March 26, 2011 A MESSAGE FROM RICHARD R. KELLEY...
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Saturday Briefing Page Quick Action Needed to Replace Lost Business From Japan By Dr. Richard R. Kelley Earlier this week I sent the following letter to Hawai‘i’s Congressional Delegation and Hawai‘i Governor Neil Abercrombie. In it, I called for urgent action on issues needed to compensate for the loss of Japanese visitors–which has already begun–in the aftermath of the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami, as well as the ongoing radiation dangers from the crippled nuclear power plants at Fukushima. To: Senator Daniel Inouye Senator Daniel Akaka Representative Mazie Hirono Representative Colleen Hanabusa Governor Neil Abercrombie Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed indescribable destruction in Japan as a result of the March 11 magnitude 9 earthquake and the terrible tsunami that followed. Bad as it is, the situation could easily get worse if the Japanese authorities don’t soon bring the damaged nuclear power plants at Fukushima under control. Nobody knows how long it will take to restore Japan’s basic urban services, repair the physical damage, and halt the spread of radioactive contaminants. It may be many months or years and, during that time, there is no question that outbound travel from Japan, the world’s third largest economy, will fall significantly. As if to confirm my prediction, Delta Airlines just announced it will reduce flights to and from Japan by up to 20 percent through May. ere are many more such announcements in our future. e damage to international travel is being compounded by the growing cost of flying 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 March 17, 2011, was definitely a green day for the Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk®! St. Patrick’s Day is all about green and celebrations, and the team at the Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk® celebrated in its own green way with a special recognition ceremony by Governor Neil Abercrombie for the 2011 Green Business Program. e celebration was one day, but the commitment began over a year ago and will continue into the future with new programs and products being implemented at the resort. Team members may have changed during the process, but the goal to reduce our environmental footprint by reducing the amount of resources we use is imbedded in everyone’s efforts. e team has also achieved corporate recognition for their efforts with a Gold Certificate in Wyndham’s national program to a “green” legacy in sustainability. e resort has replaced and retrofitted all fixtures with incandescent bulbs to compact and implemented energy saving occupancy sensors in offices and public restrooms. From 2008-2010, the resort has reduced kWh consumption by 5.4%, and reduced gas usage by 6.5%. All guestrooms now feature low-flow showerheads, low-flow toilets, and sink aerators to decrease water consumption. Guest amenities and cleaning supplies were migrated to earth-friendly products. All reusable hotel items such as furniture, dishes, small appliances, and carpeting have been donated to local charities and schools. e Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk® team was invited to the Governor’s Chambers and recognized along with six other resorts throughout the islands, including the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, JW March 26, 2011 A MESSAGE FROM RICHARD R. KELLEY TO OUR OUTRIGGER ‘OHANA Continued on page 3
Transcript of March 26, 2011 A MESSAGE FROM RICHARD R. KELLEY...
Saturday BriefingPage �
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
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.
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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.
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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
