PO‘IPU — Robert Ancheta and Frank Guarin had the tough job Wednesday at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort. Ancheta, recently promoted to property operations manager, was coordinating 40 specially decorated miniature Christmas trees with Guarin, hotel general manager, in preparation for
PO‘IPU — Robert Ancheta and Frank Guarin had the tough job Wednesday at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort.
Ancheta, recently promoted to property operations manager, was coordinating 40 specially decorated miniature Christmas trees with Guarin, hotel general manager, in preparation for the silent auction that ends today.
The display is part of the Sheraton Kaua‘i’s Festival of Trees which features the creativity and artistry of Starwood employees from the Sheraton Kaua‘i, St. Regis Princeville Resort and the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.
Trees are located around the central holiday tree decorated in local motif, and the public is invited to join the resort guests and associates in bidding for their favorite trees.
The trees are 18 inches high and make perfect accent pieces for homes, offices and work spaces.
Proceeds from the silent auction benefit the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort’s Hui Pu‘uwai (heart) program, which contributes to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, Visitor Industry Charity Walk and Aloha United Way.
Bidders can also view the winners in the categories of best use of theme, most traditional, best tree top, most creative and/or unique, most beautiful, best children’s theme, best tree skirt under the tree display, best of the festival and people’s choice.
Bidding for trees starts at $20 and moves up in increments of $5, accepted from resort guests, associates and the public.
The maximum bid for a tree is $50, and if a first bidder bids $50 the tree is theirs automatically.
“This is only the second year we’ve done this, and the entries are really good,” said Ancheta, auction organizer.
Guarin is excited about the arrival of Executive Chef Leanne Kamekona to the Sheraton Kaua‘i.
“She’s a local girl from the Big Island, and when she arrived from Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa, had a Southwestern flair to her cooking, but she can cook-local style, too,” Guarin said.
Debbie Yanagihara, from the Sheraton Kaua‘i’s human resources department, is also excited because Kamekona is headlining the associates’ annual holiday gathering.
“She’s really excited about being home,” Yanagihara said. “She’s even doing a surprise for our associates’ party.”
Jacob Vogelgesang, director of food and beverage at Sheraton Kaua‘i, said Kamekona and her crew have created wonderful holiday menus that are sure to please.
“This year will be extra special with our Friday-night lu‘au falling on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve,” Vogelgesang said in an e-mail. “The New Year’s Eve lu‘au will start at 6 p.m. rather than 5 p.m. so the guests can experience our fireworks show coordinated by the Po‘ipu Beach Resort Association that will start at 10 p.m.”
Visit www.sheraton-kauai.com for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
