Saturday Briefing

By Dr. Chuck Kelley

At the First Quarter Corporate Safety Committee Meeting, Neal Nakashima introduced the new Excellence in Safety Awards Program. The purpose of this new program is to recognize and reward properties that have exceeded pre-established safety performance goals and have shown commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. Thanks to the dedicated effort of all our safety committees and the commitment of all our employees to work smart and work safe, we have experienced outstanding results this last year. Read the rest of this entry

By Peter Hopgood

There were smiles all round on Friday night, February 26, at the annual AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards with Outrigger on the Lagoon- Fiji winning two prestigious awards. Read the rest of this entry

By Ruthann Yamanaka

People are the reason for the success of any business, and Outrigger is no exception. The Po‘okela Excellence in Leadership Awards are an opportunity to express heartfelt thanks and appreciation to employees whose accomplishments in a particular year were simply extraordinary. Read the rest of this entry

By Una Murray

The vuvale (family) of the Outrigger on the Lagoon-Fiji (FOR) gathered together on Friday, February 5, for their monthly recognition and awards ceremony, as well as to listen to a presentation on the Excom Community Project 2009.

Ilisoni Vibose began the program with a prayer, followed by General Manager Peter Hopgood, who welcomed and thanked everyone for their incredible dedication and hard work during January. He also announced that going forward, he would add two more awards to recognize the staff for always being eager to help and assist guests: the “Here to Help Award” and the “How May I Help Award.”

Next, Alipate Varea presented on the Excom Community Project, which is a yearly tradition at FOR. This past December, the Outrigger on the Lagoon-Fiji Excom Team divided into two groups and drove in different directions to extend the Outrigger Community Bula Spirit to the less fortunate. Team One, consisting of Darren Shaw, Gary Waugh, Leon Pink, and Alipate Varea, drove to Nausori Suva to visit the Dilkusha Orphanage. There were 29 children in total at the Dilkusha Home (27 girls and 2 boys, ranging from one year seven months to 21 years of age.) All of them received gifts of lollies and snacks from the FOR vuvale, and Deaconess Olivia, who has been looking after the home, was very happy and thanked everyone for their contributions.

Team Two, which consisted of Rajnesh Kumar, Shailesh Naidu, Eddie Liwaiono, Lucia Pau’u, and Una Murray, drove down to Nadi to the Treasure House Orphanage, which houses 20 children, ranging from one month to 16 years of age. All of them received their gifts with lots of hugs and kisses from team members. It was a wonderful presentation that truly showed that the Bula Spirit is alive and well at FOR.

Jyoti Ram then announced the results for the 2009 Fourth Quarter Grooming Award. The Activities department came in first with 300 points, followed very closely by the Finance department with 299 points.

Ivamere Matavesi, General Manager Peter Hopgood, Ravinesh Sharma, and Kinijoji Sarai.

Charlotte Steele then presented Employee of the Month winners. The Front of the House Employee for January 2010 is Ivamere Matavesi, who is a Team Leader at the fine dining restaurant Ivi. Ivamere has always been a stand-out employee and once again has shown her ability to put her superior service skills into practice. From guest comments to positive peer and manager feedback, she is an asset and an example for everyone to follow.

Ravinesh Sharma, FOR’s Cost Controller, won the Back of the House Employee for January 2010. He is very thorough in his work and is also instrumental in assisting our Chef and Sous Chef on costing out menus. He is known for his great work ethic and gets along very well with his fellow co-workers.

Kinijoji Sarai, the FOR Activities Manager, was chosen as the Manager of the Month for January 2010. Kinijoji is a wonderful team leader who leads by example and is always working hard to improve the overall guest experience. He is very focused on the safety and rescue procedures at the hotel to ensure our guests have a safe and memorable vacation.

The program concluded with afternoon tea and the excitement of the Bula Spirit Darts Competition. Thanks to everyone for making this a great day!

By Kathy Oyadomari

On February 12, employees of the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber gathered to bid aloha to Monica Padunan, who retired after 22 years of dedicated service. Read the rest of this entry

By The Human Resources Service Center

David Carey, Barry Wallace, Ruthann Yamanaka, Dr. Chuck Kelley, and Department Heads gathered Tuesday, February 19, to honor and recognize an Employee of the Quarter for the Fourth Quarter. They extended their congratulations and offered words of praise. Read the rest of this entry

By The Human Resources Service Center

The Outrigger ‘ohana gathered at the OHANA Waikiki East on Tuesday, January 19, to honor and recognize Employees of the Quarter for the Fourth Quarter. David Carey, Barry Wallace, and Department Heads extended their congratulations and offered words of praise to all of the distinguished honorees and nominees offered words of praise to all of the distinguished honorees and nominees. Read the rest of this entry

By Peter Hopgood

The people have spoken! The world’s largest online travel community, Tripadvisor has released results from its 2010 Travelers’ Choice survey and named the Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji in the Top 3 of family resorts in the South Pacific. Up against resorts from around Australia, Fiji, and other South Pacific islands, the Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji’s Top 3 placement was based on over 380 online guest reviews. Read the rest of this entry

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. Read the rest of this entry

By Kathy Oyadomari

On January 7, employees at the OHANA Waikiki East gathered to bid aloha to Yuk Hong Lee, who retired after 21 years of dedicated service. Read the rest of this entry