NAWILIWILI — She took a branch and turned it into one of the most productive branches in the bank, said Mike Murakoshi, senior vice president, Kaua‘i Region office of First Hawaiian Bank, Tuesday night. Joyce Vidinha, branch manager of the
NAWILIWILI — She took a branch and turned it into one of the most productive branches in the bank, said Mike Murakoshi, senior vice president, Kaua‘i Region office of First Hawaiian Bank, Tuesday night.
Joyce Vidinha, branch manager of the Kukui Grove branch of FHB, was honored as the Allied Outstanding Employee of the Year during the 13th Annual Malama Awards, hosted by the Hawai‘i Hotel and Lodging Association, Kaua‘i Chapter.
Vidinha embodies First Hawaiian Bank’s five “C’s,” or core values, which summarizes who they are, how they treat each other and how they treat their customers, states the evening’s program booklet.
Those values include caring, character, cooperation, competitiveness and confidence, and in embodying these values in her work ethic has taken her branch to new heights since being named branch manager in 2005.
The award was especially poignant because it represents an organization outside the arena of the visitor industry which works closely with the HHLA to support the visitor industry.
During the evening, numerous employees from the many visitor-destination properties were recognized for their outstanding service to their respective properties.
Steve Yannarell, the Kaua‘i HHLA Kaua‘i Chapter chairperson, was joined by Randall Francisco, president of the Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce, Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., and Kaua‘i County Councilmembers Jay Furfaro, Tim Bynum and Lani Kawahara, in presenting each of the recognized employees with a specially-created surfboard plaque and a certificate of commendation as County Councilmember Dickie Chang, garbed in a white tuxedo similar to those worn at the Academy Award presentations, added a personal quip about each recognized employee after reading their respective biographies.
“This is far more than we had last year,” said Elli Gorman, the human resources manager of the Sheraton Kaua‘i and one of the recognized employees. “It’s great to recognize these employees for what they do for their properties.”
Employees were recognized in 10 categories excluding the Allied honoree. These included Administrator/Accountant of the year, Bell Person of the Year, Concierge of the Year, Engineering/Maintenance Person of the Year, Food & Beverage Person of the Year, Front Office/Reservations Person of the Year, Housekeeper of the Year, Security Officer of the Year, Supervisor/Manager of the Year and Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year.
“You make us all proud,” Carvalho said following the presentations.
