By Barry Wallace

Friday, January 15, 2010, was the 20th annual Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association’s Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana awards recognition luncheon honoring hospitality industry star performers statewide for the year 2009.As in years past, Outrigger Enterprises had numerous stars and a large contingent of ‘ohana in attendance to show their support.

Hundreds packed Sheraton Waikiki’s Hawaii Ballroom in anticipation of seeing their finalists win in the categories of Bell/Valet Person of the Year, Concierge of the Year, Engineer/Maintenance Person of the Year, Food & Beverage Person of the Year, Front Office Person of the Year, Housekeeper of the Year, Manager of the Year, Security Officer of the Year, and Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year.

Master and Mistress of Ceremony were again Shannon Scott and Lina Girl from KCCN FM 100, whose humorous antics kept the audience entertained and the program on track.

All honorees were called to the stage and recognized, and then three finalists in each category were called on stage and a brief description of why they were chosen was read.

Congratulations to our honorable mentions: Aniceto Andres, Maintenance Cleaner; Barbara Lam, Assistant Housekeeper; Ed Kawewehi, Cook 1; Elpidio Oviedo, Housekeeper; Emilio Marlang, Bell Attendant; Femme Ganir, Quality Control Inspectress; Franklin Agarpao, Bell Valet; Gloria Estabaya, Housekeeper; Inocencio Agliam, Houseman; Irene Cabulera, Cook; Janice Ng, Executive Housekeeper; Jeanne Ross, Resort Accountant; Josie Corpuz, Unit Cleaner; Kevin Nakamichi, Bellman Supervisor; Angelito Naira, Lead Maintenance; Maile Okuma, Guest Service Representative; Maka Cacho, Guest Service Representative; Martha Villanueva, Rooms Control Clerk; Mikala Chang, Guest Service Representative; Patrick Davis,  Maintenance II; Rudy Aggasid Jr., Bellman; Sandy Lee, Guest Services Manager; Shao Yu Lei Miu, Room Attendant; and Sonia Damaso, Housekeeper I.

To each of our honorees, mahalo for living our values of Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a and striving for excellence in the workplace. Yes, Hawaii has the sunshine, surf, and sand, but it is the people that make the place, and I know it is because of each one of you that our guests return year after year.

Mahalo again to all our “Stars.”