath and Body Works (1st: Joyce Su; 2nd: Xi Li Liu; 3rd: Jane Huang)
Day 2: Tasty Tuesday – Housekeepers were surprised with hot and oishi ramen from Kamakura! They enjoyed the savory and soft pork belly marinated in the oishi broth.
Day 3: Wellness Wednesday – Housekeepers devoured into their DIY fruit bowls hand cut by Kiana, Denise and Keala. Fruits offered were avocadoes, dragon fruit, melon, cantaloupe, kiwis and papaya! Avocadoes were gone within minutes of display! Health is wealth!
Day 4: Thirsty Thursday – Keala, Kat and Kiana ventured up to the guest floors and personally delivered milk teas for each housekeeper to celebrate Thirsty Thursday! It was a hot and humid day so the milk tea paired perfectly while they worked hard!
Day 5: Finale Friday – Upon arrival, housekeepers were greeted in with a lei and showcased themselves walking down the blue carpet. Many activities and games were played that included Haka and Hula performances and games including Keep the Egg Safe! + Unwrap the Toilet Paper + Scoop the Cotton Balls and we had Raffle Prizes too!
OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort (OKB)
OKB Housekeepers “Hold on Together”
BY WENDY MUNETAKE – OKB Housekeepers celebrated National Housekeepers Week with fun and flair. Each day, the team dove into games getting their daily dose of laughter and smiles. Their spirited parade around the property was complete with float and costumes inspired by the song, “If We Hold on Together,” highlighted our Maui community’s strength in rebuilding Lahaina over the past year. The week wouldn’t have been complete without our amazing Housekeepers showing off their talents in song and dance. A big mahalo and cheers to our Housekeeping team for their incredible work in creating magical and heartwarming memories for our guests. And a special thanks to all the departments that helped make this week so special celebrating with snacks, breakfast, pastries, lumpia, ice cream, and a special prime rib lunch.
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa (OKR)
HK Week – Kona Style!
BY VICKY AKANA – It was a great week of celebration, teamwork, and recognition for our hardworking housekeeping team. Here’s a day-by-day recap of the festivities at OKR:
Day 1 – Halo-Halo Day- HR and Culinary teams collaborated to provide a delicious Halo-Halo treat, which was enjoyed by all. This kicked off the week with smiles and appreciation.
Day 2- Ice Cream Sundae Day- The Engineering team delighted everyone with a fun ice cream sundae bar, offering a variety of toppings and flavors to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth.
Day 3 – Poke Bowl Lunch – The Culinary team once again treated our housekeeping staff to a delicious and healthy Poke bowl lunch, showcasing their culinary skills and providing a well-deserved break for our hardworking team.
Day 4 – Snack Cart Service – The Sales team went above and beyond, offering a delightful snack cart service to keep everyone’s energy levels up and spirits high throughout the day.
Day 5 – Goodie Bag Giveaway – The Front Office Dept. surprised our housekeeping team with thoughtful goodie bags filled with treats. A perfect way to wrap up a week of recognition and celebration!
Days 1-5 – Daily Elixir- Our F&B Team went above and beyond to provide a rejuvenating experience for our hardworking housekeeping staff. Each day, they prepared a refreshing and healthy elixir using fresh mint harvested from OKR’s very own chef’s garden, and sweet, natural honey from our on-site apiary. This sustainable touch showcased our F&B team’s dedication to providing experiences while utilizing local ingredients. It was a great way to keep our housekeeping team energized and hydrated throughout the day, and it truly demonstrated the collaborative spirit of our staff at OKR.
In addition to these special events, our Housekeeping Leaders organized an engaging bed making competition and bathroom setting challenge that tested the skills and efficiency of our housekeeping staff. Participants were judged based on hotel standards, and the friendly competition added extra excitement to the week!
Congrats to the entire OKR ’Ohana for their outstanding efforts in recognizing and appreciating our Housekeeping Team throughout the week. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to making Housekeeping Week a success, and we look forward to fostering the same spirit of teamwork and camaraderie in the future.
Mahalo Nui to our Housekeeping Team, your dedication to providing exceptional service while maintaining a high level of hospitality at OKR is truly commendable.
OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort (MAM)
BY AYAASHA ISHAAQ – The importance of housekeepers in the hospitality sector cannot be overstated. They are the individuals responsible for ensuring that hotel rooms, restaurants, and other establishments are not only spotless but also comfortable and inviting. Housekeepers meticulously clean, tidy, and organize spaces, often working tirelessly behind the scenes to create a pleasant environment for guests. During Housekeeping Week, OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru took the opportunity to recognize and reward our housekeeping staff for their exceptional efforts. We had various activities conducted for the Housekeeping team, including bed making and blindfold shirt folding challenges, a team dinner outing, lagoon cleaning, bed decoration competition and a team building trip to Lonubo.
OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort (ORF)
BY MYRA KUBOYAMA – ORF’s Housekeeping Week activities included a fun-filled week of BINGO, exciting games, prizes, surprising snacks, a hearty breakfast and an amazing luncheon by chef Dean and team. Our Olympic based theme highlighted ORF’s Housekeeping hosts as CHAMPIONS as they care for our guests, care for our place and care for each other. Mahalo Housekeepers, for all that you do, each and every day to live The Outrigger Way. And Mahalo for our leaders for helping to make our celebrations special.
OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel (OBC)
OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort (OWK)
BY VICTORIA TAPICERIA – In honor of International Housekeeping Week, we recognized our hosts for their commitment to taking care of our place and bringing to life a “home away from home” experience for our guests. Mahalo to our leaders for celebrating with our housekeeping ohana. With the Olympics themed luncheon, fun filled games, delicious food, and gifts of appreciation… our hosts walked away feeling like champions!