Monthly Archives: September 2010
Sigatoka to Host Rugby Sevens Tournament
By Una Murray
Fiji’s Coral Coast Sevens will be the main Sevens Rugby Tournament [Rugby played with only 7 players on each team] in Fiji, boasting the biggest prize purse. The inaugural Rugby tournament will be held at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka November 19-20, attracting the best of Fiji Rugby Sevens and invited teams from Australia, New Zealand, and Samoa.
The Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a 6 Paddles Process Gains Valuable Momentum for Paddle 3
By Kaipo Ho
During the months of July and August, our Alaka‘i worked incredibly hard during higher summer occupancies to launch Paddle 2, and keep the momentum of Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a moving forward.
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Outrigger “Lavawomen”
By Anabelle Smith & Carol Hanna
Following a successful inaugural year, the 2nd annual Lavaman Keauhou Triathlon returned to Keauhou Beach Resort (KBR) on Sunday, August 29, 2010.
Founded twelve years ago, Lavaman is a fully sanctioned USA Triathlon Olympic Distance Triathlon. Founded on the underlying philosophy of supporting the communities that make these races possible, Lavaman supports local charities by making donations to groups providing volunteers for the events.
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A Rally of Champions at Waikiki Beach Walk®!
By Kathy Hansberry
While many people were enjoying the Labor Day holiday at the beach, barbecuing, or just relaxing at home, various team members from Outrigger Enterprises Group, Embassy Suites® Waikiki Beach Walk®, and Waikiki Beach Walk® teamed up to spread the Aloha Spirit by welcoming home the 2010 United States Little League World Series Champions…Hawai‘i’s very own Waipio Little League team.
- Senator Brickwood Galuteria and Billy V. with Hawai‘i’s Waipio Little League Champs
When it comes to baseball, Hawai‘i’s celebrated Waipio Little League team is in a league all their own. Embassy Suites® – Waikiki Beach Walk® congratulated the team and their family members with a private breakfast reception, followed by a special rally and autograph session at the Waikiki Beach Walk’s Plaza Stage. Senator Brickwood Galuteria opened the rally by delivering a special message of pride, praise, and encouragement from the entire state. Hosted by local TV personality and Hawaiian 105 KINE Radio host Billy V., the team was presented with a large koa-framed team photo, and the young champs were individually recognized with a kukui nut lei and a small koa-framed team photo, courtesy of Picture Plus. Blaine Kia serenaded the crowd, as local residents, visitors, friends, and fans lined up to meet and greet the winning team.
- Director of Sales & Marketing Susan Koehler & Billy V. showed their support for our Waipio Little League Champs
Embassy Suites® is a member of the Hilton® Family of Hotels, which recently announced a three-year commitment to be the official hotel partner of Little League Baseball and Softball. With the U.S. champs from Hawai‘i, Embassy Suites®-Waikiki Beach Walk®, Outrigger Enterprises Group, and Waikiki Beach Walk® were happy to step up to the plate to recognize and celebrate these young athletes.
A huge MAHALO goes out to the hardworking team at Embassy Suites®-Waikiki Beach Walk® and Waikiki Beach Walk®. Special MAHALO to Kent Untermann from Pictures Plus, Susan Koehler, Conchita Malaqui, Shantel Burns, Mark Burson, Bob Yeoman, Josh Shimamoka, and the entire Staff of Embassy Suites®-Waikiki Beach Walk® who helped make the special breakfast event a huge success for the Waipio Little League Champs.
Asia Momentum Builds
By David Carey
(Dr. Richard Kelley is traveling. His column will return next week.)
Last week, Mel Kaneshige and I had a chance to visit some of our present and future locations in Asia. The main focus of the trip was the official signing celebration for the Outrigger Vinh Hoi Bay Resort and Spa located in Quy Nhon in Vietnam. Our hotel is to be a part of an 800 acre mixed use Vinh Hoi Bay Golf Resort with four other internationally-branded hotels, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course, Vietnam’s first equestrian center, hiking trails, and local marketplace, all nestled in a spectacular secluded bay with 1.7 miles of white sand beach.
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“Call the Coach” Show Back at Kani Ka Pila Grille
By Nancy Daniels
The popular “Call the Coach” radio show, with University of Hawai‘i Warrior football Coach Greg McMackin and ESPN 1420’s Bobby Curran, is back at Kani Ka Pila Grille. The first program was held August 31 to a near sell-out crowd, as Coach Mac talked about this year’s team and previewed the September 2 UH vs. USC game.
OHANA Waikiki East Celebrates the Paddle Process
By Alan Naito
On August 24, the OHANA Waikiki East (OEH) celebrated Paddles 1 and 2 of our 6-Paddles Process – ‘ohana style!
Our own Clayton Pono Umuiwi kicked off the occasion with a Hawaiian chant and blessing. I welcomed our ‘ohana, and Alaka‘i Maile Okuma shared how the Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a Process began and the implementation of the 6-Paddles Process. A Spanish blessing was articulately given by our Guest Service Manager Denise Torres, and the food tasting was on in celebration of Paddle 2 – Celebrating Where We Come From.
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Making Francis Borrell’s Wish Come True
By Susan Sunderland
On the morning after the United States declared an end to combat operations in Iraq, another moment of American patriotism was taking place in the lobby of Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Ninety-five-year-old WWII veteran Francis Borrell was escorted through an arcade of American flags on Wednesday morning to an awaiting sedan that took him on a journey to Pearl Harbor to make a dream come true.
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Mastering English at the Outrigger Laguna Phuket
By Khun Paew Chanantho
The Banyan Tree Academy is an English language and computer training centre that enables participants to increase their language competencies and computer skills so they are better able to perform their daily work functions.
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Duke’s OceanFest—Celebrating Hawai‘i’s Greatest Waterman
By Nancy Daniels
The Duke’s OceanFest has become a summer tradition with thousands venturing to Waikīkī every August to enjoy a week of great ocean activities in celebration and tribute to Hawai‘i’s greatest waterman, Duke Kahanamoku. This year was no different, with the waters off Waikīkī filled with water enthusiasts of all kinds, while spectators lined the beach to enjoy the spectacle of close to 900 ocean athletes competing in surfing, surf polo, ocean swimming, stand-up paddling, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, and legends events.
