Saturday Briefing

By Dr. Richard Kelley

During the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Kelley family watched the action from the top floor of their home on Kuhio Avenue

Tomorrow, December 7, is a very significant day, as it marks the 67th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. One week later, December 14, marks the 36th running of the Honolulu Marathon. These two events have had a profound effect on my life and probably the lives of many members of our ‘ohana living or working in Hawaii.On December 7, 1941, my sisters, Jean and Pat, and I were just kids living with our parents Roy and Estelle Read the rest of this entry

By Lois Shore

After months of painstaking work by a team of talented individuals from across the company, I am happy to report that on December 1, Outrigger Enterprises Group successfully launched an exciting new and exclusive travel agent website — OutriggerAgent.com — and a revitalized Outrigger Hospitality Specialist Program. The new website is Outrigger’s first travel agent-only online resource, which offers exclusive insider information and tips on all Outrigger-owned, managed, and affiliated hotels, resorts and condominiums. Read the rest of this entry

By Pattie Furtado

A special gathering for clients was held this past Tuesday to celebrate the completion of Best Western The

The hotel lobby is freshly-decorated, with new furnishings and of island art

Plaza Hotel’s multi-year $3 million comprehensive renovation. Mahalo to Mildred Courtney, who helped pull this special evening together. Everyone who attended had nothing but great things to say about the newly-upgraded guest rooms and corridors, our refreshed hotel lobby, and the transformed Plaza Café, in addition to the enhanced guest services and warm island welcome every guest and traveler receives when entering this comfortable airport hotel. Read the rest of this entry

By Neil Murakami

Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk’s Hospitality department and Waikiki Beach Services joined together to create an extraordinary and incredible guest experience.

Kahi Kapololu (far left) with guests and Beach Boys

Hospitality Manager Marsha Kapu and Guest Experience Host Kahi Kapololu, wanted to offer guests the opportunity to experience a phenomenal outrigger canoe ride and knew that only Waikiki Beach Services could ensure they delivered on that promise. Together they created “The Outrigger Canoe Experience.” Guests can take advantage of the activity fives times a week.
Read the rest of this entry

By Una Murray

The Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji (FOR) held its monthly Get Together on Friday, November 28. Executives, Managers, and staff attended the celebration which honored staff members for their outstanding achievements. Read the rest of this entry

By Dean Nakasone

As we all know, it can be challenging operating a hotel while it is undergoing a complete top-to-bottom redo. Throughout the process, we all have our eye set on the day when the barriers come down, and we can operate “normally” again. I am happy to report that we’re just about there with the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber. Just this past week, we announced the completion of our interior remodel, which includes our newly-upgraded guest rooms, lobby, and porte cochere — all part of the $21million renovation of the hotel.

Guest rooms at the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber now feature a rejuvenated look with a contemporary design, neutral hues, sandstone accents, as well as new carpeting and hardwood furnishings. Each guest room also boasts custom-made bedding for a fully restful sleep and 32-inch flat-screen televisions. Bathrooms are completely updated with granite countertops, wall-mounted mirrors, and decorative light fixtures.

Upgrades to the hotel’s lobby and port cochere mirror this design aesthetic by offering a more spacious and comfortable entry and check-in process. Additional upgrades to the hotel include a new fitness room and business center.

The final phase of the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber’s renovation will include completion of a new pool by year’s end that will provide guests with a tropical oasis to lounge and play. Also, the hotel is excited to welcome the highly-anticipated lifestyle restaurant and bar, Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber, slated to open in early 2009. This new 22,000 square foot dining, entertainment, and retail venue will allow guests to enjoy a full menu, cocktails, and lively entertainment by a variety of well-known and up-and-coming entertainers. Part of the restaurant will be the new Honolulu Surfing Museum and Bar that will serve up cool drinks, while showcasing surfing collectibles and memorabilia.

The all-new OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber is truly one of Waikiki’s best kept secrets – it is conveniently located in the center of Waikiki – just steps from the beach, directly across from Royal Hawaiian Center and Duke’s Waikiki and adjacent to the International Market Place. The hotel is also home to Waikiki’s only Macy’s, as well as the dazzling “Magic of Polynesia” show with John Hirokawa.

All of us at the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber are thrilled with the exciting changes that have taken place at the hotel, and we invite everyone to stop by and see for themselves the wonderful transformation the hotel has gone through.