3.9 MB PDF - Saturday Briefing

September 6, 2008
Writers Take Oahu by Storm
By Nancy Daniels
For 15 years, thousands of writers—published, unpublished, agented,
unagented—have gathered at the Maui Writers Conference (MWC) on
Maui, as the name suggests, to find the writing muse, mingle with other
writers, and learn the best way to see their name in print. This year, the
MWC was “On the Road” with a new location—Waikiki, Oahu, and a
new hospitality sponsor—Outrigger Enterprises Group.
Hurricane Season
is Far from Over
Watching the media coverage as Hurricane
Gustav approached and hit the Louisiana coast
this week, I was reminded that September 11
will be the sixteenth anniversary of Hurricane
Iniki in Hawaii, and December 8 will be the
sixth anniversary of Typhoon Pongsona in
Guam. Both of these storms did significant
damage to properties operated by our company.
Accordingly, for the next three months, as we
pass through the peak of the hurricane/typhoon
season in the northern hemisphere, everyone at
all of our properties across the Pacific should be
prepared to deal with a major storm.
Continued on page 8
Maui Writers Conference Director Shannon Tullius, David Carey, Australia’s famed author
Bryce Courtenay, and Maui Writers Conference Director John Tullius
From August 22 through August 28, a dedicated group of writers
gathered at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Embassy Suites® Waikiki Beach Walk® for six intense and inspiring days learning the art
and craft of writing. In intimate, hands-on groups, participants learned
how to shape and present a saleable manuscript or screenplay, being
mentored by some of today’s most successful authors and screenwriters.
The larger conference followed on August 29 through September 1, with
nearly a thousand delegates gathering at the Ala Moana Hotel for four
days of presentations, workshops, and seminars by a faculty of bestselling
novelists, screenwriters, agents, and editors.
A special treat for conference delegates, as well as Hawaii residents and
visitors, was the free, first-time world showing of the new Hollywood film
“The Kings of Appletown” at a special Maui Writers Conference Sunset
on the Beach presentation on Saturday, August 30. This family movie
was inspired by the novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, written by Mark
Continued on page 10
Water rushes down the basement steps of the
Outrigger Reef on the Beach during Hurricane Iniki
Saturday Briefing
Page Doodlebops Live!
Happy Birthday!
They’re fun, they’re colorful
and they rock pretty good,
too. Straight from their hit TV
show, Deedee, Rooney, and
Moe Doodle are heading to
Hawaii for a weekend of live
performances September 26-29.
OHANA Hotels & Resorts
is the hotel sponsor for this
Hawaii appearance, which
means all Outrigger and OHANA employees will receive a $3 discount off select
ticket prices when purchasing tickets at the Blaisdell Box Office. Employees
must present their company ID at time of purchase, and the discount applies to
all performances at the $14, $20, and $30 price levels.
“The Doodlebops” is a musical comedy series for children that can be
seen on the Disney Channel. The show features three fun-loving band mates
who live out their lives as a kids’ rock and roll band. The show was originally
developed to engage kids through real music inspired by legendary artists, while
imparting positive social values and messages. With zany antics and overwhelming
enthusiasm, this colorful and creative group entertains young fans with their
unique mixture of
music, dance, and
comedy, while focusing
on pro-social themes
in a way that their
preschooler audiences
can relate to.
The candy-colored
trio is currently on a
70-plus city North
American live concert
tour produced by Feld
Entertainment, Inc.,
and we’re delighted to
have them here in the
islands. “This talented
trio sizzles when they
take the stage, which
is why they are the
hottest new band for young children,” says Producer Kenneth Feld. “Families and
children across the United States will love the opportunity to experience them
live.”
Tickets are currently on sale, with concert dates as follows: Friday, September
26 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, September 27 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.; Sunday,
September 28 at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.; and Monday, September 29,
at 7 p.m. Tickets for this family show are priced at $55 for the first row, with
other seats at $40, $30, $20, and $14. Don’t forget, Outrigger and OHANA
employees receive a $3 discount off the $14, $20, and $30 price levels when
showing their company ID at time of purchase at the Blaisdell Box Office.
Applicable service charges apply.
Doodlebops Live! is great family entertainment and audiences—whether
pint-sized fans or accompanying adults—are sure to be hoppin’ and boppin’ out
of their seats throughout the show!
Sept 23: Dean H. Fujimoto, Sherry Ann
Oyamot, Dong Ting Huang, Treddis E.
Russell, and Mady G. Agcamaran.
By Nancy Daniels
Saturday Briefing
Page Sept 24: Marisa A. Sakamoto, Han Qin
Wang, Kalei Ohia, Teresita L. Bugal,
Lester S. Aimoto, Barbara Awa, Tagumpay
B. Garcia, Princesa G. Mello, Benny
Laguatan, and Richard F. Armington.
Sept 25: Lynda Marzan, Marvin T.
Shin, Sandy I. Ni’ihau, Walter Tolentino,
Angelita R. Ganitano, Lynelle R. Akana,
Patrick A. Davis, Yoshimi Fukumura,
Aurelio R. Transfiguracion, Gui Fen Li,
and Augustine P. Kimitete.
Sept 26: Marlene M. Gonzaga, Gasat F.
Afan, Christie M. Richardson, Jacklinn
K.S. Kalani, and Nilo D. Madarang.
Sept 27: Peter Finnegan, Maria L.C.
Almogela, and Constantino L. Espejo.
Sept 28: Carlina Domingsil, Sigfredo C.
Raquinio, Shun Xing Huang, Dennis T.
Nakachi, and Hui Hua Yu Huang.
Sept 29: David N. Hasegawa, Bill D.
Peters, Sosima D. Cajudoy, Wing Keung
Chan, Michael A. Yoshida, and Kevin
Kamakaiwi, Sr.
Saturday Briefing is published
by and for the employees
of Outrigger Enterprises Group.
Editor-In-Chief: Richard Kelley
Senior Editor: Marie Casciato
Assistant Editor: Lehua Kala`i
Contributing Writers: Employees of
Outrigger Enterprises Group
Visit us online at:
www.outrigger.com/sb
or
www.ohanahotels.com/sb
Submit suggestions, comments,
and news tidbits to
Marie Casciato at
marie.casciato@outrigger.com
or via interoffice mail to
OEH/Executive Office,
or contact her at (808) 921-6601.
© 2008 Outrigger Hotels Hawaii
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Employment
Opportunity
If you are interested in the position listed
below and meet the qualifications, please
submit an in-house application obtained
from your Supervisor or Human Resources.
If you have any questions, please call Eric
Ishikawa at (808) 921-6989. Application
deadline for the following position is
September 12, 2008.
Construction Projects Manager
(Full Time)
Will be responsible for providing on-site
construction and project management
support for capital improvements in the
hospitality field. Must be able to manage
all aspects of small and large renovation
projects, from budget concept to project
completion. A bachelor’s degree in
Engineering, Construction Management,
or a minimum of five years experience
supervising/managing hospitality-related
engineering and renovations required.
Political
Fundraisers
By Lehua Kala‘i
If you are interested in obtaining
information regarding Hawaii politics, please
call the OHH PAC Hotline at 921-6660 and
leave a message on the recorder.
Aloha Festivals Celebrated at
Outrigger Beachfront Hotels
in Waikiki
By Luana Maitland
Hawaii’s hula is a beautiful art—it is a personal art, it is an art of depth
and perception. In the hula, nothing happens visually that does not occur
emotionally. “Hula: The Art Of Hawaiian Dance” is this year’s Aloha
Festivals 2008 theme.
Please join us at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach on Friday, September
12, at 11 a.m. for the KCCN live radio broadcast of the Aloha Friday
Luncheon in the Shore Bird Restaurant. Making an appearance will be the
Aloha Festivals Royal Court, and there will be great Hawaiian music by Jeff
Rasmussen and Amy Hanaialii Gilliom. While there, enjoy ono local-style
food. The Aloha Friday Luncheon is as much for residents as it is for our
visiting guests. Reservations required, call 922-2887.
On Saturday, September 13, at 1 p.m. Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Hulu Hiwa
Hālau will perform for us at the Keiki Hula show in the lobby. Let our keiki
share their interpretation of Hula with you. On Sunday, September 14, at 2 p.m.,
join us at the Shore Bird Restaurant for the 2nd Annual Steel Guitar Sunday
event, featuring master guitarist Greg Sardinha, Bobby Ingano, and Alan
Akaka. Steel guitarists are welcome to bring their instruments and join the
jam session.
At the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, a special hula session for guests
and residents will be held on Friday, September 12, at 10 a.m. Hula will
be taught to all those who wish to learn to the song “Aloha Week Hula.”
Complete your day at the Aloha Festivals Waikiki Ho‘olaule‘a. The largest
block party in the state kicks off at 6:30 p.m., with the arrival of the Royal
Court. Enjoy Outrigger’s stage fronting the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach.
Entertainment starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. (See Aloha Festivals 2008
Live On Outrigger Stage on page seven for the complete line-up of performers
and performance times.)
Thursday, September 11
Representative Bob Nakasone
District 9 – Puunene, Spreckelsville,
Paia, Lower Paia,
a portion of Kahului, and Wailuku
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Maui Tropical Plantation (Waikapa, Maui)
Wednesday, September 17
Representative K. Mark Takai
District 34 – Newtown, Waiau,
a portion of Pearl City, Waimalu,
and Pearl City Peninsula
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Waimalu Elementary School Cafeteria
98-825 Moanalua Road
Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Hulu Hiwa Hālau
Saturday Briefing
Page Another Memorable Duke’s OceanFest Concludes
By Luana Maitland
The 7th Annual Duke’s OceanFest wrapped up another highly
successful year and raised record amounts for Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku
Foundation’s college scholarship and athletic grants program. It was a full
week of surf competitions, autograph sessions, photo shoots, mile swimming,
waterman challenges, paddle boarding, tandem surfing, canoe racing,
volleyball, and polo tournaments – all in honor of Duke Kahanamoku.
A few of the most memorable moments took place at the AccesSurf
Challenge. This was the first challenged athlete division of surfing, where
athletes overcoming muscular dystrophy, quadriplegia, paraplegia, and
amputation demonstrated their surfing abilities and competed for trophies.
The Legends Surf Classic joined surfing legends with a team of
amateurs in surfing competition at Queen’s Beach. Joining surf legend
Ben Aipa on the Outrigger Waikiki sponsored team was Dr. Chuck Kelley,
who scored extra style points with a beautifully-executed headstand, nose
riding, and other tricks. The team posted great scores among the tough
Continued on page 5
Beachboy Kenny McOmer, Roxy Pro Surfer Lindsey Bowman, Matthew
Sproat, Roxy Pro Surfer Jennifer Smith, and Jennifer Cabasag paddled an
outrigger canoe offshore and spread flowers in honor of Duke
Ethan Chang and Halau Ka Pa Hula Manu leading the
lei procession from the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
statue of Duke Kahanamoku
Joanna Demeo, Beachboy Gary “Gabby” Makalena, and Luana Maitland
celebrating after the Legends Surf Classic at Duke’s Restaurant
Kuha‘o Zane,
Legend LJ Richards, Catharine Lo,
Joanna Demeo, and
Yushing Ting
represented the
Outrigger Reef on the Beach
at the Legends Surf Classic
Saturday Briefing
Page Another Memorable Duke’s OceanFest Concludes
Continued from page 4
field of competitors. The Outrigger Reef team was led
by legend L.J. Richards, with Joanna Demeo among
the competitors.
The scattering of flowers at sea (fronting the
Outrigger Reef ) could not have been more touching.
The inner tranquility that Duke was known for was
surely with us that morning, as beachboy Kenny
McOmer, Roxy pro surfers Jennifer Smith and
Lindsey Bowman, guest Dalaura, Jennifer Cabasag,
and Matthew Sproat all paddled an outrigger canoe
offshore and spread flowers in his honor.
The festivities ended with the lei draping ceremony
held at Duke’s statue on Sunday, August 24. Mahalo to
Ethan Chang, the Outrigger Waikiki staff, the kupuna
from Halau Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Hulu Hiwa and
Halau Ka Pa Hula Manu for the making of lei and their
participation in the ceremony. Another big mahalo
to the lei presenters representing the Kamehameha
Schools, Lanikai Canoe Club, Hawaiian Civic
Club of Honolulu, Outrigger Canoe Club, Hilton
Hawaiian Village, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs,
and the Cadets from the National Guard Challenge
Academy for transporting the lei from Outrigger
Waikiki to Duke’s statue.
Dr. Chuck Kelley scoring some extra style points at the Legends Surf Classic
Dr. Chuck Kelley, Paul Drewes, Legend Ben Aipa, Hugh O`Reilly, and Sig Zane represented the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach in the Legends Surf Classic
Saturday Briefing
Page The Outrigger Bula Spirit Carnival
By Una Murray
The Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji held a special
one-day carnival to raise funds for several local community
projects. Six charity “Queens” from various divisions in
the hotel competed for the titles of Miss Charity and Miss
Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji.
Representing the various departments were:
Miss Semaema Nasedra
Kitchen and Bebe Spa
Miss Kirty Chand
Engineering, Grounds, HR, and Executives
General Manager Darren Shaw thanked everyone at the
property for participating in this event and for their generous
giving in these difficult financial times. He then had the
honor of crowning the two winners. Congratulations to
Miss Kirty Chand - Engineering/Grounds, HR/Executives,
who was named Miss Charity for collecting $2128.00FJD
and Miss Semaema Nasedra - Kitchen & Bebe Spa, who
was named Miss Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji 2008. Miss
Outrigger will represent the property at the Coral Coast
Carnival in October.
Miss Salote Moceiwaiyevo
Food & Beverage
Miss Kelera Ganilau
Finance, Front Office, and Security
Miss Moreen Manjita
Sales Division
Miss Vatelini Natadra
Housekeeping and Laundry
These outstanding employees, who worked tirelessly on
their own time, raised a total of $8,975FJD. These funds will
be used to help local underprivileged children, and for the
construction of new classrooms for the community’s special
school, and a new bus stand at Conua District School.
Miss Semaema Nasedra, Miss Kirty Chand, Miss Salote Moceiwaiyevo,
Miss Kelera Ganilau, Miss Moreen Manjita, and Miss Vatelini Natadra
Red Mango Now Open
By Conchita Malaqui
A new frozen treat is now
available at Waikiki Beach Walk,
with the opening last week of Red
Mango frozen yogurt. The store
is located in the space originally
occupied by Beard Papa’s.
Frozen yogurt – in vogue during
the 1980s and early 90s – is back
with a vengeance, and Red Mango
is credited as the pioneer of the new
tart variety of nonfat frozen yogurt
that’s sweeping the nation. Red Mango offers its authentic
frozen yogurt in two delicious flavors: Original (which tastes
like real yogurt) and Green Tea (which is made with natural
matcha green tea). Customers can enjoy their Red Mango
frozen yogurt with wholesome and exciting toppings such as
fresh fruit, nuts, granola, and cereal.
Why is it called Red Mango? According to owner Alex
Choi, the mango is a nutritious, flavorful, and succulent fruit
that changes in color from green to red to yellow, as it ripens.
Saturday Briefing
Page Red is often the color of the mango immediately before it has
reached its ripest state, reflecting Red Mango’s commitment to
offering irresistibly delicious foods, and the company’s passion
for continuous improvement towards good health.
The store is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Red Mango owners Dan Kim and Alex Choi with Barbara Campbell
Aloha Festivals 2008
Live on the Outrigger Stage
By Kathy Hansberry
The 61st annual Aloha
Festivals is celebrating
“Hula, the Art of Hawaiian
Dance.” This celebration
would not be complete
without the popular
Aloha Festivals Waikiki
Ho‘olaule‘a, the largest
annual block party, with
five stages of entertainment
starting at 7 p.m. and
finishing at 10 p.m. on
Friday, September 12. Thousands will take to the streets
along Kalakaua Avenue for food, fun, and entertainment.
Once again, Outrigger is proud to sponsor an
entertainment stage in front of the Outrigger Waikiki on
the Beach. This year’s entertainment line-up will open with
performances by Ka Liko ‘O Kapalai Hula Hālau starting at
7 p.m., followed by Ka Pa Hula ‘O Ka Lei Hulu Hiwa Hālau
at 7:40 p.m. Ukulele female virtuoso Taimane Gardner will
delight the crowd at 8:20 p.m., and closing the evening will
be the talented group Nā Pualei ‘O Likolehua, who will take
the stage at 9:15 p.m.
Ka Liko ‘O Kapalai Hula Hālau (7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.),
led by Kumu Hula Ainsley Halemanu, veteran entertainer,
musician, composer, and mentor, has been in existence for
over 15 years, performing at major hotels and abroad. This
group’s popularity has branched out and now has an extended
hālau in Osaka, Japan, under the same name taught by
Teacher/Sensei Kauali‘i and Kalani Kono. Upon their first
competition entry into Japan Airlines Ho‘olauna Hula Aloha,
they won first place and overall in the ladies group division.
Ka Liko ‘O Kapalai Hula Hālau performs every Wednesdays
at Kuhio Beach from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Hulu Hiwa Hālau (7:40 p.m.
- 8:10 p.m.), which means the lei of our cherished and
esteemed children, is a keiki hālau from Kailua, Oahu,
who has been performing for the past eight years. Keiki
(children) ages from 8 - 14 years old perform under the
direction of Kumu Hula Jack McKeague Jr., whose legacy
reaches back through Pamai Tenn, alaka‘i to legendary
Hula Master Henry Pa and Master Composer Maddy
Lam. Also joining nā keiki are nā kūpuna (elders) of Hālau
Ka Lei Hulu Kūpuna. A hālau made up of elders from
the Pauahi Recreation Center in Honolulu, nā kupuna
range in age from 55 - 85. The hālau is made up mostly of
retirees of the hotel industry. Both nā keiki and nā kūpuna
hālau have performed at numerous events and venues and
eagerly await the opportunity to showcase their talent on
the Outrigger stage.
Taimane Gardner (8:20 p.m. - 9:05 p.m.) This ukulele female
virtuoso will delight the crowd with her undeniable talent.
Taimane was discovered at the age of 13 by Don Ho, while she
was performing on the streets of Waikiki to help raise money
for the poor. Taimane became a featured performer with the
legendary Don Ho who took her under his wing. She has
performed in various U.S. cities, including Las Vegas and Palm
Springs and has also performed privately for John Travolta
/Kelly Preston, Steven Seagal, Konishiki, IBM Japan, Pepsi,
Toyota Japan, Jeep, and Mitsubishi, to name a few. Taimane’s
vocal style is best described as “soft rock” and instrumentally,
she has been called a female Carlos Santana. She studied
under many different ukulele instructors with different styles,
including Jake and Bruce Shimabukuro, Brother Noland,
Herb Ota Jr., Troy Fernandez, and others, learning to blend
the styles and creating her own unique sound and delivery.
Nā Pualei ‘O Likolehua (9:15 p.m. - 10 p.m.) was formed
in 1976 under the direction of Kumu Hula Leinā‘ala Kalama
Heine. Their mission is to prepare young women to become
kumu hula (teachers of hula), practitioners of Hawaiian
culture, and to carry on the traditions surrounding hula. Nā
Pualei has distinguished itself at the Merrie Monarch Festivals
competition by earning the only perfect score in the hula
kahiko (ancient) category competition and is the winner of the
2006 hula kahiko competition. During the past 32 years, Nā
Pualei has delivered more than 96 performances in Hawaii,
the continental U.S., Japan, and Tahiti and has also conducted
over 100 cultural workshops and educational sessions.
Nā Pualei ‘O Likolehua
About Aloha Festivals
Aloha Festivals was first held in 1947 as Aloha Week, and
over the past six decades has become a celebration of Hawaiian
culture, integrating the traditions and cultures of the Islands
through music, dance, cuisine, and art. Aloha Festivals is
funded through the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, corporate and
private sponsorships, and sales of Aloha Festivals ribbons and
merchandise. For more information on the Aloha Festivals and
its events, visit www.alohafestivals.com.
Saturday Briefing
Page Hurricane Season is Far from Over
Continued from page 1
Photo credit: www.imagine-hawaii.com/ hurricane_iniki_1992.jpg
Iniki, classified
as a Category
4 storm on the
Saffir-Simpson
scale, had sustained
winds of 145 mph,
with gusts up to
175 mph, as it
approached the
island of Kauai. It
caused six deaths
and $1.6 billion
(in 1992 dollars,
equivalent to $2.3
Satellite image of Hurricane Iniki over Kauai
billion today) in
damage, making it one of the most destructive storms in U.S.
history and most certainly the most damaging hurricane to
hit Hawaii in modern times. Properties operated by Outrigger
on both Oahu and Kauai were among the hotels sustaining
significant damage.
Typhoon Pongsona swept across Guam, where our
company operates three properties. A Category 4 storm, with
sustained winds of 144 mph and peak gusts of 173 mph, it
devastated the island. Utility services were shut down for
many days. Over 3,000 homes were either destroyed or
significantly damaged. Fortunately, there were no deaths
directly attributed to Pongsona.
I was born in Hawaii, and during my first 50 years,
we had some bad storms, but none did significant damage.
When Hurricane Iwa hit the state in 1982, most residents,
including yours truly, were completely surprised.
As Iwa approached, I was giving a deposition in a
lawyer’s office in downtown Honolulu. The winds were
gusting, and the windows started to rattle loudly. The
young court reporter’s eyes widened further and further, as
she punched away on her stenograph machine. Based on
my lifelong experience, I told her not to worry about the
weather. Boy, was I wrong! The winds intensified quickly, and
we soon had to end the session.
As I write this article, three storms, Hanna, Ike, and
Josephine, are forming in the Atlantic and heading toward
Florida. Fortunately, no hurricanes or typhoons are currently
spinning toward any part of the Pacific, where Outrigger and
OHANA operate. That, however, could change quickly.
While we hope and pray for the best, let’s review everything
we do at work and at home to get ready for the worst. The
National Hurricane Center Web site (www.nhc.noaa.gov/
HAW2/english/intro.shtml) has some great information. The
Hawaii State Civil Defense Web site (www.scd.state.hi.us/)
is also an excellent resource. Hotel Interactive has an article
specifically focusing on hotel planning for a weather crisis
(www.hotelinteractive.com/article.aspx?articleid=11410).
Let’s Be Prepared!
Hurricane Iniki caused Kalia Road to flood
Saturday Briefing
Page See more photos on page 9
Hurricane Season is Far from Over
Continued from page 8
Photo credit: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Hawaii_hurricane_tracks.png
This map shows the tracks of all tropical hurricanes that have passed by or affected Hawaii
The front entrance of the Outrigger Reef on the Beach during Hurricane Iniki
Saturday Briefing
Page Writers Take Oahu by Storm
Continued from page 1
Twain. Academy-Award winning director Bobby Moresco,
who directed the movie, along with his daughter Amanda
Moresco, who wrote the movie, were on hand that evening to
introduce the movie and to answer questions afterwards.
Outrigger’s Kim Rogers, editor of our new
outriggerhawaii.com website, attended the four-day
conference at the Ala Moana Hotel. Each evening, she posted
a new story to the outriggerhawaii.com blog sharing what she
saw, who she met, and what inspired her that day. If you’d
like to get an insider’s perspective of the conference, log on at
http://outriggerhawaii.wordpress.com/.
Also attending this year’s conference was Corina Amman,
our public relations representative based in Australia. Each
year, the MWC holds a special spring retreat, and this year,
that spring retreat was held at the Outrigger on the Lagoon
- Fiji. We are exploring the possibility of having the spring
retreat return to Fiji within the next year or two, with Australia’s
top-selling author Bryce Courtenay a key presenter. Corina
attended the MWC so she could meet Bryce and to get a better
understanding of the program to help promote a Fiji retreat to
an Australia audience, which is a prime market for Fiji.
This year’s Maui Writers Conference spanned three Oahu
hotels – the Outrigger Reef on the Beach, which hosted
many of the conference’s dignitaries; the Embassy Suites
- Waikiki Beach Walk, where the pre-conference retreat was
held; and Ala Moana Hotel, the Maui Writers Conference
host hotel. Everyone at these properties worked extremely
hard, ensuring everything ran smoothly throughout the
retreat and conference, from the Front Desk, Valet, Bell,
Housekeeping, Engineering, Food & Beverage, and Banquet
departments. However, a few individuals deserve an extra
hand for going above and beyond.
A hearty mahalo to Embassy Suites - Waikiki Beach
Walk’s Mark Burson and Joe Carmona for beautifully
handling all the Food & Beverage needs during the retreat
and to Reuben Nakagawa and Carol Kahili for coordinating
the reconfiguration of a number of guest suites into meeting
rooms. At the Ala Moana Hotel, special thanks have to go out
to Melanie Alvaro (Sales Manager) for all her work in liaising
with the MWC and wholesalers on guest rooms, presenters,
etc., and to Candace Au and the Catering team for all the
work they did in organizing meeting rooms, breakfasts, and
lunches for the MWC crew and presenters and also for her
flexibility in working on last-minute changes.
And finally, a big mahalo to John and Shannon Tullius,
Directors of the Maui Writers Conference, who had the
vision over 16 years ago to create what has become one of
the most respected writers’ conferences in the world. They
wanted to bring literature, writing, and publishing to the
people of Hawaii, and with another successful conference
behind them, I think it’s safe to say they have certainly done
that and more.
Maui Writers Conference directors John Tullius (far left) and Shannon Tullius (far right) gather with the distinguished faculty of authors, screenwriters,
and presenters, including Sam Horn, Diane Lake, Michael Palmieri, Tom Cook, Gary Braver, Anne LeClaire, William Martin, Ann Hood, Steve Berry,
Jacquelyn Mitchard, William Bernhardt, David Morrell, H.W. Brands, John Soriano, John Lescroart, and David Fryxell
Saturday Briefing
Page 10