Saturday BriefingPage �

August 23, 2008

Continued on page 8

Darren Shaw Named South Pacific’s

General Manager of the Year Our South Pacific “jewel in the crown,” Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji, continues to be recognized as the most awarded five-star resort “down under,” with popular General Manager Darren Shaw receiving the coveted South Pacific Hotel Manager of the Year accolade at the annual HM Awards (presented by Hotel & Accommodation Management Magazine) dinner in Sydney, Australia, on August �4. The gala evening paid tribute to the best hotel and accommodation providers in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, and attracted a record 400 entries judged by an independent panel of 30 tourism industry leaders and travel writers.

The resort was also a finalist in four other categories: South Pacific Property, Executive Chef (Shailesh Naidu), Sales & Marketing (Andrew Gee), and Service to the Community.

Darren ShawSouth Pacific’s General Manager of the Year

Maui Writers Conference

Invites Everyone to Free Showing of

New Hollywood FilmBy Mylen Yamamoto

Hundreds of potential authors and screenwriters across the country are finalizing their manuscripts and packing their suitcases (pen and paper included), in preparation for one of the most exciting writers conferences in the nation. The Maui Writers Conference is just around the corner, happening from August 28 through September �, and this year, they’re on the road in Honolulu. The new name, “Maui Writers Conference on the Road in Honolulu,” is only one addition in the overall event transformation. This year’s location offers attendees more options of things to see and do when away from the conference and was chosen to attract a larger local audience as well. Outrigger Enterprises Group is the premiere hotel host, accommodating guests at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach and Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk®, and at our affiliated Ala Moana Hotel. To show their appreciation for the warm welcome they have received in their new hometown of Honolulu, The Maui Writers are inviting residents and visitors to a free, first-time world showing of the new Hollywood film The Kings of Appletown during the conference weekend. “This is a great opportunity for The Maui Writers to give something back to the community,” said Maui Writers Conference

Continued on page 7

Saturday BriefingPage 2

Happy Birthday!Sept 9: Herminia Agbayani, Suncha Chang, Carlita Harring, Jun Ling Lu, Romeo E. Calamayan, Jennifer L. Cabasag, and Nelson P. Vaquilar.

Sept �0: Tolentino G. Esteban, Edwin R. Guillermo, Ying Fong Lam, Naomi C. Maitinnara, Nicolasa A. Garcia, Gina V. Palacio, Kenneth B. Choo, Ellen S. Ishidro, Kanoa Lacerdo Magallanes, Irma Chaparro, Dannette Na-O, Andres B. Malong, Thomas J. Apilado, and Dean T. Kaneshiro.

Sept ��: William C. Aiwohi, Roselyn M. Ozaki, Pak Y. Chan, James Y.G. Huang, and Elvis Bannister.

Sept �2: Janeth Visitacion and Michelle M. Norstrom.

Sept �3: Chu Ja Oh, Orlando A. Ruiz, Mariasita Rivera, and Jay T. Velasco.

Sept �4: Kristine C. Renneau, Resurreccion M. Afaga, Melody M. Abraham, Lanieza D. Garcia, Sherri J. Thomas, and Liza T. Ramos.

Sept �5: Cynthia R. Huston, Cary T. Hirayama, Kathleen A. Reese, Gladys R. Nagatori, Clara H. Graciidis, and Greg A. Anderson.

Correction In the article, “Outrigger Receives Accolades for Keeping it Hawaii,” in last week’s issue (August �6) of Saturday Briefing, we inadvertently omitted the caption for the photo on page �.

Eric Masutomi accepted a Kahili award on behalf of Outrigger Enterprises Group for our Nā Mele No Nā Pua Hawaiian Music Heritage

Program from Keli‘i Wilson, Hawaiian Cultural Coordinator for HTA

Saturday Briefing is published by and for the employees

of Outrigger Enterprises Group.

Editor-In-Chief: Richard KelleySenior Editor: Marie Casciato Assistant Editor: Lehua Kala`iContributing 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) 92�-660�.© 2008 Outrigger Hotels Hawaii An Equal Opportunity Employer

Moments of AlohaOutrigger Twin Towns Resort“Helen and I just enjoyed a few days of your hospitality and felt that we should record our sincere appreciation of the courteous and efficient way members of your staff handled a problem we created, aided and abetted by our advancing years. Somehow or other, we managed to leave behind in our room Helen’s cosmetic bag, which was crammed with all of the aids and enhancements old people seem to need. Your staff came to fore and arranged for it to be forwarded by Australia Post so that it did, in fact, arrive back here in Hervey Bay before we did. Please pass on to the housekeeping staff and receptionist our thanks for their assistance and courteous handling of our problem. We would particularly like to record our appreciation of the way your Housekeeping Manager packed the bag so that it would not get damaged and the prompt way she dispatched it to us. We have stayed at the Resort many times over the years and must confess that we were somewhat concerned when management passed from the Club to Outrigger. However our experience during this latest visit has dispelled all doubts, and we will confidently continue to extol the virtues of staying at your resort to our friends.”Derek & Helen SelfPialba, Hervey Bay

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) 92�-6989. Application deadline for the following position is August 29, 2008.

Bell Person (Full Time)Must have at least six months customer service experience, be able to lift 70 lbs. and be flexible to work any shift and day.

Saturday BriefingPage 3

The New-Wave Mai Tai Hits Embassy Suites

By Nancy Daniels

The Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk® was the site of a special book signing recently by local author Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi. Cheryl’s newest book, The New-Wave Mai Tai has a special connection with the hotel. Three of the recipes included in the book were created by hotel bartenders, including the beautiful cocktail that graces the cover of the book – Christian Ross’ “Pakini Mai Tini.” In addition to Chris’s tasty libation, Dennis Yeomans’ “Cadillac Mai Tai” and Lewis Somera’s “Kimo’s Mai Tai” also are among the 50 cutting-edge mai tai recipes included in the book. Readers will also find beautiful photos of many of the drinks, as well fascinating historical tidbits on rum—the mai tai’s principal ingredient. The origins of the famed drink are also explored, including the eternal debate over whether Trader Vic or Don the Beachcomber actually created it. The book is made additionally special, as it is written by local writer Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, an award-winning travel journalist who has covered Hawaii, Asia, and the South Pacific for numerous local and national publications. You can also see her weekly column, “Hawaii’s Back Yard,” in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin’s travel section every Sunday, highlighting the many fun and exciting activities both visitors and residents can enjoy in the islands!

Mahalo to Food & Beverage Operations Manager Joe Carmona and Assistant General Manager Mark Burson for helping to make the book signing such a fun event for writer Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi, publisher Watermark Publishing, and, of course, the guests of the Embassy Suites - Waikiki Beach Walk.

Cheryl Tsutsumi enjoyed a taste of bartender Chris Ross’ “Pakini Mai Tini”

Bartenders (L-R) Dennis Yeomans, Chris Ross, and Lewis Somera pose with writer Cheyl Tsutsumi

Saturday BriefingPage 4

Lifesaver ClubBy Dr. Chuck Kelley and Wendle Raping

A big mahalo to everyone who came to the Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk® Blood Drive on Monday, August �8. With your help, we collected 29 pints of blood! These pints of blood will be separated into its three main components: red blood cells, plasma, and platelets and used to treat life-threatening medical problems. In total, we collected enough blood to potentially save 87 lives! To those of you who were deferred, a big mahalo for coming out and trying! Please don’t give up on your efforts! Congratulations to Terri Escritor and Lorry Ijima-Sato who were our raffle winners! To those of you who were unable to make it to the drive or were deferred and would like to donate at a location most convenient for you, please contact:

Blood Bank of Hawaii845-9966

http://www.boh.org

or

Wendle Raping92�-6972

wendle.raping@outrigger.com

Donors who gave at this drive are eligible to donate again October �3, 2008. If you are interested in donating at the next Outrigger Blood Drive, please mark your calendars for Monday, October �4, 2008, at the OHANA East, Lobby Conference Room.

Kalei Ohia and her daughter Kanoe

Even though she was deferred, Lorry Ijima-Sato

was one of the lucky raffle winners

Vincent Lin

More photographs on page 5

Saturday BriefingPage 5

Lifesaver ClubContinued from page 4

Lori Naone and Herman Lam

Marsha Kapu and Laurie Hirata Doreen Nohara and Lori Ortiz

Eric Ishikawa and Mercedes LanzaRaffle Winner Terri Escritor

Ellen Isidro Jerry Dolak Shantel Burns and Patrice Shibuya

Saturday BriefingPage 6

Surfing Greats Visit Outrigger ReefBy Joanna Demeo

Surfing legend Rabbit Kekai and current ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) women’s world longboard champion Joy Monahan recently paid a visit to the Outrigger Reef. The two were on property for a special photo shoot with MidWeek, in honor of Duke’s OceanFest. The surfing greats posed around the hotel and shoreline area, modeling beachwear. Kuhao Zane also posed for the shoot, decked out in Sig Zane Designs, and Mahie Rattley modeled Roxy wear. Check out the photo spread in the August 20 print edition of MidWeek or online at midweek.com. The Roxy women’s pro surf team also paid a visit to the Reef on August �9 and treated locals and employees to free posters and autographs. Jennifer Smith, Kelia Moniz, Crystal Dzigas, and Lindsey Bowman hung out on the beach and talked with fans about their upcoming competition in Waikiki. We hope many employees were able to enjoy all of the Outrigger sponsored activities as part of Duke’s Ocean Fest.

Joanna Demeo with Roxy Pro Surf Team: Jennifer Smith, Crystal Dzigas, Lindsey Bowman, and Kelia Moniz

Kawika Maeda, surfing legend Rabbit Kekai, Gavino Indalecio, and Kuhao ZaneContinued on page 7

Saturday BriefingPage 7

by Bobby Moresco’s daughter—Amanda Moresco, who has worked on multiple projects, including the television series’ Falcone and Hell’s Kitchen, as well as feature films One Eyed King, Million Dollar Baby, and Crash. She has also written the movie The Prince and the Pauper. As if seeing a first showing of a Hollywood release movie isn’t exciting enough, both Bobby and Amanda Moresco will take the stage following the movie to discuss the film and answer questions from the audience. The screening of The Kings of Appletown will start at sunset (around 7:30 p.m.). on the second day of the Maui Writers Conference, Saturday, August 30, at Sunset on the Beach in Waikiki. Outrigger Enterprises Group is proud to be a sponsor of The Maui Writers Conference.

Director John Tullius. “It is important for us to show the people of Oahu our appreciation for welcoming us and The Conference to Honolulu, and we are, therefore, very excited about being able to arrange this event.” The Kings of Appletown is a family movie inspired by the novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, written by Mark Twain. The movie is directed by Academy Award winner Bobby Moresco, who co-wrote and produced the breakout film, Crash, and also co-produced the 2005 Academy Award Winner for Best Picture, Million Dollar Baby. It is written

Maui Writers Conference Invites Everyone to Free Showing of New Hollywood Film

Continued from page 1

Surfing Greats Visit Outrigger ReefContinued from page 6

Standing:MidWeek photo crewmember

Trevor Moore; Outrigger’s

Bill Comstock and Bill Dailey; and model Mahie Rattley

Sitting: MidWeek photographer

Nathalie Walker,MidWeek Editor Yushing Ting,

and ASP women’s world longboard champion

Joy Monahan

Saturday BriefingPage 8

I was delighted to hear that Darren had won the South Pacific Hotel Manager Award for Excellence. As a frequent visitor to this beautiful resort, I can attest to his professionalism and popularity among staff and industry peers. Since taking on the GM role in 2006, Darren and his team have worked tirelessly, introducing a range of new initiatives and significant additions, including the opening of the spectacular Bebe Sanctuary and Spa, Kalokalo Bar, and Bure Ni Loloma Wedding Chapel. During this busy period, he also oversaw an extensive room refurbishment program, meeting our guests’ high expectations within budget. Not resting on their laurels, following the resort’s historic five-star accreditation a few years back, Darren and his team have focused heavily on maintaining the resort’s reputation as a premier five-star experience by

Darren Shaw Named South Pacific’s

General Manager of the YearContinued from page 1

continuing to implement new guest and trade initiatives and identifying future trends. Despite some challenges over the past couple of years that have affected the flow of visitors to Fiji, Darren has focused on maintaining a positive approach to resort operations through the development of several new revenue streams, staff training, and aligning with new source markets in the face of heavy discounting from competitors. Outrigger was one of a very few resorts in Fiji that did not fall back on heavy discounting as a primary strategy. Darren’s sales & marketing team managed to hold rates throughout most of the year by focusing on our premium product offering and unique selling points. As an active member on the Board of Directors for the Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association and Chairman of the AAA subcommittee in Fiji, Darren’s contribution to Fiji’s tourism industry demonstrates his commitment to and passion for the local industry and the many people it employs. Equally important is Outrigger on the Lagoon’s community program, “Bula Spirit in the Community,” which Darren implemented. The program allows each operational division to nominate a local group or community that needs help Some of the communities that have benefited from Outrigger’s “Bula Spirit in the Community” include the Nausori and Sigatoka Special Schools, Sigatoka Hospital’s Children’s Ward, and Treasure House Orphanage. It is not easy to remain on top year after year, but through product innovation and consistently high standards in guest and trade relations, Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji is a shining example of how we can continue to stand out. I congratulate all the staff and finalists at Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji and commend Darren and his loyal and dedicated team—many of whom it has been my pleasure to meet over the years—for their efforts in keeping the resort top of mind and the preferred vacation destination for so many repeat guests from around the world.

Shailesh Naidu was a finalistin the Executive Chef category

Sales & Marketing category finalist Andrew Gee

Darren Shaw and Dr. Richard Kelley