PO‘IPU — Steve Yannarell, president of the Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association, Kaua‘i Chapter, said that the visitor industry can be rebuilt with the people in attendance at the 12th Annual Malama Awards, Thursday at the Grand Hyatt Regency Resort
PO‘IPU — Steve Yannarell, president of the Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association, Kaua‘i Chapter, said that the visitor industry can be rebuilt with the people in attendance at the 12th Annual Malama Awards, Thursday at the Grand Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa.
More than 80 associates, managers, supervisors and other leaders of the tourism industry from almost all of the visitor destinations on the island were applauded at the appreciation dinner, Yannarell noting the appropriateness of the awards falling on a day Kaua‘i pauses to pay respect to Prince Jonah Kuhio.
Each of the honorees, from the front of the house to the back, works to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture.
The Grand Hyatt with Aunty Stella Burgess and Lopaka Bukoski went the extra mile, journeying to Koke‘e to collect material that went into the centerpieces that honored the prince and was presented to special guests at the event.
Doug Sears, general manager of the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, said the room represented “the best of the best” and each person deserved recognition because Kaua‘i has a reputation for hospitality and the honorees all contribute to that reputation in the work they perform.
“We can rebuild the industry with people,” Sears said. “What we have is each other.”
Sandi Kato-Kluke, the Kaua‘i HHLA representative, said the awards have no first or second place. Each of the honorees are acknowledged for the work they contribute to the visitor industry.
County Councilman Dickie Chang, garbed in a white coat which was saved by Wilma Corpuz prior to the event, hosted the evening’s presentations, adding anecdotes to the honorees and encouraging guests at the event to read their biographies in the program booklet.
This event was taped by Bruce Smalling for viewing during the regular airing of the “Wala‘au” show hosted by Chang who has hosted the Malama Awards since it has been held on Kaua‘i.
Ann Horner, a drive-up teller for First Hawaiian Bank, was honored as the Allied Outstanding Employee of the Year, only the second time in the 12-year history this award has been presented to an individual not working in the visitor industry.
Additionally, Sears called on Capt. Mitham Clement of the Salvation Army who was surprised when presented with a check for $5,000 to help the Salvation Army with its Kokua Soup Kitchen after Sears read about the seating situation due to the increase in people taking advantage of the hot meal program.
This is one example of monies raised by the visitor industry staying on Kaua‘i to help Kaua‘i’s communities, said Yannarell who will be chairing this year’s 2009 Visitor Industry Charity Walk that kicks off today.
Funds from the walk help 40 nonprofit organizations on Kaua‘i.
Visit thegardenisland.com for a complete list of winners of the Malama Awards.
12th Annual Malama Awards
Administrator/Accountant of the Year
Pua Costa, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
Joletta DeCosta, Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation
Julie Pavao, The Westin Princeville
Joan Arakaki, Lawai Beach Resort
Laurien Muranaka, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i
Bell Person of the Year
Edwin Aceret, Kaua‘i Marriott Resort
George Gonzalez, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i
Kit Kimura, Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Jade Rosa, The Westin Princeville
Gene Padilla, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
Concierge of the Year
Natalie Ferrante, The Westin Princeville
Leticia Kanahele, Marriott Waiohai
Wanda Oshiro, Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Teak Ruby-Ano, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i
Toshiko Saiki, Kaua‘i Marriott Resort
Shantelle Valdez, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
Engineering/Maintenance Person of the Year
Virgilio Balisacan, Kaua‘i Marriott
Mario Baldovino, Aston Kaua‘i Beach at Maka‘iwa
Ernesto Barroga, Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Edgar Corpuz, Lawai Beach Resort
Arden Delos Santos, Marriott Waiohai
Herb Fune, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
Keola Ke, The Westin Princeville
Julius Nordmeier, Waimea Plantation Cottages
Ronald Rivera, Aston Islander on the Beach
John Visitacion, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i
Food & Beverage Person of the Year
Sharma Bautista, Kaua‘i Marriott Resort
Judy Corpuz, Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Darlene Dolan, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
Holiday Efran, The Westin Princeville
Janis Kaulana Finn, Waimea Plantation Cottage
Jack Fuller, Marriott Waiohai
Tim Kopesky, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i
Donna Phillipson, Aston Kaua‘i Beach at Maka‘iwa
Front Office/Reservations Person of the Year
Susan Akutagawa, Aston Islander on the Beach
Randy Asuncion, Marriott Waiohai
Joni Bostick, Waimea Plantation Cottages
Genevieve Cruz, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
Tanya Fletcher, Kaua‘i Marriott Resort
Rosanna “Kaulana” Keale, Lawai Beach Resort
Ronald Laroche, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i
Liz Yago, Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Bernice Yoshioka, Aston Kaua‘i Beach at Maka‘iwa
Housekeeper of the Year
Traci Aki, Aston Islander on the Beach
Jenifer Diaz, Aston Kaua‘i Beach at Maka‘iwa
Kristere “Annie” Esposo, Lawai Beach Resort
Lilibeth Gorospe, Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Regino Jarquio, Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation
Reynaldo Lacerona, Waimea Plantation Cottages
Sam Meadows, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i
Purita Norial, Kaua‘i Marriott Resort
Glennis Pai, Aston at Po‘ipu Kai
Angela Prigge, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
Orlando Tangonan, Marriott Waiohai
Leonel Verduzco, The Westin Princeville
Security Officer of the Year
Jerry Briones, Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation
Robert Dela Cruz, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i
Charles Iona, Waimea Plantation Cottages
Bernard “Bo” Kamala, Lawai Beach Resort
Jason Scalzo, Kaua‘i Marriott Resort
Donald Viquelia, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
Joseph Young Jr., Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Supervisor-Manager of the Year
Ben Camelo, Lawai Beach Resort
Sherrie Chan, Lawai Beach Resort
Guadalupe “Fe” Esposo, Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation
Larry Harper, The Westin Princeville
Guy Higa, Kaua‘i Marriott Resort
Owen Hoff, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
Kukui Kaliko, Aston Kaua‘i Beach at Maka‘iwa
Nora Lopez, Aston at Po‘ipu Kai
Tammy Melandish-Manaku, Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Cathy Veatch, Marriott Waiohai
Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year
Glenna Agtunong, Aston at Po‘ipu Kai
Laree Castillo, Hilton Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Ryden Domingsel, Kaua‘i Marriott Resort
Norma Flores, Aston Kaua‘i Beach at Maka‘iwa
Mark Godoy, Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa
Cesar Medrano, Lawai Beach Resort
Geri Kawamura, Marriott Waiohai
Karen Jasper, The Westin Princeville
Alvin Pinolar, Outrigger at Lae Nani
Stacie Rita, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort
Julia Tambio, Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation
Tia Viluan, Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i
Allied Outstanding Employee of the Year
Ann Horner, First Hawaiian Bank
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
