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Quick Action Needed to Replace Lost

Business From JapanBy Dr. Richard R. Kelley

EarlierthisweekIsentthefollowinglettertoHawai‘i’sCongressionalDelegationandHawai‘iGovernorNeilAbercrombie.Init,IcalledforurgentactiononissuesneededtocompensateforthelossofJapanesevisitors–whichhasalreadybegun–intheaftermathoftherecentdevastatingearthquakeandtsunami,aswellastheongoingradiationdangersfromthecripplednuclearpowerplantsatFukushima.

To: SenatorDanielInouye SenatorDanielAkaka RepresentativeMazieHirono RepresentativeColleenHanabusa GovernorNeilAbercrombie

Overthepasttwoweeks,wehavewitnessedindescribabledestructioninJapanasaresultoftheMarch11magnitude9earthquakeandtheterribletsunamithatfollowed.Badasitis,thesituationcouldeasilygetworseiftheJapaneseauthoritiesdon’tsoonbringthedamagednuclearpowerplantsatFukushimaundercontrol. NobodyknowshowlongitwilltaketorestoreJapan’sbasicurbanservices,repairthephysicaldamage,andhaltthespreadofradioactivecontaminants.Itmaybemanymonthsoryearsand,duringthattime,thereisnoquestionthatoutboundtravelfromJapan,theworld’sthirdlargesteconomy,willfallsignificantly.Asiftoconfirmmyprediction,DeltaAirlinesjustannounceditwillreduceflightstoandfromJapanbyupto20percentthroughMay.Therearemanymoresuchannouncementsinourfuture. Thedamagetointernationaltravelisbeingcompoundedbythegrowingcostofflying

Continued on page 8

News Release Headline: “State presents Hawai’i Green Business hotel awards

to recognize environmental achievements”

Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk® Recognized for Green Effort

By Robert Ishihara

March17,2011,wasdefinitelyagreendayfortheWyndhamatWaikikiBeachWalk®!St.Patrick’sDayisallaboutgreenandcelebrations,andtheteamattheWyndhamatWaikikiBeachWalk®celebratedinitsowngreenwaywithaspecialrecognitionceremonybyGovernorNeilAbercrombieforthe2011GreenBusinessProgram.Thecelebrationwasoneday,butthecommitmentbeganoverayearagoandwillcontinueintothefuturewithnewprogramsandproductsbeingimplementedattheresort.Teammembersmayhavechangedduring

theprocess,butthegoaltoreduceourenvironmentalfootprintbyreducingtheamountofresourcesweuseisimbeddedineveryone’sefforts.TheteamhasalsoachievedcorporaterecognitionfortheireffortswithaGoldCertificateinWyndham’snationalprogramtoa“green”legacyinsustainability. Theresorthasreplacedandretrofittedallfixtureswithincandescentbulbstocompactandimplementedenergysavingoccupancysensorsinofficesandpublicrestrooms.From2008-2010,theresorthasreducedkWhconsumptionby5.4%,andreducedgasusageby6.5%.Allguestroomsnowfeaturelow-flowshowerheads,low-flowtoilets,andsinkaeratorstodecreasewaterconsumption.Guestamenitiesandcleaningsuppliesweremigratedtoearth-friendlyproducts.Allreusablehotelitemssuchasfurniture,dishes,smallappliances,andcarpetinghavebeendonatedtolocalcharitiesandschools. TheWyndhamatWaikikiBeachWalk®teamwasinvitedtotheGovernor’sChambersandrecognizedalongwithsixotherresortsthroughouttheislands,includingtheHyattRegencyWaikiki,JW

March 26, 2011 A MESSAGE FROM RICHARD R. KELLEY TO OUR OUTRIGGER ‘OHANA

Continued on page 3

Saturday BriefingPage �

Saturday Briefing is publishedby and for employees of

Outrigger Enterprises Group (OEG)

Editor-In-Chief: Richard Kelley Supervising Editor: Pila Hanson Senior Editor: Kathy Foley Proofing Assistant: Char Luning Contributing Writers: Employees of OEG

Visit us online at:

www.saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com

Submissions to Kathy Foley

at kathysb@outrigger.com,

via interoffice mail to OEH/HR,

or by phone at (808) 921-6957.

©2011OutriggerHotelsHawaiiAnEqualOpportunityEmployer

Happy Birthday!Apr6:MildredC.Vicerra,JongWookKim,andKerryH.Iha.

Apr7:KeiichiYotsuya,CielitoV.G.Gallardo,KevinS.Mitchell,IssaraP.Jones,JanetM.Yadao,IvySauPingKwok,CharlieCubangbang,SusannaGuan,andLeonidaC.Briones.

Apr8:CraigL.Duncan,AlejandraG.Gonzalez,SamanthaAzarow,MaritesB.Tagala,andMeiG.Lee.

Apr9:AnaMarieI.Castel,RostinT.Honda,AiJinLi,JocelynI.Mallen,JeffersonM.Morales,andW.DavidP.CareyIII.

Apr10:LuzMariano-Redoble,AndyA.Ishimine,DimanaUzunova,andSharonLee.

Apr11:WilfredF.Marcos,ShaoFeiWeng,JosephT.England,Shay-LynnY.Lam,NoelT.Velasco,RaymondY.OyamaJr.,MichelleL.Chang,HaiShanPeng,andEricJamesMasutomi.

Apr12:StephanieNakamatsu,NancyG.Daniels,AitogiI.Totemese,WayneW.Staunton,andLindaJaneKelley.

Employment Opportunities Ifyouareinterestedinthepositionslistedbelowandmeetthequalifications,youmayapplyonline.PleasegotoWWW.OUTRIGGER.COM,clickonABOUTOUTRIGGER,thenEMPLOYMENT.Weonlyacceptonlineapplicationsfortheopen-listedpositionsfrominternalcandidates.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecallChadTeramaeat(808)921-6989.ApplicationdeadlineforthefollowingpositionsisApril1,2011.

Housekeeper I (Full Time & On Call)Mustbeabletoworkwellwithothers,followinstructions,andcommunicateinEnglish.Mustbeabletoworkflexibledaysandshifts.Experienceincleaningandservicingguestroomsand/orpublicareaspreferred.

Housekeeper II (Full Time)Previousexperienceintheuseofheavycleaningmachineryandcleaningofpublicareashighlypreferred.Mustbeabletoliftatleast50lbs,speakandwriteEnglish,andhavebasicmathematicalskills.Mustalsobeflexibletoworkanydayandshift.

Bell Clerk (On Call)Aminimumofoneyearcustomerserviceexperiencerequired.Excellentverbal/writtencommunicationandcomputerskillsrequired.Mustbeabletolift/movebaggageweighing75lbsormoreand/ormovebaggagecartsweighing1000lbs.Mustalsobeabletoworkanydayandshift.

Cocktail Waithelp (Part Time)Responsiblefortheserviceofbeveragesand/orfoodinatimelymanner,resultinginguestsatisfaction.Musthaveafriendly,positive,andservice-orientedattitudeandbeabletoworkflexibledaysandshifts.

Cook (On-Call)Responsibleformaintainingandsettingupfoodproductionofallitemspreparedbythekitchen.Aminimumofthreeyearsexperienceworkinginahighvolumehotel/restaurantenvironmentpreferred.Mustbeabletoworkanydayandshift.

Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation ResortHouse Person (Full-Time)

MustbeabletocommunicateinEnglish.Basicmathematicalskillsrequired.Mustalsobeabletoworkwithheavycleaningequipment,operateagolfcart,andbeflexibletoworkanydayandshift.Experienceincleaningpublicareaspreferred.

Outrigger Palms at WaileaHousekeeper (On Call)

Mustbeabletoworkwellwithothers,followinstructions,andcommunicateinEnglish.Theabilitytoworkflexibledaysandshiftsisrequired.Experienceincleaningandservicingguestroomsand/orpublicareaspreferred.

We probably all know the term ‘āina by its familiar definition – land. ‘Āina literally means ‘that which feeds’. ‘Ai in the Hawaiian language means to eat. Many of us are also quite familiar with the Hawaiian saying, mālama ka ‘āina, which means ‘care for the land’. Hawaiians, as do other indigenous cultures, enjoy a unique reciprocal relationship with their place, their land, and believe that the land is a living force that sustains our existence. By caring for the places where we live, work, and play, our place will continue to provide for our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

‘aina - land, earth

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Prince Jonah Kūhīo Kalaniana‘oleBy Kaipo Ho

OnMarch26ofeachyear,Hawai‘icelebratesthebirthdayofPrinceJonahKūhīoKalaniana‘ole.PrinceKūhīowasborninKōloaontheislandofKaua‘iin1871toHighChiefDavidKahalepouliPi‘ikoiandPrincessVictoriaKinoikiKekaulike,thesisterofQueenKapi‘olani.Likemanyotheryouthofroyaldecent,JonahKūhīoattendedtheChief ’sChildrenSchool,orRoyalSchool,onO‘ahu.Aftercompletinghisbasiceducation,JonahKūhīostudiedabroadinCaliforniaandlatergraduatedfromabusinessschoolinEngland. Afterthedeathofhisparents,JonahKūhīoandhistwobrothersbecamelegalwardsofhisaunt,QueenKapi‘olani.BecomingamemberoftheroyalhouseholdearnedhimthetitleofPrinceKūhīo.QueenKapi‘olani’shusband,KingKalākaualaterappointedPrinceKūhīototheRoyalCabinetadministeringtheDepartmentoftheInteriorandCustomsService.In1893,theHawaiianmonarchywasoverthrown,andin1895,PrinceKūhīoandseveralotherswerearrestedforparticipatinginarebelliontorestoreQueenLili‘uokalanibacktoherthrone. In1898,theHawaiianIslandswereannexedbytheUnitedStates.Afterhisexile,PrinceKūhīobecameactiveintheHomeRulePartyofHawai‘iestablishedin1900torepresentnativeHawaiiansandtheircontinuedfightforHawaiianindependence.In1901,PrinceKūhīolefttheHomeRulePartyandjoinedtheRepublicans.Byendorsing

PrinceKūhīo,theRepublicanPartygainedsubstantialsupportfromlocalcommunities.WithhisstrongleadershippositionintheParty,PrinceKūhīowaslaterelectedasdelegatetotheU.S.Congress,servingtenconsecutiveterms. ProbablyPrinceKūhīo’smostnotedaccomplishmentwashisspearheadingthepassageoftheHawaiianHomesCommissionActin1921,whichappropriatedmorethan200,000acres,andprovidedforthereturnofNativeHawaiianstothelandtomaintaintraditionaltieswiththeirland.PrinceKūhīoalsoreorganizedtheRoyalOrderofKamehamehaIin1903andfoundedthefirstHawaiianCivicClubin1918. PrinceKūhīolivedinastatelyhomeinWaikīkī,calledPualeilanior“FlowerFromtheWreathofHeaven”,locatedatthecornerofLili‘uokalaniandKalākauaAvenues.AstatuealongKūhīoBeachhonorsthePrince,popularlyrememberedasPrinceCupidorKeAli‘iMaka‘āinana(theChiefoftheCommoners).

Sharon Pudiquet, Mark Pollard (VP Wyndham Sales – O‘ahu), Glenn Nagasako, Tereza Gapuzan, Robert Ishihara, Bob Berges, Carl Kruse,

and Tom Zylstra ~ in the Governor’s Ceremonial Chamber

Connie Caraang, Elena Ballan, Conrada Corpuz, and Narita Fangon celebrating Green Day !

Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk® Recognized for Green Effort

Continued from page 1

MarriottIhilani,KahalaResort,KilaueaLakesideEstate,Ritz-CarltonKapalua,andTurtleBayResort.Therecognitionbroughtagreatfeelingtoeveryoneattheresort.Eachandeveryoneoftheteamknowsthiscommitmentisachangeinbusinesspracticesintothefuture,andeachgladlywelcomethechallenge.

You,too,canparticipateinsustainabilitywithEarthHour2011thisSaturday,March26,2011.Turnoffyourlightsandanyothernon-essentialelectricalitemsforonehourstartingat8:30p.m.TheWyndhamwayis—earthdayiseveryday!

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Top Australian Media Hosted at Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji

By Una Murray

Geoff Shaw, Jane Scott, Matthew Leaver, Dave Cauldwell, Donna Parkin, Lucy Chesterton, Sue Wallace, Angela Tuftvesson, Peter Hopgood, and Judy Evans

Peter.“OutriggeroffersauniqueandauthenticFijianexperience,whichislargelyattributedtotheincredibleteamofstaffthatworkattheproperty,anditisimportantforustocommunicatethehighlevelofhospitalityandfive-starexperiencedirectlytothemedia,”Petercontinued. Ahighlightoftheweekendwasafine-diningexperienceinIviRestauranthostedbyresortfounderGeoffShawandPeter. NextmonthOutriggerwillparticipateinamediafamilvisitfromtheAmericanSocietyofTravelWritersFreelanceCouncil.

OutriggerontheLagoon-FijihostedagroupofAustraliantraveljournalistsfromBrisbane,Sydney,andMelbourneovertheweekendtoshowcasetheresortandthebeautifulattributesoftheCoralCoast. RepresentingBrisbane News Magazine, Woman’s Day Magazine, Sunday Age, Women’s Health & Fitness Magazine, The Border Mail,andAustralian Doctor Magazine,themediavisitwillgeneratesignificantexposureforthepropertyandFijiintheAustralianmarket. TheitineraryincludedaSigatokaRiverSafari,VunareuoaVillageexperience,andSigatokaSandDuneshikewithresortActivitiesManagerKiniSarai.OtherhighlightsincludedatouroftheTianChineseFarm,withExecutiveChefShaileshNaidu,tohighlightthediverseregionalproduceusedatalloftheresort’srestaurants,andtreatmentsattheawardwinningBebeSpaSanctuary. ResortGeneralManagerPeterHopgoodsaidthattheresort’smediafamiliarizationprogramisimportantinmaintainingtheprofileoftheresortandCoralCoastintheAustralianmedia.“WhileTourismFijiisverypro-activeinpromotingFijiasadestination,wefeelitisalsoimportanttomaintainahighprofileforOutriggerontheLagoon,”said

Orientation Program for New Hosts at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort & Villas

By Khun Paew (Patcharee Chanantho)

TheOutriggerLagunaPhuketResort&Villasmanagementteamwarmlywelcomedournewhostmembersandstudenttrainees.TrainingManagerKhunJimprovidedgreatinsightintoOutriggerandtheexcitingyearsahead.Aftermeetingthemanagement,theteamtouredtheresorttocompletetheirorientation.

Ut (Cook Helper), Tay (Bell Captain), Jim (Training Manager), Band (Yim Siam Host,

Front Office trainer), Lek (Engineer), Ni (F&B Supervisor), Nut (Houseman), Duan (Room

Attendant), Poy (Housekeeping student trainee), Toy (Linen Attendant) Front blue shirt, Maew

(Front Office student trainee), and Sai (Operator)

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Political FundraisersMonday,March28

5p.m.-7p.m.TheMandalayRestaurant(1055AlakeaStreet)

SenatorDonovanDelaCruzDistrict22•MililaniMauka,Wahiawā,Hale‘iwa,

Mōkūlēi‘a,andNorthShore

SenatorMalamaSolomonDistrict1•Waimea,Hāmākua,NorthHilo,

RuralSouthHilo,andHilo

Monday,March285:30p.m.-7p.m.

RoyalPalace,StadiumMall(nexttoIcePalace)

RepresentativeMarilynLeeDistrict38•MililaniandMililaniMauka

Tuesday,March295:30p.m.-7:30p.m.

EATCafe(GentryPacificDesignCenter)

RepresentativeHenryAquinoDistrict35•PearlCityandWaipahu

RepresentativeTyCullenDistrict41•Waipahu,VillagePark,Waikele,andKunia

RepresentativeDavidManahanDistrict29•SandIsland,Mokauea,

KalihiKai,andKapalama

RepresentativeRyanYamaneDistrict37•WaipioGentryandMililani

Wednesday,March305:30p.m.-7:30p.m.

YlangYlangCourtyard(St.Andrew’sPriory)

RepresentativeGilKeith-AgaranDistrict9•Kahului,Wailuku,Pu‘unēnē,

Pāi‘a,andSpreckelsville

Wednesday,March305:30p.m.-7:30p.m.

GentryPacificDesignCenter(560N.NimitzHwy.)

RepresentativeRidaCabanillaDistrict42•LowerWaipahu,Ewa,andWestLochEstates

Ifyouareinterestedinticketstoanyofthesefundraisers,pleasecall921-6957.

By The HR Service Center

YoumayhavenoticedthisnewmastheadinrecentissuesofSaturday Briefing. WhatisLivingWell,youask?LivingWellisaninitiativebyOutriggerEnterprisesGrouptohelpouremployeeslivehealthylivesthroughprogramsthataffectourmind,body,andspirit.Theinitiativewillcontinuetodevelopandgrow,sohealthandwellnessannouncementsandcalendarupdateswillbeongoing. Theinitiativereallyisn’t“new.”YourhealthhasalwaysbeenanOutriggerpriority.Infact,we’vehadmanyprogramsinplaceforyears:

EmployeeMedicalBenefits•BloodDrives•AnnualHealthFairMammograms•ProstateScreening•GreatAmericanSmokeout

CharityWalk•TroyBarbozaTorchRun•CoreClass

Relativelynewinitiativesare:

WellnessWednesdays•Health-relatedLunch&Learns•Heart&SoleWalks•HMSAHealthPassHealthRiskAssessment•MoretoCome!

We’vepulledallofthesegreathealthandwellnessbenefitstogetherintotheLivingWellprogramtoemphasizetoyouhowimportantyouaretous.

OnourHealthandWellnessCalendarforAprilare:

APRIL ACTIVITY LOCATION • TIME

Tuesdays & Thursdays Core Class OEH, location tba via email 12:15 p.m.

Wednesday, April 6 HealthPass OEH, Learning Center8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday, April 7 HealthPass OEH, Learning Center8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, April 20 Lunch & Learn: “Goodbye Diet, Hello Health!”

OEH, Learning Center12 noon

Wednesday, April 20 Heart & Sole Walk OEH Bell Desk5:15 p.m.

TakeadvantageofthemanyopportunitiesOutriggerprovidestohelpkeepusLivingWell.Doit,becausewecareaboutyou!

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecalltheHumanResourceServiceCenterat921-6965.

Saturday BriefingPage �

Lives that Touched UsBy Leigh Bulseco and Kathy Kaai

Sherry Le‘iato (center) with brother Sam and daughter Sherrica2007 Flavors of the Reef

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach“WestayedthereinJanuaryandwereimpressedwiththeaccomodationsandservice.Iwatchedyourpostslastweekinthetsunamiwarningsandwasevenmoreimpressedwithyourconcernandservice.Wewillbeback!!!”KarenDorshaSwensonviaOWKFacebooklink

OurheartsaresaddenedbythepassingofourcoworkerandfriendSherryLe‘iato. SherryjoinedtheOutriggerPrinceKuhioFrontDeskin1986.Aftersevenyears,sheleftthecompany,rejoiningusin2000attheOutriggerReef.In2009,shetransferredto“Engine”eringandwastheoilthatkeptthedepartmentrunningsmoothly.“Shebroughtourtightdepartmentevenclosertogether,”saysMandyCruz.“She’ssospecial.”OutriggerReef ’sannualFlavorsoftheReefwon’tbethesamewithoutSherry.Weweresofortunatethatshesharedherculturewithusandourguests.Sheoftenbroughtherfamilytohelpwithfoodorcostumepreparation.SherrywasalsoavaluableOutriggerReefAlaka‘iteammember. Theword“Support”epitomizesSherry—toherfamily,church,andtotheOutriggerReef.Shewillberememberedbyallasagiving,generous,gentle,andlovingperson. HerlegacyremainsinherbeautifuldaughterSherrica,hersistersTinaandRachel,andherbrothersSam,Andrew,andEddie. Sherry’slastentryonFacebook,March16,said,“It’sagooddayformiracles!Todayismyday–Thankyouinadvanceforsendingmeloveandblessings...Godisamazinglygood!”Ismile...knowingsheishome.

OurdeepestsympathytothefamilyandfriendsofMannyOro.MannypassedawayonMarch4andwasapartoftheMaunaLoaVillage‘ohanasinceSeptember29,2001. Ahardworkerandafriendtoeveryone,MannywasalwaysreadyandwillingtodowhateverittooktokeeptheHousekeepingdepartmentrunningsmoothlyandefficiently. Aloverofwater,Mannyenjoyedfishingandthebeach. Heleavesbehindbrothers,sisters,children,andmanyfriends.Wemisshimdearlyandthinkofhimoften.

Manny Oro (far right) with his friends and coworkers, Romeo Valdez, Sauiluma Fonoti, and Sitoi La’u

Outrigger Twin Towns Resort“IfeltImustwrite&conveymythanksregardingoneofyoustaffmembersontheReservationDesk.WhereasitisalwaysapleasuretodealwithalltheReservationsTeamatOutriggerHotel,ImustsingleoutHeidyBarberawhohasbeenextremelyhelpfultome,showinggreatpatienceinassistingwithmyenquiriestoreconcilecreditcardcharges.WithgreatstafflikeHeidy,it’snowonderOutriggeratTwinTownsisthefavouredvenueforourmanagersandguestsatalltimes.”JeanLumbTweedHeads,Australia

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Wahi (Place)...weprotect,careforandliveinharmonywiththeland,ourworkplace,itspeoplesandcultures.

Wahi—Drives Our Approach to Doing BusinessBy David Carey

This is the sixth in a series of eight articles written by Outrigger’s executives to introduce and share their personal perspective on our Value of the Week. This week’s author is David Carey, President & CEO, and our Value of the Week is Wahi (Place). – Kaipo Ho

David Carey

Everyoneofushasafavoriteplace.Maybeit’saroominourhome,aspecialbeachatsunset,acitytuckedawayintherollinghillsinanothercountry,orevenafavoriteloungechair.Takeamomentandthinkofthatspecialplaceforyou.Whatmakesaplaceafavorite?It’sthewayyoufeelwhenyouarethere—thesounds,fragrances,thememoriesallaligningtomakeyouexperiencepeace,happiness,relaxation,andperspective.Achievingthosefeelingscanbe

donewithoutevengoingtothatplace;simplyclearingyourmindandfocusingonapictureofthatplaceisoftenenoughtoprovideyouwiththesamebenefits.Othertimes,wearepurposefulandphysicallygotothat“place,”sothatwemaysavorthebenefitsofbeinginourpersonal,uniquehaven. Placesarealsodefinedinmanyrespectsbytheirhistory.Whathashappenedbefore?Howdidthelandorbuildingsgettobethere?Whowerethepeoplethatinfluencedtheevolutionofaplace? EachplacealsohasaspiritualcomponentorroughlywhattheHawaiian’scalledMana.Sometimesitispowerful,suchasatMaunaAla,thefinalrestingplaceofHawai‘i’sAli‘i(Royalty),andsometimesitisnotobvious(inthemiddleofastreet). Allofthesefactorscombineintowhatweoftencalla“senseofplace”.ThesenotionsofPlaceareembodiedinthevalueof“Wahi”.Wahi,orPlace,focusesonhowplaceshavemeaning,oftenpersonal,andourresponsibilitytohonor,steward,andrespecttheuniquestories,backgrounds,andvaluesofeachplace. AtOutrigger,Wahidrivesourapproachtodoingbusinessineachlocationwhereweconductbusiness.AlthoughourhomerootsandcenterofoperationsareinHawai‘i,wealsomanagepropertiesthroughoutthePacificinAustralia,Bali,Fiji,Guam,Thailand,soontobeVietnamandChina,andhopefullymore.Ineachandeverylocationwedobusiness,includinginouroffices,wehaveendeavoredtounderstandthesenseofplaceoftheselocations.Thehistory,thepeople,andtheculturesareallpartoftheWahi.Ithelpscreateaspecialemotionalconnectionforthosethatworkthere,whichinturn,isfeltbyourguests. InHawai‘i,oureffortsaretocreateguestexperiencesreflectingtheHawaiianculture;wheninBali,wewantourgueststofeelthebeautyoftheBalineseculture;andthesameforourbusinessinothergeographies.Ourcompany’sphilosophyandvaluesaretocelebratetheland,values,andpeopleofalloftheplaceswhereweconductbusiness.

ProtectandCareforourPlace ThevalueofWahialsomeansbeinggoodstewardsofourplaces.OutriggerHousekeeperstakegreatprideinensuringacleanandwelcomingroomeachdayforguests.Themany“gogreen”initiativesthroughouttheCompanyfocusonenergysavingsandrecyclingpracticesthatproactivelypromotesustainabilityofourlandformanygenerationsinthefuture.OurfinancialinvestmentincommunitiesthroughourcorporategivingprogramisanotherwaythatOutriggerchoosestocareforourplacesanditspeoples.EmployeeswhogiveoftheirtimeandpersonalfinancialcontributionstoparticipateintheVisitorIndustryCharityWalk,theAlohaUnitedWayCampaign,andothercommunityactivitiesdemonstratethepersonalbeliefamongtheindividualemployeesoftheOutrigger‘ohanainthevalueof“Wahi.”

LiveinHarmony Paddle2ofour6-paddleprocessis,“Celebratingwherewecomefrom.”PastinitiativesledbyourdedicatedAlaka‘ithroughoutthecompanyhaveincludedmapsindicatingwhereeachemployeehasfamilymembers,andthesemapsareproudlydisplayedwhereouremployeesgather;OutriggerAustralia’sannualmulti-culturalweekcelebration;KiahunaPlantationcelebratingPlantationDays,whichincludesplayinggamesofHawai‘iinyearspast;employeeluncheonsfeaturingfavoredcuisinefromvariouscultures;toOutrigger’sinvolvementintheHawai‘iBookandMusicFestival.TheseandmanymoreinitiativesexemplifythededicationtolivinginharmonywithandrespectofthevariedandtreasuredcultureswhereOutriggerconductsbusiness. Additionally,ourProjectsdepartmentismeticulousaboutselectingfurnishings,décor,color,andtheliketoshowcasetheartistryandfeelofthelocalculture.AroominPhuketwillhavealookandfeelofThailand,whilearoomonMauiwillincorporatethebeautyofHawai‘i.Thegoalistocreatememorableexperiencesforgueststhatareuniqueandauthentictothevalues,history,andpracticesofthespecificplace. Doespracticing“Wahi”makebusinesssense?Bylookingataspecialwallcalled“Hoapili”(whichtranslatesto,“togatherasfriends”)inthelobbyoftheOutriggerWaikiki,whichfeaturesphotographsofguestswhohavereturnedfor10yearsormore,Isayanoverwhelmingyes!Outrigger’scollectivebeliefin“Wahi”—frompoliciesandpractices,totheconsistentattitudesandactionsofourdedicatedemployees—certainlytransformthevalueof“Wahi”bothtotangibleactionsthattheCompanywillinglyundertakesandtotheintangibleyetrealandauthenticfeelingofwellbeingfeltbyguestsandemployeesalikethatOutriggeris,indeed,aspecialPlace.

Saturday BriefingPage �

travelersmustoftenmakeovernighttripstoothercities,hundredsofmilesaway,justtoapplyforavisaataU.S.consulate.Oncetheygetthere,theinterviewprocessisdegrading,thevisarefusal

ratehigh,andthetotalaverageprocessingtimeanunconscionablemonthandahalforlonger. EnclosedisanarticlefromtheMarch5,2011,editionofmycompany’snewsletter,Saturday Briefing,whichsummarizestheTravelFacilitation

Subcommitteereport. ItshouldnottakelongtomakeappropriatechangesinthestaffingofU.S.visaprocessinglocationsinChina,ifwereallyfocusonhowimportantTravel&Tourismfromthatcountryistooureconomy,andparticularlytheeconomyofHawai‘i. IurgeyoutodoeverythingyoucantomakereformingtheU.S.visaprocessingsystem,particularlyforChina,anationalpriority.

Inaddition,anothercriticalinternationaltravelissuehasjustarisen. TheDepartmentofHomelandSecuritywantstoinstituteanew“bordercrossingfee”of$5.50perpersonfortravelersfromtheCaribbean,Mexico,andCanada. Thissendsaverycounterproductive“welcome”messagetopotentialtravelers.Theimpactthiswillhave,ifitisinstituted,maybedifficulttomeasureprecisely,butIcanguaranteeitwillnotbeasinsignificantas$5.50perpersonmightsound. Forafamilyoffour,a$5.50perperson“bordercrossingfee”amountsto$22.00,notatrivialexpense.Moreover,historyshowsthatsuchafee,onceinstituted,tendstogrowandmightsoonclimbto$8.50,$10.50oreven$20.00perperson. ThisfeecouldhaveaparticularimpactonHawai‘ibecauseoftheever-increasingnumberofCanadiantravelerswhoprefertostarttheirflightstoU.S.destinationsfromthenearestU.S.airportratherthananairportinCanada.Why?BecauseCanadianairportfeesaremuchhigherthanours.AtBellinghamInternationalAirport,Washington,thenumberofdepartingpassengershasrisenfrom68,000in2001to400,000in2010.AccordingtoCBCNews,morethanhalfareCanadians.ThesituationissimilaratSeattle’sSeaTACairport.ManyoftheseCanadiansareheadingtoHawai‘i.HomelandSecurity’sbrightideawillslowthisflow. Weneedtostopthisbordercrossingfeeproposalinitstracks! IurgeyoutocontacttheSecretaryofCommerce,theSecretaryofHomelandSecurity,theSecretaryofState,andyourfellowmembersoftheHouseandSenateassoonaspossible,andletthemknowhowconcernedweareinHawai‘iwithbothissues–visaprocessingandnewbordercrossingfees–andinitiateurgentactiontocorrecttheseproblems.Mahaloinadvanceforyourefforts.TheyWILLmakeadifferencetovirtuallyeveryoneinourstatebecause,asIhavealwayssaid,InHawai‘i,TourismIsEveryone’sBusiness.Aloha,RichardR.Kelley

Quick Action Needed to Replace Lost Business From JapanContinued from page 1

We must work together quickly to provide alternative sources of inbound travelers for our nation and especially for Hawai‘i...

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followingthesteepincreasesinjet-fuelprices–now“upnearlyhalfsinceSeptemberandabout20percentsincethestartof2011,”accordingtotheAssociated Press.Theseincreaseshavebeentriggeredbytheturmoilintheoil-richMiddleEast,whichshowsnosignofabating. Together,theaftermathofthedisasterinJapanandthedampeningofdemandfortravelresultingfromsharplyclimbingfuelpriceswillseverelyaffectournation’sTravel&Tourismindustry.TheywillhitHawai‘iwithparticularforce. WemustworktogetherquicklytoprovidealternativesourcesofinboundtravelersforournationandespeciallyforHawai‘i,whoseeconomyissocloselytiedtothehealthofthevisitorindustry. ItishearteningtoseetheeffortthatGovernorAbercrombieandtheHawai‘iStateLegislaturearemakingtosupplementHawai‘i’smarketingfundsinordertoattractadditionalvisitorstomakeupforthedeepeningdipinJapaneseandotherarrivals.Thisisacriticalstep.However,itdoesn’tseemlikelytofullycompensatefortheexpecteddecreaseintheflowofvisitors. ThegreatestopportunityforanewsourceofvisitorsliesinChina.Withapopulationof1.3billion,aboomingeconomy,andaburgeoningmiddleclass,Chinasent56milliontravelerstooverseasdestinationsin2010,aphenomenal17.5percentincreaseover2009,accordingtotheChinaNationalTourismCouncil. Unfortunately,becauseofthedifficultiesinobtainingU.S.visas,ourcountryreceivesonlyatrickleofChinesevisitors.AtaconferenceIrecentlyattended,J.W.MarriottJr.,CEOofMarriottInternationalInc.,said,“MoreChinesevisitedParislastyearthanthe(entire)U.S....EachChinesetravelerspendsabout$7,000perU.S.visitcomparedto$1,200foreachdomestictraveler.”Clearly,itwouldbeenormouslyhelpfultoattracttotheUnitedStatesand,ofcourse,toHawai‘i,amuchgreaterportionofthisgrowingtideofoutboundChinesetravelers. OnFebruary1,2011,theFacilitationSubcommitteeoftheTravel&TourismAdvisoryBoardtotheU.S.SecretaryofCommerceissuedareportoninboundinternationaltraveltotheU.S.Thereport,whichcanbefoundathttp://tinyurl.com4hgbcow,clearlyshowsthatoverthelast10years,ourcountryhaslostmorethanathirdofitsshareoftheinternationaltravelmarket. OneofthemajorcausesofthisdropisthedifficultyinternationaltravelersfaceinobtainingaU.S.visa.Thisisaproblem,ofcourse,onlyforcitizensofnationsthatarenotincludedintheStateDepartment’sVisaWaiverProgram.Inotherwords,itisaproblemonlyforresidentsofmostnon-OECDcountries.ThesearenolongerjustThirdWorldnations,however.Theyincludeallfour“BRIC”countries,Brazil,Russia,India,andChina,whoseeconomiesaregrowingrapidlyandwhichcouldbeexcellentsourcesofinboundtourism. Thesubcommitteereportdetailsthecausesofthissituation,includingtheverylimitednumberofU.S.visa-issuinglocationsinthosecountries.Notonlypotentialvacationers,butbusiness