Saturday Briefing

By Marianne Thesken — Each year, The Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association’s Kauai (HHLA) Chapter takes time to honor “the best of the best” in the hospitality industry. This award provides lodging properties on Kauai an opportunity to honor their employees who provide exceptional service.

This year, the Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association’s Kauai Chapter held the 12th Annual Malama Awards –To Spend an Evening With Royalty — at the Grand Hyatt Kauai on March 26. The Outrigger Condominium Collection was a big winner, with seven members of its ‘ohana being recognized.

Steve Yannarell, President of the Hawai‘i Hotel & Lodging Association, Kaua‘i Chapter, said it was appropriate that the ceremony fell on the on a day Kauai pauses to pay respect to Prince Jonah Kuhio. HHLA’s Sandi Kato-Kluke said, “The awards have no first or second place. Each of the honorees is acknowledged for the work they contribute to the visitor industry.”

The evening was filled with great camaraderie, onolicious food, and wonderful entertainment. Each co-winner received a crystal award in recognition of their achievements.
Congratulations to:

Guadalupe “Fe” Esposo, Housekeeping Supervisor
Supervisor – Manager of the Year
Fe currently works at the Outrigger Kiahuana Plantation and has valuable organizational and multi-tasking skills that bring positive results. She has an amazing knowledge of each individual unit in her section and completely understands the preferences of each homeowner. Fe works independently and effectively trains new employees.

Julia Tambio, Housekeeping Unit Cleaner
Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year
Julia currently works at the Outrigger Kiahuana Plantation, where she is a gracious hostess and takes pride in presenting flawlessly clean accommodations for our guests. She is very conscious of protecting Kauai by participating in our recycling program and using cleaning chemicals wisely. Julia is warm and generous to her coworkers, guests, and community — she is our “Lady of Aloha.”

Gino Jarquio, Lead Houseman
Housekeeper of the Year
Gino currently works at the Outrigger Kiahuana Plantation and possesses a tremendous amount of energy and has the skills needed to focus that energy into achieving positive results. The work he accomplishes is on time and accurate. Gino is able to handle difficult tasks with a positive attitude.

Joletta DeCosta-Mararagan, Resort Accountant
Administrator/Accountant of the Year
Joletta currently works at the Outrigger Kiahuana Plantation and has been instrumental in implementing new policies for the homeowner’s association. Her organizational skills and efficiency have helped keep receivables under control. Joletta acts professionally, yet sympathetically, and handles all interactions with Aloha.

Jerry Briones, Security Officer
Security Officer of the Year
Jerry, who currently works at the Outrigger Kiahuana Plantation, works the night shift and never misses a day. He writes thorough reports and addresses important safety and maintenance needs to management. Jerry works hard but always maintains a positive and professional attitude.

Alvin Pinolar, Lead Houseman
Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year
Alvin currently works at the Outrigger at Lae Nani and is “Mr. Can Do,” as no task goes undone when assigned to him. He operates beyond his job description and is willing to help in any way, wherever he is needed — be it Housekeeping, Maintenance, and Security — and he even cooks whenever we have employee gatherings.

Mark Godoy, Rooms Clerk
Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year
Mark currently works at the Outrigger Waipouli Beach Resort and Spa and can always be found handling self-initiated projects around the resort. In the course of his day, he wears multiple hats, as he supports the unit cleaners, substitutes as a Bellman when the need arises, functions as a Maintenance man when one is not handy, and assists as a Concierge when queried by guests. And he does all of this with a gentle smile and steadfast Aloha.

Congratulations, Fe, Julia, Gino, Joletta, Jerry, Alvin, and Mark! You truly exemplify Outrigger’s values and are well deserving of this recognition.