NAWILIWILI — After working 11 years, Toshiko Saiki realized one of her career goals, said Jolene Ogle, the multi-site community and associate events coordinator for the Marriott.
Saiki was named Concierge of the Year at the 2009 Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Awards luncheon last Thursday at the Sheraton Waikiki on O‘ahu.
The award was one of 19 presented by the Hawai‘i Hotel and Lodging Association. Joining Saiki as a semifinalist was another Kaua‘i employee with the visitor industry, Larry Harper of the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas.
“No” is not a word in Saiki’s dictionary, states her biography in the awards program.
After being raised in Tokyo, Japan, Saiki does not let anything get in her way of taking care of guest requests.
Ogle said when a 2007 crash of a tour helicopter in Ha‘ena involved guests of the Marriott, Saiki personally reached out to one of the survivors and offered her moral support.
Since that incident, Saiki continues to send her aloha across the sea as a victim recovers in California, and Ogle said she still travels to Ha‘ena to lay flowers at the site where that guest lost her loved one.
But that is not an isolated incident for Saiki, who has been called on to communicate with the resort’s Japanese guests.
“She has befriended guests during times of crisis, helping them through hospital stays and even helping them with their hospital bills months after they have gone back to Japan,” Saiki’s nomination form reads. “She definitely become your concierge when she assists you.”
Ogle said Saiki is committed equally to her community by participating in the American Cancer Society’s annual “Relay for Life” and the UH Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i’s family registry program.
She is active with the Kapa‘a Jodo Mission where she grows and donates tropical flowers used in the mission’s alter arrangements, and is an active participant in the monthly beach cleanup at Lydgate Park, Adopt-a-Highway roadside cleanup, the Kaua‘i United Way, the Children’s Miracle Network, the Visitor’s Industry Charity Walk and the Kaua‘i Food Bank.
With the announcement, Saiki becomes the third Concierge of the Year for the Marriott that has brought home 16 awards during the 19 years Na Po‘e Pa‘Ahana Awards has been celebrated.
John Delos Reyes and Scott Gonsalves received the honor in 1999 and 2004, respectively.
Ruby Camarillo was named to second place for Concierge of the Year in 2002 and Ryden Domingsel was named to third place honors in 2003. Chad Tangalin finished second for Concierge of the Year honors in 2008.
Jenni Saguid, now with the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club, was named Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year in 1998, Cynthia Mau earned Food & Beverage Person of the Year in 1999, Ron Carpenter and Craig Matsuoka earned Engineer/Maintenance Person of the Year in 2004 and 2008, respectively.
Floyd Niau of Loss Prevention was announced as third place for Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year in 2007.
Kaupena Kinimaka finished second place in Manager of the Year honors in 2001. Kamalu Sheldon finished second for Bell Person of the Year in 2004. Ernie DeSilva took second place honors for Engineer/Maintenance Person of the Year in 2005.
Lisa Tomita and Kaipo Kealalio finished third in Recreation Person of the Year in 2004 and 2005, respectively.
