Saturday Briefing

By Barry Wallace

The spirit of the holiday season is alive throughout the Outrigger family in ways as varied as our people. Here is a glimpse of a few of the holiday festivities to date.

Oahu
In appreciation for everyone’s hard work in 2008, over 500 Waikiki employees gathered for an evening of

Yu Ming Liang, Suxian Zhou, and Barry Wallace - Oahu

appreciation. The ‘ohana enjoyed cultural entertainment, a sampling of international food, and fellowship with one another. Themed “Joy to the World,” the gathering was designed to highlight Outrigger’s diversity — who we are, where we’re from — as well as where Outrigger is doing business globally.

Charismatic emcees, Pila Hanson and Jerry Dolak, kept the evening activities flowing between the entertainment and prize drawings.  Congratulations to all the prize winners, including Leung Leong for receiving the evening’s top prize.

A huge mahalo to the Holiday Party planning committee: Char Luning, Cheryl Minato, Ethan Chang, Heather Doeringer, Joey Fukuoka, Luana Maitland, and Nurhan Enustun — and to all of the volunteers who assisted in making the year-end celebration a special event: Ka‘ipo Ho, Lauren Reis, Eric Ishikawa, Crystal Salave’a, Loyce Hurley, Marilyn Honda, Adelina Balmilero, Pam Niesz, Kathy Foley, Sandy Kaleohano, P.K. Ka‘ahanui, Wendle Raping, Nancy Brunner, Sharon Okada, Cari Coates, Nancy Wan, Naomi Keamo, Kevin Wong, Dr. Chuck Kelley, Mercedes Lanza, Matt Sproat, Teri Orton, Ellen Isidro, Robert “Popo” (Santa) Kanoa, and the hard-working staff of the Ala Moana Hotel.

As we know, the hospitality industry never sleeps, and we all appreciate the hard-working individuals on duty that night who were not able to attend. Congratulations to the following lucky drawing winners: Yu Ming Feng, Troy Hiura, Reynold Dacquel, William Aiwohi, Maxim Guan, Marcelino Baguyo, Alvina Leon, Karen Fong, Andy Ishimine, Micah Ota, Pepito Quijano, Zhi Liang Peng, and Eriko Tsuchida. Congratulations, thank you, and enjoy!

Kauai
On Saturday, December 6, the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation Resort joined other small businesses to celebrate the Holiday Season. Each year, the Kauai Hilton has the biggest holiday party on the island. Outrigger employees joined in the festivities with companies that included Time Warner Cable, Maui Divers, and Safari Helicopters. The evening included a buffet, games, plus The Electric Slide that brought many couples to the dance floor! Mahalo to the Kauai staff for their efforts!

Maui
The Outrigger Maui Eldorado’s Christmas party was held on Friday, December 12, at the property. Leamar

Janeth Visitacion, Mary Ann Macadangdang, Stephanie Parilla, and Ruby Balagso – Maui

Matias and Kanani Domingo decorated the hallway and the breakroom in a very festive holiday theme. The buffet table was loaded with ‘ono grinds. Mistress of Ceremonies Ruby Balagso presided over the gift exchange and the drawing for prizes, and Magie Gaoiran won the grand prize. Janeth Visitacion and Mary Ann Macadangdang showed off their vocal talents, while some of our more physically adroit individuals demonstrated their choreographic skills. And no Outrigger Maui Eldorado party would be complete without Heidi Nava and her karaoke machine!

Mahalo plenty to all mentioned above, as well as Stephanie Parilla (and her mom!) for their hard work to bring this party together. It was great to get the Outrigger Maui Eldorado ‘ohana together to celebrate the season.

Hawaii Island
On December 12, employees of the Outrigger Fairway Villas were treated to a potluck. Everyone enjoyed the

Carol Aceret and Kris Nickelsen – Hawaii Island

festive atmosphere, great prizes, and camaraderie. General Manager Kris Nickelsen thanked the staff for their hard work and enthusiasm throughout the year. A big mahalo to those who volunteered and helped with this special event!

Fiji
Fiji included their year-end awards as part of their holiday festivities at the general staff Christmas party at the Golf Range Lawn. General Manager Darren Shaw delivered a special holiday message and thanked everyone for their efforts in 2008 that resulted in achieving multiple awards, including Best Service Hotel-Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Hotel Club Awards; Best Fijian Resort Finalist (HM Awards); Service to the Community Finalist (HM Awards); Top 10 Resorts-Overseas by Holidays for Kids Magazine; and the HM Major Award South Pacific Manager.

Awards were also presented to the following individuals for excellence in 2008. Special congratulations to:

Charlotte Steele
2008 Manager of the Year

Ro Ekila Rainima
2008 Employee of the Year

Isoa Vakabua
Front-of-House Employee of the Month December 2008

Noellyn Vollmer
Back-of-House Employee of the Month December 2008

Mohammed Usman (Billy)
Manager of the Month December 2008

Aloha to the entire Outrigger family and may you all have a safe and festive Holiday Season!