By Dr. Richard Kelley This Wednesday, I, along with my wife Linda and several other members of my family, were pleased to join many of our ‘ohana at a luncheon in honor LiLi Hallett. LiLi will be leaving Outrigger early next month after an exceptional 20-plus-year career. LiLi said that while she is sad to be leaving the Outrigger ‘ohana, she is excited to be embarking on a new career path, starting with a rigorous eight-week training course at the International Butler Academy in the Netherlands.

Accordingly, we surprised LiLi with “Jeeves,” dressed in tuxedo and white gloves, ready to be her personal butler for the afternoon! A delicious Chinese luncheon buffet, complete with roast suckling pig, followed. The Wa Nagi troupe performed an exciting lion dance. The kumu or master of the troupe is Wilkin Choy, who had just joined Outrigger on Monday! There were many special tributes by a host of friends and colleagues. All in all, it was a wonderful event.

I had the pleasure of highlighting LiLi’s career and wishing her well as she embarks on her new career. Following is an excerpt of what I said.

It’s hard to imagine Outrigger without LiLi. She has been a key member of our ‘ohana for so long. She joined Outrigger on October 8, 1988; her first job was as a Front Desk Secretary, working for Mildred Courtney.

Only a little over half a year later, in May 1989, LiLi began her extraordinary career in the Human Resources department (HR). Starting as an Employee Relations Assistant, it wasn’t long before she began her climb up the ladder. Known as a perpetual learner, LiLi takes on new challenges with compassion, superb judgment and genuine concern for people. She has served as a Benefits Specialist, Benefits Administrator, HR Division Director, Waikiki Group, and since November 2006, as the Corporate Director, HR Business Partner.

The Employee Relations (ER) function at Outrigger is all about helping individual employees, managers, and the company find solutions to complex situations — not all of them easy, some very emotional. Because each ER situation involves a human being, the job comes with great responsibility, which LiLi has always embraced with passion, caring, and the utmost professionalism.

LiLi is a proven master in many areas. Here are just a few of her accomplishments:

• LiLi handled all the ER issues connected with the birth of OHANA in 2000 and was part of the team that created market awareness for OHANA, resulting in a smooth debut for the new brand.
• LiLi also served as the Condo Division’s main HR representative, and her contribution there has been immeasurable.
• As we began the massive Waikiki Beach Walk®redevelopment in 2003, LiLi served as the lead HR professional, handling its numerous people issues. Closing hotels to start construction required major changes. LiLi worked with the Human Resources Service Center to develop and implement a highly successful one-time voluntary Early Retirement Program. She also orchestrated the monumental task of helping the remaining employees transfer to other properties. With care for every affected employee, creativity and formidable energy, LiLi got it all done and kept morale high.
• LiLi has also served as the lead HR professional whenever Outrigger has assumed a management contract or exited a property. LiLi spends hours meeting one-on-one with employees to discuss their needs and concerns. She always takes the time to care for each person as an individual, which often means speaking to employees, and even their families, extended families, and friends, on all shifts — days, nights, and weekends.

LiLi earned the President’s Award in 2000, and the prestigious Po‘okela Award for either Exceptional Leadership as an Individual or in the Leadership of Ke ‘Ano Wa‘a for 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007.

Born in Taiwan, LiLi speaks fluent Chinese, so she was called on to translate Saturday Briefing into Chinese and often interpreted for other employees.

LiLi has an uncanny ability to apply her excellent business judgment to complex situations and get right to the heart of the matter quickly. Those who have worked with LiLi have come to admire her character and the way she works:

• Integrity: LiLi works through any issue with common sense, compassion, uncompromising fairness, passion, and the ability to establish trust. She is patient with everyone who comes to her for assistance.
• Caring and Respect: LiLi is sought after by employees whenever they have problems, and by managers and executives who value her counsel about sensitive issues. She treats everyone as an individual, is a strong advocate for employees, and seeks solutions that offer dignity and respect to everyone involved. Caring is the byword in everything LiLi does.
• Excellent communication: LiLi knows that it is important not only to carry out, but to explain decisions. She helps employees feel heard, is always accessible, and follows up as much as necessary to ensure appropriate closure.

Although she knew little English when she arrived in Hawaii 30 years ago, LiLi overcame that obstacle and went on to earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from the University of Hawaii. She has two children, daughter Victoria, who works at a global energy company in Honolulu, and son Kekoa, who will start at Santa Monica Community College this fall.

LiLi’s love for Outrigger and for our ‘ohana is immeasurable. Her commitment and personal contributions have been exemplary, and I can confidently say that LiLi has made a great contribution to Outrigger’s success.

LiLi, on behalf of the entire Kelley family and your Outrigger ‘ohana, we extend our sincere gratitude to you for your unwavering loyalty to the company and our employees. You will always be part of Outrigger.

We wish you Godspeed as you pursue your coursework in the Netherlands and enter the next phase of your career. Mahalo nui loa, much love, and every good wish for good health, prosperity, excitement, and growth in your new adventures, and many more blessings.