HONOLULU — Hawaii’s tourism industry came together Thursday to honor the best and brightest employees in a variety of categories.
Nearly 1,000 hotel employees, their family members, and other industry stakeholders gathered for The Hawai’i Lodging &Tourism Association’s 30th annual Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Awards.
The annual awards ceremony, which name translates literally as “the hard-working people” was held in the Coral Ballroom at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
“Each year, we come together for the Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana Awards to honor the finest and hardest-working employees in Hawai’i’s hotel and lodging industry,” said Mufi Hannemann, HLTA president and CEO. “It is our honor to be able to recognize these outstanding men and women for their efforts and accomplishments. These individuals are the backbone of our industry, and their impeccable service and embodiment of the aloha spirit is what truly sets Hawaii apart as a premiere destination. I am truly grateful for their contributions to our industry.”
Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana awardees are selected based on nominations submitted by their supervisors and co-workers which are then judged on the basis of outstanding and exceptional service to lodging guests, co-workers, and the community.
This year’s Na Po‘e Pa‘ahana award winners and runners-up from Kauai are as follows:
Excellence in Community Service Award
Sheraton Kauai
The Sheraton Kauai, along with its General Manager Chip Bahouth, was recognized for its Table 53 initiative which allocates all funds raised at Table 53 in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant to local charities at the end of each month. Since its inception in 2012, multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars have been donated to local groups.
Engineering/Maintenance Person of the Year
Medium Property (200-450 rooms)
1st Place — Lee Ridley, Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club
Small Property (under 200 rooms)
2nd Place — Rodolfo Dela Cruz, Pono Kai Resort
3rd Place — Jason Kamai-Santos, Lawai Beach Resort
Front Office Person of the Year
Small Property (under 200 rooms)
2nd Place — Janine Pagador, Lawai Beach Resort
Housekeeping Person of the Year
Small Property (under 200 rooms)
1st Place — Laurie Manatay, Aston Islander on the Beach
3rd Place — Geraldine Baniaga, Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons — Kalanipu’u
Security Officer
of the Year
Medium Property (200-450 rooms)
3rd Place — Alex Napa‘a, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas
Small Property (under 200 rooms)
1st Place — Joseph Pascua, Lawai Beach Resort
