PO‘IPU — Moani Tolentino, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort &Spa manager of Hawaiian culture, and her chanters broke the Friday morning with oli welcoming the new General Manager, Michael Murphy, and his family to the Po‘ipu resort.
Murphy and his family, including wife Lety, son Connor, daughter Millie and Dory their mini goldendoodle, were welcomed with oli in accordance with Hawaiian protocol of first asking for permission, welcome and mahalo to the ancestors whose efforts enable today’s enjoyment.
“Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i bids aloha ‘oe to Dan King, the retiring general manager, who guided the resort for nearly six years as the resort welcomes its new leader, Michael Murphy,” said Diann Hartman of the Hyatt. “King’s caring nature was evident in his leadership style, and proved very welcome during the COVID travel restrictions and the challenges.”
Murphy, a 24-year Hyatt veteran, has led teams from Washington to Nevada and California to Texas. He will be packing up following record snow at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe as he returns to the islands, having done a stint at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa from 201o to 2014.
Resort guests smiled their approval as colleagues of the Hyatt poured their aloha via gifts of lei, gifts, and an ample supply of pets for Dory.
“I am excited and beyond honored to join the team at Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i, and my wife and I are ecstatic to return to the Aloha State,” said Murphy, who celebrated his first few days on Kaua‘i by participating in the Special Olympics track and field games sponsored by the Hyatt.
Murphy’s other passions are health and fitness, and he is looking forward to adding beach runs and swims to his 4:30 a.m. workouts, as well as exploring the Garden Island on family hikes.
“This is the pono way,” Hartman said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
