Stella Burgess recognized for helping to perpetuate island’s host culture

LIHU‘E — Stella Burgess, manager of Hawaiian culture for the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa, was recently recognized for her immense contributions to perpetuate the Native Hawaiian culture, states a Hyatt press release. She was honored at the Celebration of the Arts in April with the Namahana award of excellence for exhibiting her love for all things Hawaiian. In May she was commended by the YWCA of Kaua‘i with Na Wahine Alaka‘i O Kaua‘i award in recognition of her outstanding leadership and contributions towards improving life on Kaua‘i. She has also been nominated by the resort for the Hawai‘i Hotel and Lodging Association’s Lodging Employee of the Year. In her role at the resort and within the community at large, Burgess helps employees, visitors and residents to understand native cultural values while, at the same time, organizing unique and meaningful events and activities that further interpret the culture, the release states. Some of her accomplishments include the Prince Kuhio Festival, which began as a one-day celebration of this beloved prince and has grown into a week-long celebration with hands-on activities where attendees can learn cultural practices as varied as how the Hawaiians made and collected salt to how to play the ‘ukulele or make lei. She also began the Hawaiiana Festival which the resort hosts each fall where Native Hawaiian crafters share their mana‘o (knowledge) on traditional Hawaiian music instruments, healing practices, weapons, quilt-making, weaving, and much more. These festivals provide an opportunity for residents and visitors to interact and learn more about the Native Hawaiian culture, leading to a broader regard. “Stella’s significant contributions have expanded our employees’ knowledge of local history and lore as well as enriching the visitor experience on Kaua‘i,” stated Doug Sears, general manager.  Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa, a luxury resort overlooking Po‘ipu’s Keoneloa Bay, offers 602 guest rooms, each with its own lanai. See grandhyattkauai.com or call toll-free 1-800-55-HYATT (1-800-554-9288).