Monthly Archives: January 2009
Mystery Solved: Getting Teenagers to Clean Their Rooms!
By Gavan Conway
An innovative training program offered to high school students by the Outrigger Twin Towns Resort has received an overwhelming “thumbs up” from the parents of three local students who’ve started a two-year training program to gain a Certificate II in Hospitality. Read the rest of this entry
Employees of the Quarter Honored Fourth Quarter 2008
By The Human Resources Service Center
The Outrigger ‘ohana gathered at the OHANA East’s Princess Ka‘iulani Room on Tuesday, January 13, to honor and recognize Employees of the Quarter for the Fourth Quarter. Barry Wallace, Dr. Chuck Kelley, and Department Heads extended their congratulations and offered words of praise to all of the distinguished honorees and nominees. Read the rest of this entry
Fiji Flood Update
By Darren Shaw
As many of our ‘ohana would have read in the media, Fiji has experienced the worst floods in 50 years. The flooding has primarily affected the northern and western regions of the main island of Viti Levu, including Nadi, where the main international airport is located. A number of outer islands have also been affected.
Starting last weekend, a deep low weather system generated monsoonal rains over a short time, which was worsened by high tides, leaving many local villagers and business operators with severe losses to their livelihoods and homes.
A large-scale clean-up operation has now begun, as the weather starts to improve.
Fortunately, the Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji’s location on the Coral Coast, which is approximately 40 miles (80km) south of Nadi, has left us relatively unscathed, with no flood damage recorded.
We have extensive flood mitigation systems in place, including a large seawall and our primary concern has
- The main issue faced by the Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji was transferring guests to and from Nadi International Airport
been ensuring the safety and comfort of our guests and staff. The main issue we have faced, together with all Coral Coast resorts, has been transferring guests to and from Nadi International Airport, due to road access cut by the floods.
A dedicated weather briefing centre was set-up in our boardroom, providing guests with three daily weather updates, phone and Internet access to travel agents, airlines and latest news, together with updates from local tour and transfer operators regarding traveling conditions.
Transfers took place at times deemed by authorities to be safe for guests, and the worst seems to be over, with roads now open.
The past few days have been a challenge for Outrigger and our sister property at Castaway Island, and we are very concerned for the welfare of our staff and their families, many of whom have experienced loss of property and possessions from the floods.
Both Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji and Castaway Island Resort will be providing assistance to our staff affected by the floods in every way possible, and I would like to personally commend them all for their unwavering support provided to our guests over these challenging past few days.
Economics 101 Meets “The Art of the Impossible”
Here we are at the start of a new year. Saturday Briefing has been coming out every week for 25 years – nearly 1,300 issues since its debut on January 21, 1984 – and we now begin our second quarter century of publication!
Aloha from Kuwait
By Brian Fong
Guest Services Representative Fiti Seloti is currently serving our country in Kuwait. He recently sent this photograph of himself with his team, along with a note he wanted to share with the Outrigger ‘ohana.
Recap of the 45th Annual Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic!
By Kathy Hansberry
For many years, the holiday season has been synonymous with our ongoing community commitment in support of the University of Hawaii’s Athletics, particularly our titled sponsored men’s basketball tournament — the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic. This past holiday season was no different.
Sun Bee Assumes New Position in E-Commerce Department
By Dan Wacksman
Sun Bee
Please join me and the Human Resources department in congratulating Sun Bee on her new position with the Interactive Commerce department. With the start of the New Year, Sun has stepped into a new role as Director, Online Distribution and Marketing and is now responsible for managing and optimizing Outrigger’s online marketing across media platforms and for improving company performance and return on investment through all online channels.
Monica Wong – Statewide Housekeeper of the Year!
By Barry Wallace
Thursday, January 8, was the 19th annual Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association’s Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana awards recognition luncheon, honoring hospitality industry star performers statewide for the year 2008. As is tradition, Outrigger Enterprises had several star nominees and a large contingent of `ohana in attendance to show their support.
Christmas is Celebrated at Outrigger Twin Towns Resort
By Gavan Conway
Sarah Weston
To help celebrate Christmas and our value of Wahi (place), Outrigger Twin Towns Resort held a contest, with staff creating posters showing how Christmas is celebrated where they come from. Nine different countries were represented, among other entries.
The winner was Sarah Weston from the Front Office, a local girl from Tweed Heads. Her poster showed spending time with family and family fun in the sun at local beaches.
Guests Serenaded at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach
By Joanna Demeo
The Outrigger Reef’s lobby was center stage as Yale’s a capella group “Proof of the Pudding” performed for our guests
The Yale University women’s a capella group, Proof of the Pudding, made a special appearance at the Outrigger Reef to perform for guests and employees in the front lobby.
