• Koloa Rum wins Gold Medal • MPI Aloha Chapter celebrates Kukahi Koloa Rum wins Gold Medal Koloa Rum Company of Kaua‘i was recently awarded a Gold Medal for its Kaua‘i Dark Rum in the Rum Renaissance Festival held in Miami,
• Koloa Rum wins Gold Medal • MPI Aloha Chapter celebrates Kukahi
Koloa Rum wins Gold Medal
Koloa Rum Company of Kaua‘i was recently awarded a Gold Medal for its Kaua‘i Dark Rum in the Rum Renaissance Festival held in Miami, Fla. earlier this month. The medal came in the Dark Rum category of the competition, in which some 100 rums from around the world competed.
The Rum Renaissance Festival is the largest cane-spirits event in the Western Hemisphere, according to a press release. A panel of international rum experts gathered over a period of two days to conduct blind tastings and rigorous evaluations of rum in eight major categories and included notable masters of rum, authors, mixologists, collectors, journalists, consultants, lecturers and cane-spirits ambassadors from around the world. More than 1,900 people attended, states the release, with all having the opportunity to experience rums from around the globe and enjoy public and VIP tastings.
Koloa Rum Company also celebrates having been included in the American Artisan Rums booth at the Rum Renaissance, where it joined a select group of premium U.S. craft rum distilleries, reflecting the exploding growth of craft and artisan spirits in the United States.
Koloa Rum Company has also announced that Johnson Brothers of Hawai‘i has been selected as its exclusive distributor for its rum and related products in Hawai‘i. With headquarters in St. Paul, Minn., Johnson Brothers Liquor Company distributes a wide range of wines and spirits in 12 states and has 31 offices throughout the United States, from Rhode Island to Hawai‘i.
In addition, the company reports that Greg Schredder has resigned to actively pursue other business interests, and that Robert Weist, John Stein, Rita Gregory, Christopher Wolf and Michael Bacco have been elected to the company’s board of directors, with Weist serving as chairman and Stein as corporate secretary.
Visit www.koloarum.com for more information.
MPI Aloha Chapter celebrates Kukahi
The Aloha Chapter of Meeting Professionals International held its 3rd Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on O‘ahu. This event commemorated the achievements of the Aloha Chapter and its members over the past year.
Kukahi — “Stand in Unity,” was the theme of this year’s gala.
The evening’s festivities included a tribute to Tokujo, the consummate host of Hawai‘i who has bridged a strong relationship between the entertainment and travel industry, according to a press release.
Tokujo is a 49-year veteran of Hawai‘i’s on-going hotel, restaurant and entertainment legacy with production accomplishments that include ‘Ulalena at the Maui Theatre, Magic of Polynesia and Paradise Cove Lu‘au.
Special chapter awards were presented to members for their involvement with the MPI Aloha Chapter during 2009 to 2010. The Rising Star Award went to Andre Mata‘afa Alferos, director of sales and product development — Special Events Department, Germaine’s Lu‘au, who served on the MPI Aloha Chapter Gala Committee. Roxann Hendrickson, vice president of Hawai‘i Meeting Builders, was the recipient of the Supplier of the Year award. Hendrickson also serves as director of publications on the MPI Aloha Chapter Board. Planner of the Year was awarded to Sherrie Hill, Hawai‘i Credit Union League, who also served on the MPI Aloha Chapter Gala Committee. Theresa Tilley, current MPI Aloha Chapter director, community outreach, received the President’s Award.
New this year was an award for Support Person of the Year which was presented to Coronado Aquino in recognition of his 46 years of diligence and hard work at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort. Although not an MPI member, Aquino has been instrumental within the tourism community and has served customers with aloha, a news release states.
A silent auction during the evening raised $13,000 to benefit MPI Aloha Chapter’s on-going efforts — progressive educational opportunities for members, outreach to community organizations and support of travel-industry management schools.
Visit mpi-alohachapter.com for more information.
