Saturday Briefing

By Dr. Richard Kelley

With the National Basketball Association in the middle of playoffs, you are probably hearing the terms “fast break” and “full court press” frequently, as sportscasters and writers describe the tactics teams use to overwhelm the opposition. The terms also metaphorically describe the actions of the Obama administration, as it pulls out all the stops to implement radical changes in our nation’s health care system. Read the rest of this entry

By Mel Kaneshige

This is the third in a series of eight articles written by Outrigger’s executives in support of our Value of the Week program. Every other week one of our company’s executives will introduce the value of the week and share what that value means to them. This week’s author is Mel Kaneshige, Outrigger’s Executive Vice President Real Estate & Development, and this week’s Value of the Week is: A‘o (To learn and to share) – We create opportunities for mutual learning and empowerment that lead to personal and organizational growth and development. - Ka‘ipo Ho Read the rest of this entry

By The OHH PAC Committee

Shawn Usami, Cheryl Suda, Kathy Hansberry, Robert McConnell, Polly Kauahi (Hawaii Foodbank), Peggy Chasteen, Kathy Foley, and Shae Gallardo

On Thursday, April 23, the Outrigger Hotels Hawaii Political Action Committee (OHH PAC) presented a check for $2,500 to Polly Kauahi, Director of Development at Hawaii Foodbank. The OHH PAC Committee decided to do this in lieu of hosting the annual gathering with Hawaii State Politicians. Read the rest of this entry

By Dean Nakasone

Randall Morisako and Pam Yagi show one of the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber’s new variable frequency drive chillers

In the recent renovation of the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber (OBC), great care was taken to incorporate as many energy efficiencies into the reconstruction as possible. I am happy to report that as a result, the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber has received an ENERGY STAR designation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Read the rest of this entry

By Una Murray

Exceptional Dining
The Vale Ni Kana restaurant at the Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji (FOR) offers guests casual dining amidst beautiful traditional Fijian architecture. To add to the dining experience, the restaurant now offers Italian Night on Mondays and Pacific Grill Night on Fridays. In addition to the delicious cuisine, guests are entertained by local singer Ofa Ali, accompanied by guitarist Tewala. Read the rest of this entry

By Kimberly Agas

Island vacationers often pick up inexpensive grass beach mats, plastic body boards, and other “disposable” beach toys during their Hawaiian vacations and then discard them when it’s time to return home. The debris typically heads for the Island’s landfill, or worse, litters the shoreline and ocean. By one estimate, there are enough mats and plastic beach toys dumped in Waikiki to fill 30 swimming pools a year. Read the rest of this entry

By Heather Doeringer

Once again, Outrigger has made someone’s dream come true—a dream of a perfect escape to beautiful Hawaii. Read the rest of this entry

Dr. Richard Kelley — Surrounded by family and friends, Outrigger President and CEO David Carey was honored at the Santa Clara University School of Law’s Celebration of Leadership and Achievement gala dinner, held May 1 in California. David was one of two recipients of an Alumni Special Achievement Award that evening.
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By Ethan Chang  — The Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and the Outrigger Reef on the Beach hosted a variety of activities in celebration of May Day in conjunction with the City and County’s celebration at Kapiolani Park. Guests of the Outrigger Waikiki and the Outrigger Reef learned how to dance hula, make lei, and were treated to special ceremonies by the incoming and outgoing Lei Day Courts. Read the rest of this entry

Marianne Thesken — On May 1, The Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation (KPR) celebrated Lei Day with the Annual Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation Farmer’s Market—an event geared towards raising funds for the Waikiki Visitor Industry Charity Walk. The Farmers Market was a multi-cultural event, where you could get a taste of Portugal, enjoy the flavors of the Philippines, partake of an American tradition, and experience a Hawaiian tradition.

Owners, guests, neighbors, and employees were able to purchase fresh mango, papaya, eggplant, limes and a variety of other fresh fruits and vegetables. The Grounds department sold ice cold coconut to drink and eat. Housekeeping sold their famous Pancit, fresh hot malasadas, and a wide variety of Filipino desserts. The Homeowner Liaison office sold homemade and fresh flower lei and unique t-shirts commemorating the Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a Value of Wahi— a sense of place. The Building Maintenance department manned the grill and offered hamburgers, hot dogs, and “To Die For” chili dogs. Front Office and Security wove coconut palm frond hats and baskets and photographs of Kauai taken by Ori Garcia.

There was also a “White Elephant” table with unique items for sale. For deal seekers, it was a great place to pick up that special item at a great price.

The Annual Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation Farmer’s Market was a great event filled with camaraderie and Aloha. It would not have been possible without the support and commitment of the KPR ‘ohana—mahalo to everyone who worked so hard to make this event happen. We can’t wait to do it all over again next year!