Stella Burgess, known around the 900-employee Hyatt Regency Kaua’i Resort & Spa as “Aunty Stella,” is the leader of the resort’s mandatory “Sharing Classes” for employees, where she spreads her vast knowledge of things Hawaiian. According to her co-workers, Burgess
Stella Burgess, known around the 900-employee Hyatt Regency Kaua’i Resort & Spa as “Aunty Stella,” is the leader of the resort’s mandatory “Sharing Classes” for employees, where she spreads her vast knowledge of things Hawaiian.
According to her co-workers, Burgess radiates positive energy, with her powerful presence and generous spirit, is respectful of her fellow employees, and is always willing to share her heart, soul and mind.
Born and raised on Kaua’i, Burgess lives by the teachings she learned when she was growing up with supportive ‘ohana: cherish the ‘aina (land); educate by listening to the dreams and memories of the past; and understand that life is an ongoing sharing and learning experience.
Her kupuna (elders) also taught her to believe that people are destined to specific paths in life, whether a warrior, educator or healer. Her path in this life, she feels, is to expose people to Hawai’i’s rich culture and, in the process, give them the opportunity to discover something new within themselves.
Her platform at Po’ipu’s Hyatt is the one-hour Sharing Class, offered different times during the day and night to allow each employee to attend one.
The sharing classes are informal, “talk-story” sessions covering such topics as Hawaiian language, place names, history, legends and traditions.
Much of the sharing prepares employees to answer guests’ questions, but some of the discussions relate to the employees on a more personal level. “We discuss their roles and their feelings about being part of the resort,” Burgess said.
“The employees are not just providing a service. They provide the ‘essence’ of the resort,” she continued.
“They share a part of themselves every day. The classes encourage employees to share — not just their knowledge of Hawaiian ways, but their own histories as well,” she said.
“I urge them all to be storytellers. Our resort ‘ohana is not just Hawaiian,” Burgess said. “All the employees and their own cultures make up our family. It’s important that they feel comfortable to share their own story with each other, their children, grandchildren — and guests, if they wish,” she said.
Inspired by the resort’s cultural emphasis and the profound leadership of Burgess, small groups of employees have taken on special projects, such as researching and classifying the many heiau (ancient places of worship) located along the resort’s coastline, or learning protocol — the proper ways to carry out traditional Hawaiian ceremonies.
These activities are not required, Burgess said. Instead, employees do it because they love it.
“It’s from the heart,” she said.
Sharing with employees and giving them a sense and appreciation of the Hawaiian culture has brought a new life force to the resort, and it is through her spirit and guidance that this force will continue to strengthen the power of aloha into the future, hotel executives hope.
More information on the hotel is available at www.kauai-hyatt.com, or toll-free at 1-800-55-HYATT (1-800-554-9288).
