® September 22, 2012
A MESSAGE FROM RICHARD R. KELLEY TO OUR OUTRIGGER ‘OHANA
Christoph Berger Joins the Outrigger ‘Ohana
Lessons in Tourism From Karate
I am pleased to join Human Resources in announcing the appointment of Christoph Berger as General Manager of the Outrigger Phuket Beach Resort in Phuket, Thailand. As you will remember, Outrigger® announced in July that we had entered into an agreement to acquire the 254key resort in Laguna Phuket, Asia’s leading luxury integrated destination resort. Chris, who is the current hotel General Manager, is being retained and will oversee major renovations of the beachfront property, which is scheduled Christoph Berger to reopen and welcome its first guests on April 1, 2013. Chris, who hails from Germany, is well acquainted with our new hotel in Phuket having served as its General Manager since 2007 overseeing the property’s operations, financial performance and sales and marketing. He was also Executive Assistant Manager at the hotel between 2002 and 2004 before taking senior managerial roles at five-star hotels in Bangkok and Dubai. Chris’s extensive operational experience will be a major asset to Outrigger as we create a modern beach holiday experience that delivers the essence of a great Phuket holiday. The Outrigger Phuket Beach Resort will be the second Outrigger property in Laguna Phuket, joining the Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas, which we have managed since August 2009. When it reopens, the new Outrigger Phuket Beach Resort will include a spa, tennis courts, meeting and conference rooms, extensive water features and slides, a resort pool, a fully equipped gym, and a kids’ club. The resort, which is conveniently located just a 30-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, Patong Beach, and Phuket town, will be the only property in the Laguna destination resort to have a dedicated club lounge for travelers looking for additional personal service and privacy. Welcome to the Outrigger ‘ohana, Chris. We all look forward to working with you to make the Outrigger Phuket Beach Resort a great long-term success.
Last weekend, my wife Linda and I attended a karate tournament in Denver, Colorado, and, while it was colorful, fast-moving and enjoyable, I could not take my mind away from the fact that this modest event I was witnessing provided a real-life example of several major benefits of international Travel & Tourism: • International tourism creates many jobs and provides opportunities for workers at all skill levels. • International tourism is an important export that brings money back to our country to help pay for all the products and services we import. • International tourism promotes peace and understanding between people from vastly cultures located in very different parts of the world. The tournament also provided an excellent illustration of a key obstacle to our country’s more complete enjoyment of these benefits, namely that: • Current U.S. government visa policies and procedures restrict international tourism and keep it from achieving its full potential in all the areas listed above. The event we attended was the 14th World Karate Championships, presented by the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association (www. fska.com). Hawai‘iborn and raised John Bolosan, an internationally acclaimed karate champion, was Tournament Director and Host. Sensei John Bolosan
By Darren Edmonstone
By Dr. Richard Kelley
Continued on page 12 Saturday Briefing Page 1
Happy Birthday! October 3: Unaloto V. Latu, Milton T. Kami, Ricol H. Akana-Phillips, Estrelita Sagadraca, Charlene A. Luning, Glenda W. Shirley, Brian Mohammed and Vasemaca Tagataga. October 4: Clenna Seguancia, Susana P. Macadangdang, Carmelita P. Cascasan, Melvin Y. Kaneshige, Kristina K.S. Flores, Monica L. Kauhane, Tammy A. Awong, Rovelyn Cariaga, Anna Ji and Ruchira (Mon) Cousins. October 5: Diane M. Cox, Doreen M. Regohos, Kyle W. Richards, Tita Rechy and Lavinesh Naidu. October 6: Sheila C. Y. Shinn, Emilio A. Puyot Jr., Chao Hong Xu, Chi-Man Mar and Cinderella M. Cacayorin. October 7: Deelight A. Quezon, John Henry Q. Acosta, Sauiluma Fonoti, Chun Chan Liang, Robert D. Garcia, Adonis II Ronquillo, Francis Magbutay, Geoff Powell, Erica Selinger, Rahul Singh, Peerawat Jompong and Sujittra Jantawee. October 8: Yee Wan Wong, Ornina Karen, Venaisi Nawaqe, William Saukalou, Kanya Sittisak and Boonlap Prayooncharoen. October 9: Bobbie Jean Asato, Dionisia C. Dumlao, Ganapati Maheshwaran, Gina M. Mier, Jenny K. Gambsky, Rosario U. Abad, Tamara A. K. B. Montgomery, Alex Hang Sheen, Michael Mariano and Semi Muatabusuka.
Employment Opportunities If you are interested in the position listed below and meet the qualifications, you may apply online. Please go to www.Outrigger.com, click on ABOUT OUTRIGGER, then EMPLOYMENT. We only accept online applications for the open-listed positions from internal candidates. If you have any questions, please call Chad Teramae at (808) 921-6989. Application deadline for the following positions is September 28, 2012. Systems Operator (Full Time) High school diploma or equivalent required. Position requires working the graveyard overnight shift. Valid driver’s license and clean driving abstract required to travel to various properties to repair and/or install networks and computers. Excellent written and verbal communication required. Minimum one year mainframe computer systems operations, computer hardware and software maintenance experience on Macintosh and IBM personal computers within a large company required. Hotel Industry experience preferred. Must be able to read and understand technical and computer programming manuals and user documentation. Must also be able to process basic mathematical calculations when analyzing various computer projects and reports. Must be able to work on a computer keyboard and/or typewriter to process written documents and reports. Must also be able to install and maintain electronic circuitry. Must also be able to walk for various periods of time to travel to various properties to repair and/or install networks and computers. Must be able to lift, push and or pull 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/ or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 pounds with or without the aid of a dolly, hand-truck or cart. Must also be able to stoop, kneel, bend, squat and twist the body while using various hand tools such as a screwdriver in order to install and/or replace computer hardware.
Blood Drive By Kyle Richards
Saturday Briefing is published by and for employees of
Outrigger Enterprises Group (OEG)
Editor-In-Chief:
Richard Kelley
Senior Editor:
Kathy Foley
Supervising Editor: Proofing Assistant:
Contributing Writers:
Pila Hanson
Char Luning
Employees of OEG
Visit us online at: www.saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com Submissions to Kathy Foley at
[email protected], via interoffice mail to OEH/HR, or by phone at (808) 921-6957. © 2012 Outrigger Hotels Hawaii
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An Equal Opportunity Employer
With more than half of us needing blood during our lifetimes, maintaining a safe and adequate community blood supply is important to everyone. By donating blood, you’ll help ensure that it is available for all who need it, and you’ll help save up to three lives. Everyday in Hawai‘i, hundreds of patients count on volunteer blood donors for their very survival. The donation process is safe and usually takes less than an hour. There is some paperwork, a confidential interview and a mini physical, but the actual collection of blood takes only five to eight minutes. If you are interested in donating, and would like to make an appointment for the upcoming Blood Drive, please contact Kyle Richards at 921-6543 or by email at
[email protected] Thursday, October 4, 2012 9 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk® 4th Floor Meeting Room #1
Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji Community Project By Una Murray
Sitting front: Sagill Sharma, Rajesh Sharma and Kuni Kaikurukuru. Sitting back: Ravinesh Sharma, Sani Naidu, Chreshni Chaudhry, Gushan Ali and Shanil Kumar. Standing: Shynal Kumar, Venkat Rao, Pratik Kumar, Rhendhir Kumar, Monil Sharma, Ramjeet Singh, Rajnesh Kumar, Nilesh Kumar and Janandra Kumar
“Golden” Guest By Una Murray
During the Farebrother Cup rugby match, the Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji invited Fiji’s Olympian Iliesa Delana to join us to watch the Farebrother Cup win! Iliesa competed for Fiji and won gold at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in the high jump. He lost his left leg in a bus accident at age three. Delana is the first Fijian to win any medal at the Paralympics (or Olympics), and the first athlete from the South Pacific Islands to win gold. Iliesa comes from a nearby village where some of our vuvale also live.
Iliesa Delana (left) and his cousin Sitiveni Mara with Jason Zvatora (back)
On Saturday, September 15, the Finance Team took on a community project at Kulukulu Public School and spent a day painting the school’s library and washroom. Once complete, they joined the rest of the Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji vuvale (family) in cheering on the Nadroga Stallions rugby team, who successfully defended the Farebrother Cup title. The Finance Team is proud of their efforts to upgrade the facilities at the school. It is only through community efforts, like those of our Finance team, that facilities standards are raised in these rural schools. A number of our vuvale have children at Kulukulu Public School, so the project was quite meaningful. General Manager Peter Hopgood said, “It is an integral part of the culture at the resort that each month one of the departments undertakes a major community program. We all feel blessed to work in such a magnificent resort and feel beholden to give back to our community. I am very proud of our Finance Team.”
Outrigger Laguna Phuket Participates in Chemgtalay Tourism Sports Day By Patcharee Chanantho (Khun Paew)
Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas participated in the 3rd Cherngtalay Tourism Sports Day from 1-15 September 2012. The purpose of this activity is “to strengthen the relationship amongst hotels and companies in the Cherngtalay area as well as to encourage our Hosts to continue the exercise of building good team work.” Fourteen organizations participated, including hotels, police and the Cherngtalay Municipal. The competition consisted of five sports: football male, volleyball male and female, table tennis and Sepak takraw (kick volleyball) (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepak_takraw). We were thrilled to win first runner-up for table tennis and Sepak takraw.
Outrigger Laguna Phuket Sepak takraw players and supporters! Saturday Briefing Page 3
Shawn Usami Promoted! By Barry Wallace
Shawn Usami
I am pleased to join Human Resources in congratulating Shawn Usami on his promotion to Director of Revenue Management for the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. Shawn continues to report to General Manager Robert McConnell and is responsible for all aspects of optimizing revenues. Doreen Nohara, Revenue Coordinator, and Gwen Boyce, Group Coordinator, will continue to report to Shawn. Shawn has been Revenue Manager at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach since October 2010. Prior to that, he worked as the Revenue Manager at the Best Western® The Plaza and OHANA® Honolulu Airport hotels. Shawn has grown with Outrigger having worked as Guest Services Manager at the OHANA Waikiki East Hotel and Bellman at the then Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Born in Honolulu, Shawn is a graduate of Roosevelt High School. Some of the activities he enjoys in his spare time are golfing, spearfishing and eating sushi with his wife Shanna of 3½ years. He and Shanna also enjoy time together walking their Maltese, Bubba. Great job and congratulations, Shawn, on this well-deserved promotion. We are confident of your exceptional capabilities and are excited for your future with Outrigger. Saturday Briefing Page 4
Outrigger Guam Resort Happenings By Lisa Lenckowski
Welcoming South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson
Inetnon Gef Pago Cultural Dance Group, Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo and Congressman JoeWilson, Second District, South Carolina, and staff
Hosting Guam Visitors Bureau’s 25th Guam Micronesia Island Fair Press Conference
From left: Jackie Marati, Bank of Guam; Quentin Koch, United Airlines; Joanne Camacho, GM-GVB; Jon Denight, Deputy GM-GVB; Frank Guerrero, DFS Galleria; and Marie Monge, KUAM
Sponoring the 1st Annual Chocolate Festival 2012 Along with with ABCFoodGuide.com
In-House band Jesse Bias and Ruby Santos entertained the crowd during the 1st Annual Chocolate Festival
Recognizing Our Housekeepers By Barry Wallace
Last week was International Housekeepers Week, and I had the privilege of celebrating with our dedicated, hardworking Housekeepers at various properties in Waikīkī. Buffet lunches, desserts, gifts and prizes were enjoyed and lots of laughter and excitement with games like toilet paper toss, bed-making contests and lucky number drawings. I was honored to be a part of these festivities and humbled as our Housekeepers shared how grateful they are to be working for Outrigger Hotels. An essential and very important part of our business, our Housekeepers take pride in keeping our hotels clean, fresh and safe on a daily basis, striving to provide a healthy environment for our guests and staff. Not only are our Housekeepers the heart of our company, they have huge hearts as well, leaving thank you notes for our guests, sharing home grown fruits and vegetables and even offering local omiyage (gifts) upon a guest’s departure. It’s these kind and thoughtful gestures that “make” a guest’s stay a memorable experience and result in our high percentage of return guests who often request a room only if it is serviced by their favorite Housekeeper. Here are just a sampling of some of the comments shared by our guests: • Housekeeping did an excellent job each day. • Rooms were absolutely fabulous. • The cleanliness was outstanding! • The rooms are large and comfortable. Clean and very inviting… • Bathrooms are large and clean. Outrigger enjoys this week because it allows us to show our appreciation to our Housekeepers and recognize them for the hard work they do year-round. I enjoy this week because I have great fun sharing time and lunch together with our Housekeepers – they’re the best! More photos 6 - 11
Outrigger Surfers ParadiseTeam: Front: Amanda Price, Pupe Srisura and Rohini Lata. Back: Debra Winter, Tess Perez, Hulya Cicek, Emi Abrey, Charlotte Yang, Ranjanben Sidha, Bhumika Patel, Olivr Kirstenfeldt, Ploy Thonghung-Dean and Ann Parker
Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort & Spa, Noosa Team: Front: Zac Williams, Noelene Holz, Michael Suomalainen and Lea-Anne Fletcher. Back: Dennis Britt, Fiona Roma, Melissa Large, Robert Smith, Nikki Anderson and Naomi Stiller
Outrigger Twin Towns Resort Housekeeping Team enjoys a Picnic in the Park
Saturday Briefing Page 5
Recognizing Our Housekeepers Continued from page 5
Front: Rodel Juan, Dana Sato, Fritzie Ramones and Valentino Castillo. Back: Daniel Patrocinio, Eric Liu, Dr. Chuck Kelley, Michael Zampaga and Aurelio Transfiguracion
Front: Maribeth Julian-Qiocho, Epifania Taaca, Consuelo Butay and Celestina Lazo. Back: Josef Javonillo, Ester Angeles, Dr. Chuck Kelley, Eva Bumagat, Michael Valdez and Rey Orpilla
Front: Filipinas Isidro, Normalita Lorenzo, Ely Bareng and Emiliana Cadiz. Back: Jessica Su, Inocencia Baclig, Nena Corpuz, Dr. Chuck Kelley and Renato Garingo
Kiyo Kaneshiro, Imelda Guillermo, Josephine Villar, Narita Fangon, Agricola Molina and Valeriana Domingo
Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk® Housekeeping ‘Ohana
Saturday Briefing Page 6
Recognizing Our Housekeepers Continued from page 6
Connie Caraang, Conrada Corpuz, Eufemia Saoit, Jie Li Liang, Shao Fei Weng, Marities Tagala and Marivin Nastor
Julieto Boniel, Emerson Sales, Amador Manzano, Ill Son Kim and Herman Chiu
Elena Ballan, Tereza Gapuzan, Anna Lau, Herman Chiu, Nenita Nerveza and Susan Young
Sitting: Maribeth Julian-Qiocho, David Carey and Dolores Inoke Standing: Zenaida Fukutani, Erlinda Cabalar and Eddielyne Sarimento
Sitting: Estrella Antonia, Editha Rafael and Carnita Encomienda. Standing: Norma Pablo, Lydia Suniga, Dr. Chuck Kelley, Nieves Libed, Hon Chiu Ma and Marilyn Castillo
Front: Lucresia Ascino and Emelda Carmelotes. Back: Carmen Jadraque, LeeAnn Frias, Janet Yadao, Valentina Salinas and Brudillo Calape Saturday Briefing Page 7
Recognizing Our Housekeepers Continued from page 7
From Left: Donna King, Sherry Oyamot, Yoly Ingeniero, Mila Niau, Vangie Fernandez, Thomas Apilado, Nova Geronimo, Fe Esposo, Noraida Marvil, Lorna Soriano, Josie Corpuz, Erlita Soriano, Editha Udarbe, Oliver De Leon, Dado Echavez, Reynold Pascua, Orlando Ruiz and Eduardo Cadavona
From left: Josie Corpuz, Melanie Soriano, Agnes Ramiro, Eugenia Pasion, Editha Udarbe, Julia Tambio, Yoly Ingeniero, Vangie Fernandez and Jasmin Tanicala
Bed-Making Race - Team #1: Carmen Jadraque, Valentina Salinas and Emelda Carmelotes. Team #2: Janet Yadao, Lucresia Ascino and Brudillo Calape.
Bed-Making Race-Other departments: Maintenance Crew (Joshua Kahele and Raul Padillo) with Carmen Jadraque vs. Grounds Crew (Zephaniah Santiago and Shawn Bailado) with Janet Yadao. John Caravalho and LeeAnn Frias as Inspectors
Emelda Carmelotes, Brudillo Calape, Jocelyn Mallen, Rosario Transfiguracion, Rosita Arellano and LeeAnn Frias
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Recognizing Our Housekeepers Continued from page 8
John Caravalho, LeeAnn Frias, Lucresia Ascino, Emelda Carmelotes, Rosita Arellano, Rosario Transfiguracion, Jocelyn Mallen, Lydia Paguirigan and Chuck Okazaki
Front: Valentina Salinas, Lucresia Ascino, LeeAnn Frias, Janet Yadao, Emelda Carmelotes and Brudillo Calape. Back: Joshua Kahele, Zephaniah Santiago, Raul Padillo, Steven Sacay, Connie Geer, Justin Barido, Shawn Bailado, Richard Sacay, Carmen Jadraque and John Caravalho
Back: Mei Qing Tan, her son and Joyce Su Front: Xi Li Liu, Jie Zhen Li, Jing Yun Wu and Shu Wen Chen
Back: Shin Ling Vat, Joselyn Valenzuela, Clara Han, Milagros Javier, Cecilia Ferrer and Revinia Cabbab. Front: Leonila Francisco, Agripina Agyapas, Elive Amor and Cons Gampong
Yuk Doong Chee, Shao Qun Liang and Lin Heung Lo
Shao Yu Miu, Yuh Wah Kwan and Denise Torres Saturday Briefing Page 9
Recognizing Our Housekeepers Continued from page 9
Back: Shao Yu Miu, Shin Ling Vat and Yuk Doong Chee Front: Guo Xia Ye, Shao Qun Liang, Lin Heung Lo and Lai Hung Wong
Back: Chuck Shishido and Ricardo Lumaban Front: Philip Gagala, Andy Lam, Philip Wong, Jian Guo Xu and Primo Agasid
Mei Qing Tan, Joyce Su, Xi Li Liu, Jie Zhen Li and Jing Yun Wu
Xin Jiang Zhou, Guo Fang Chen, Meng Lun Li and Philip Gagala
Meng Lun Li, Philip Gagala, Dr. Chuck Kelley, Andy Lam, Philip Wong, Jian Guo Xu and Primo Agasid
Xin Jiang Zhou, Gou Feng Chen, Meng Lun Li, Philip Gagala and Andy Lam
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Recognizing Our Housekeepers Continued from page 10
Daniel Spracklen, Shanly Wu, Filomena Mercado and JayR Tesoro
Jane Chen, Carol Lopes, Leonida Lumantas and Ofelia Valdez
Front: Winie Ho, Nu Yang Wei, Gah Yeu Lee and Annie Catingub Back: Yong Lai, Zenaida Cachola, Nelia Navarro, Abella Carroll, Jane Chen, Karen Fong and Elman Pagaduan
Front: Purie Garcia, Ofelia Valdez, Mindy Nakagawa and Adelina Balmilero Back: Nora Valdez, Josie Rivera, Isaac Namdrik, Tinay Acidera and Lauren Li
Front: Estrellita Baratti, Crisfel Antonio, Leonida Lumantas and Xi Ping Xe Wu. Back: Yu Shin Ng and Su Fang Huang
Front: Judy Lin, Jenny Bao Hong, Un Ha Zheng, Nena Tran and Shao Bing Liang. Back: Xiao Li Zhu, Jin Min Gan, Yu Ling Li and Angela Wan Saturday Briefing Page 11
Lessons in Tourism From Karate Continued from page 1
Shihan Kenneth Funikoshi, Chair and Chief Instructor FSKA, with Sensei John Bolosan and Dr. Richard Kelley at 14th World Karate Championships in Denver
Mililani Team Coaches Patrick Hartnett (left) and Rick Nelson with Dr. Richard Kelley and Linda V.G. Kelley
Mililani Team Members Alan Olmos and Sean Asuncion with Dr. Richard Kelley
Mililani Team Members from the U.S.A. stand next to the Ukraine Team during opening ceremonies
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The headquarters hotel was the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Airport, an affiliate property of Outrigger Enterprises Group. Most events were held in the athletic facilities of nearby Montbello High School. Several hundred participants came from all over the world to compete. We watched the Olympic-style opening parade with participants marching in and proudly waving flags from a total of 17 countries including Argentina, Brazil, China, France, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa and United Kingdom, as well as many American states. A team from Mililani, O‘ahu, decked with lei, carried Hawai‘i’s state flag. The participants appeared clean-cut and ranged in age from pre-teens to seasoned adults. Family members accompanied many, with siblings or a parent and child participating, coaching or assisting. Sensei (rough translation: master, teacher) Bolosan told me that they could have had many more international attendees but, for reasons unknown to him, over 25 individuals from countries such as South Africa, Poland, the Czech Republic and Kyrgyzstan had their applications for U.S. visas either delayed or denied by the U.S. State Department. This caused several teams to cancel their participation and decreased total attendance by at least 100 individuals. None of the international participants or coaches looked like a terrorism threat or a potential illegal immigrant to my eyes. The challenge of obtaining visas for international travel is a major issue that I have addressed a number of times in this space over the years. Applying for a visa to travel to the United States is time-consuming, difficult, bureaucratic, expensive and, often, demeaning. The number of U.S. consulates authorized to process visa applications is far too few, many are understaffed and, even in the era of the Internet and excellent videoconferencing, applicants must often travel hundreds of miles for personal interviews before a U.S. visa application is processed. For leisure, educational and business travelers alike, this is very discouraging and I am certain that, as a result, the U.S. loses billions of dollars of potential export revenue and opportunities for the creation of thousands of jobs. The 14th World Karate Championship is just one small example of thousands of international events that take place or could take place in the U.S. annually and expand in scope and numbers of attendees if these visa issues were addressed. Events like this represent a vast market that is currently being significantly underserved. Difficulties with visas processing is not just a U.S. issue. As political tensions are rising in many areas of the world, obtaining a leisure travel or business visa to visit other countries has too often become a problem as well. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) recently established a task force to evaluate this issue, measure its impact and suggest a set of “best practice” guidelines. I am serving on that task force. In the meantime, congratulations to Sensei Bolosan and his dedicated team of volunteers for the completion of a very successful edition of the World Karate Championships. The staff at the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Airport looks forward to your return soon!
