Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk (ESH)
July Host of the Month (HOM): KA’IMI KALEI
Ka’imi has been an integral part of the team since joining us. She supports many hosts in all departments with a positive attitude. Whether assisting with flyers, supplies, arts & crafts, and much more — she is always there to help. She also played a critical role in ensuring we met all standards for our recent Hilton audit. Outstanding!
– Nominated by Roland Kam, Hotel Manager
August Host of the Month: CHAD TIMBRESA
Chad is known as the “Iron Man” or the F&B team. During the last month when multiple hosts were out for the department, Chad immediately stepped up to fill that void. Due to his kitchen background, he is able to take the lead during Ecosure and Hilton audits to ensure a successful outcome. And, most importantly, he works with kindness which shows in his relationship with the rest of his team and the feedback we receive from guests.
– Nominated by Justyn Wee, F&B Manager
September Host of the Month: WAI CHONG
Wai is a favorite among all hosts – he is always helping others with a special Aloha spirit. He is flexible to support his team regardless of the shift. And, since joining the team, he has been proactive with trying to make suggestions or share information to improve productivity or morale. Wai’s suggestion of using a blower in the Port Cochere during the graveyard shift was an immediate improvement on how he is constantly making a difference.
– Nominated by Carol Lopes, Executive Housekeeper
Q3 Leader of the Quarter: Samantha Jumawan
Sam made a huge impact to Housekeeping operations after her promotion to Housekeeping Supervisor. Her experience in Housekeeping has helped her communicate and lead significant changes with HotSOS, room credits, sofa bed premiums, and much more. You will find the many posters and printouts through the Housekeeping area to help make new procedures as easy as possible for the hosts. She also played a larger role this year with our Hilton audit and helping us get an Outstanding rating.
– Nominated by Roland Kam, Hotel Manager
ESH Hosts “Caught at their Best”
BY KA’IMI KALEI – Our Quarter 3 Host Luncheon took place on Wednesday, September 11 in the afternoon. The theme of this quarter’s luncheon was Sparkle and Shine, hosted by our Housekeeping Team. We had all the gameS lined up, as well as a fishing game to celebrate the ending of our challenge with Hilton, ‘Catch Me at My Best’. Catch Me at My Best was a competition between the Hilton branded hotels to see who received the most recognition from both guests as well as hosts. With OUTRIGGER’s culture and values engraved in everything we do, it was no surprise that ESH came in 1st place out of all the Embassy Suites in the world. We could not have been more proud of our team for truly caring for our guests and each other as it evidently showed. Along with the games, we had ono food served by our amazing corporate leaders, and lovely desserts made by our gracious Housekeepers. Last, but surely not least, we ended the luncheon with a competition of which team could make the best mummies. Our beautiful models who got mummified included Executive Housekeeper, Carol, Housekeeping Manager, Shantel, Hotel Manager, Roland, Food & Beverage Manager, Justyn, Corporate Safety and Security Risk Manager, Chris, and SVP of Operations, Mike! The energy was high filled with shouting and laughter as our hosts raced toilet paper around our leaders. With a close call of cheers, Carol’s team scored the loudest on our noise radar, winning her team Foodland gift cards. This luncheon was truly memorable and filled with appreciation from both management and hosts.
August Malama our Hosts – IL Gelato
For the month of August 2024, we reached out to our partners at Waikiki Beach Walk, IL Gelato, to help us malama our hosts at ESH with a sweet cold treat as we are ending the hot summer months. The managers walked around the property to visit all hosts and offer their choice of mango sorbet and ube cookies and cream gelato. The hosts were excited to see the managers walking with pozzettis filled with gelato and surely appreciated the frozen pick me up during their day. Mahalo to our Housekeeping Manager, Shantel Burns, for taking care of our hosts. And, on September 1, we celebrated National Hotel Employee Day to thank our hosts for their hard work and recognize the integral role they play in ESH’s hotel operations. Our management team came in on Sunday to pass out Haagen Dazs ice cream cups, and even climbed each floor of our two towers to personally thank each housekeeper. Mahalo to our superstar hosts for living the OUTRIGGER Way each and every day! Your dedication and passion does not go unnoticed.
OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort (FOR)
Hamish & Andy Star Spends Holidays at FOR
BY ASHNEEL CHAND – Australian comedian Andrew Thomas Lee, also known as Andy, is a musician, television host, children’s author and comedian. He is well-known for his collaborations with Hamish Blake in the comedic team, Hamish & Andy. Andy, his parents, siblings, and partner Rebecca Harding – a model, spent their holiday at FOR. Having a celebrity is beneficial for the resort’s marketing, since Andy has amassed over 415,000 Instagram followers. He mentioned they had a great time and loved our OUTRIGGER hospitality and service, not to mention the excellent cuisine and drinks. The family was touched by our team’s kindness as the hosts sang the well-known Isa Lei (farewell song) before leaving. Andy departed with his family and looks forward to returning to OUTRIGGER in the near future. Pictures (from left to right) are Jack Johnson (F&B Manager), Rebecca Harding, Andy Lee and Ashneel Chand (Director Human Resources).
BUMP, SET, WIN: FOR’s Volleyball FUNdraising Event a Big Hit
OUTRIGGER Fijis Inter-Hotel Committee organized a fundraising event on August 10 to aid the resort team prepare for the Inter-Hotel Competition, which takes place in November in Nadi. There were four categories in this inter-departmental competition – mixed volleyball, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, and mixed netball teams. The fundraising event was attended and participated in by all departments. The winners of each individual category received a trophy from Mrs. Salote Naisua with assorted prizes. Food & Beverage departments women’s volleyball team and Engineering Department men’s volleyball team were the winners on the day.
Vuvale Get Together for the Month of August
Congratulations to FOR August Hosts of the Month Aisea Neiti (Exceptional Service Award Front of House), Liku Naika (Manager of the Month), Meredani Sovagusu (Exceptional Service Award Back of House), Ateca Dravi (Front of House), Samit Lal (Back of House) and Ranjeet Singh (Supervisor of the Month).
OUTRIGGER Kāʻanapali Beach Resort (OKB)
August 2024 Host of the Month (HOM): AMADOR QUIMANGAN
Amador’s outstanding dedication and ability to multitask truly shine – particularly in managing back-of-the-house responsibilities and overseeing all department requests for banquet set-ups. His efficiency and steadfast commitment to excellence consistently result in exceptional service and high guest satisfaction. Amador’s positive attitude, warm smile, and strong sense of teamwork inspire those around him. His contributions greatly strengthen team dynamics and play a key role in the success of our F&B banquet events. We are deeply thankful to have him be a part of our F&B ‘Ohana!
~ nominated by Ronaldo Santos, F&B Operations Director
OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort (MAM)
MAM Hosts Honor their Past, Celebrate the Present & Look to the Future on National Day
BY AYAASHA ISHAAQ – The National Day of the Maldives is celebrated as a tribute of the day when local resistance drove out the Portuguese occupiers after they had seized and ruled the islands for a span of 15 years.
The Portuguese had arrived in 1558, killed the local sultan, and taken over. In 1573, however, Muhammad Thakurufaanu and his forces took back Male in a decisive victory that effectively eliminated the Portuguese presence.
The date of Maldives National Day is based on the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar. Therefore, the date will change by about 10 days each year. However, National Day falls on the first day of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, which in 2024 was September 4, depending on the moon sightings.
At OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort we hosted a special tea party to celebrate National Day. The well-curated Maldivian menu complemented the tea party and enhanced the overall experience. Hosting the event offered an opportunity to create memorable experiences and indulge in the refined pleasures of Maldivian culture.
As the Maldives continues to grow and develop, National Day remains a cornerstone of national pride and unity. It is a day for Maldivians to honor their past, celebrate their present, and look forward to a future built on the values of independence and collective identity.
Highlights from the 2024 Inter-Department Football Tournament 2024
In a spectacular display of teamwork and athletic prowess, the annual Inter-Department Football Tournament recently concluded with resounding success. This year’s tournament was a celebration of not just football but also unity and camaraderie among the various departments, providing a vibrant platform for hosts to connect and engage outside of their usual work settings. Kicking off with a grand opening ceremony, the tournament drew attention from hosts across the resort. The event, held at the resorts multi-purpose ground, featured an array of teams representing different departments, each eager to showcase their skills and teamwork on the field.
The tournament format is league matches to ensure that every team had the chance to demonstrate their capabilities. A total of 5 teams took part in the tournament each team consisting of 12 members. Enthusiastic crowds of colleagues and supporters filled the stands, creating an electrifying atmosphere that only added to the excitement of the matches.
One of the standout matches was the semi-final clash between the Engineering and Front Office departments. The game was a nail-biter, with front office winning with 5 – 2 score. Another memorable moment came from the final, where the Transport department faced off against the Front office team. Both sides displayed impressive skill and teamwork, but it was Transport who emerged victorious with a decisive 4-1 win. Ali Ismail was the top scorer, and other top performers included Adam Ishan, Hussain Jinah & Mohamed Yaish.
The tournament was about more than just football; it served as a valuable team-building exercise. It allowed hosts to interact with colleagues from different departments in a relaxed and informal setting, fostering relationships that will undoubtedly benefit workplace collaboration and morale. The tournament provided additional opportunities for hosts to mingle and enjoy themselves, contributing to a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
As the final whistle blew and the trophy was awarded, there was a palpable sense of accomplishment and camaraderie among all participants. The tournament was not just a showcase of athletic talent but also a celebration of the resorts commitment to building a cohesive and supportive work environment.
Honors for MAM’s Finest
August Host of the Month (HOM), Front of the House: YOOSUF NASRULLA
Mr. Yoosuf Nasrulla has been performing outstanding in the past couple of months. He has exceptionally good comments from our guests and from his colleagues too. We are very much impressed by the improvements that he brought to himself and the villas he looks after. Whenever we organize something in the department, he takes the lead and ensures that it happens right. He is a shining star in the department and the one thing that I like most is, he does not want to have any pending work to do later.
– Nominated by Mohamed Riyaz, Executive Housekeeper
August Host of the Month (HOM), Heart of the House: AYAASHA ISHAAQ
I am honored to recognize Ayaasha for HOM in recognition of her outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication to our resort. Ayaasha consistently goes above and beyond her role, demonstrating an exceptional level of professionalism, compassion and efficiency. Her ability to handle sensitive matters with discretion and care, while ensuring that all HR processes run smoothly, is truly impressive.
– Nominated by Mohamed Husham, HR Manager
August Host of the Month (HOM), Service Provider: MD AMINUL ISLAM
Aminul is the most reliable attendant in the HR Department. His proactiveness and willingness to go above and beyond to finish tasks in the given time frame is truly inspiring. Aminul have many great qualities such as being punctual, consistency in performance and reliability in fulfilling job responsibilities. He delivers high-quality work and reliably meets his responsibilities and contributes to the stability of the department.
– Nominated by Mohamed Husham, HR Manager
OUTRIGGER Mauritius Beach Resort (MOR)
Surprise Breakfast for Hosts a Treat for All
BY KHARESHMA SONOO RAJJOO – On September 4, the Managers and Assistant Managers at MOR arranged a surprise breakfast for the hosts. Everything was well planned earlier; to provide a Mauritian breakfast with the popular drink Alouda, a refreshing and milky drink. The Managers came early in the morning to set-up tables, cook and serve our hosts as soon as they entered the hotel premises. Our hosts were very happy with this gesture.
OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort (ORF)
August Host of the Month (HOM): Alana Lum
Alana has been a great team player on our bar staff for the last couple of months. She is always willing to work a double shift (KKPG + Voyager) when needed, and she always does so with a smile on her face. Alana consistently gets great reviews from our Voyager guests; she is always both speedy and friendly when working that bar.
We’ve recently been working on updating our cocktail menu for KKPG, and Alana has jumped into that project full steam ahead! She was the first bartender to turn in her homework packet regarding changes that the bar staff would like to see for the new menu. She has also offered a plethora of great ideas for new drinks or updates to current drinks on the menu. She was also the first person on the bar staff to take interest in attending a recent vendor trade show, and she spent the whole time we were there taking notes and trying to work on new ideas what we could bring to our updated menu.
Alan shows true passion for both her craft as a bartender and her commitment to her coworkers here at KKPG. She is always willing to shift her schedule around to help out her coworkers, and she always goes above and beyond to take care of the guests at her bar. Often times guests will come in for dinner and request to sit at the bar because she is working. Her friendly and positive attitude is infectious in the best way.
– Nominated by Jamie Robinson
O Ke Kai Series Brings A‘o Cultural Center to Life
BY LUANA MAITLAND – The O Ke Kai Series with Friends of Hokulea and Hawai’i Loa continued on Saturday, Sept. 14 at the A‘o Cultural Center with hands-on workshops on canoe building and restoration with the craftsmen and crew. It included canoe-lashing demonstration and navigating compass, fun activities for kids and Hawaiian music by Kawika Kahiapo.
OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels, Thailand
Khao Lak Beach Resort (TKL) Hosts Occupational Safety Training
BY SUKANYA SOMPHAN – TKL hosted Occupational Safety Training courses from August 19-24, facilitated by the Employers Confederation of Thailand. More than 135 participants from Phang Nga Province joined the class alongside hosts from both TKL and OUTRIGGER Surin Beach Resort. This training aims to increase the skills and knowledge of employees in the hospitality industry, by raising safety awareness and reducing accidents in the workplace.
Partnership with Phuket Rajabhat University
OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels, Thailand, are honored to play a part in the development of students at Phuket Rajabhat University by offering student work experience opportunities in Thailand properties throughout the year. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was recently signed with the University to cement this partnership.
OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel (OBC)
August Host of the Month (HOM): BRANIELLE YOUNG-VELARDE
Branielle has been with OUTRIGGER for about two years as a night auditor. She always takes initiative, and goes above and beyond. We have given Branielle training on room blocking, group room assignments, and trained her as relief manager on duty. Branielle prefers to be a night auditor, and this gives her an opportunity to take on tasks. She also trains other hosts to work the night audit shift. Branielle exemplifies The OUTRIGGER Way. One incident that stood out this month occurred when a guest unfortunately got hurt on the escalator. Branielle was very responsive and made sure to follow the proper protocol. Most importantly she made sure the guest was well taken care of. The guest was very grateful for the hospitality they received. Other hosts always have something positive to say about Branielle and enjoy working with her. She has a positive attitude and guests praise her for her customer service. We are so proud of your growth Branielle and know you will achieve great things in life. You are such a great asset to OUTRIGGER, and our Beachcomber ‘ohana!
– Nominated by Angelica Arao, Area Director of Front Services
OBC Recognizes August’s Best
BY JENNIFER YAMADA – Congratulations to August HOM nominees KunYing Huang (Housekeeping), Gerry Daez (Engineering) and Paul Segawa (Bell Desk) and to iCARE recipients Aira Ono (Front Desk), Ariel Guittu (Engineering), Mildred Dolormente (Housekeeping) and Alicia Zhu (Housekeeping). Krisina Arola was our August TripAdvisor Most Name Mention leader and Yoshi Takamura our NOR1 Upgrade leader. Vicky Manalo won the TripAdvisor Name Mention Raffle and Dominic Gonzales and Rey Gamboa captured the Safety and Security Raffle.
