Michael Pye has been hired as Hawaii general manager for Fairmont Hotels and as general manager of the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea, according to Wayne Buckingham, senior vice president of Accor Hotels.
Most recently, Kuriyama served as deputy general manager of the 1,636-room Sheraton Waikiki.
Aqua-Aston Hospitality has announced the appointment of Alexander Dale to the role of executive chef at Aqua Kauai Beach Resort, a pristine 25-acre resort on Kauai's longest eastern coast beach.
One might wonder what would move veteran hotelier Charlie Parker from the iconic Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square to the Hawaiian Islands at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, but a close look at his CV reveals a connection to the ocean that crosses continents, and an affinity for surfing, scuba diving, ocean navigation and working closely with local cultures.
Hospitality industry veteran Michael Czarcinski has been named general manager of the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, as announced by Area Vice President Harris Chan, Marriott International - Hawaii & French Polynesia. Most recently, Czarcinski served as general manager of the 1,350-room Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, Calif.
Mauna Kea Resort, the crown jewel of the Kohala Coast and home to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Hapuna Beach Resort, announced today the strategic executive appointment of Brad Doell as director of sales and marketing. This addition to the management team marks an exciting time for Mauna Kea Resort as it is poised to introduce the transformation of Hapuna Beach Resort to The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort in spring 2018 following a multi-million-dollar renovation.
In his new position, Vo is responsible for overseeing the resort's global communications strategy, which includes public relations, advertising, digital marketing and community relations. He brings more than 10 years of strategic communications experience in the areas of hospitality, luxury and travel and tourism to the resort. He previously served as director of marketing for Irongate also as part of the resort's pre-opening team, where he led all global marketing initiatives for the resort. Prior to this, he held a number of public relations and marketing leadership positions at The Kahala Hotel & Resort and Hawaiian Airlines.
Highgate, a premier real estate investment and hospitality management company, has appointed Kelly Sanders as Vice President of Operations, Hawaii. In this role, Sanders will oversee the management of Highgate's expanding portfolio of properties in Hawaii — currently comprised of six assets in Honolulu, including the newly-launched 'Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. Sanders joins Highgate after more than 21 years within the Starwood/Marriott global brand. Most recently, he was Area General Manager overseeing five legacy properties in Hawaii, including the oceanfront Sheraton Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian, A Luxury Collection Resort, The Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort and Spa, the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and the Sheraton Maui. An accomplished industry expert, Sanders was recently appointed a board member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) by Governor of Hawaii David Ige. In addition to his extensive background in the hospitality industry, Sanders is active in numerous philanthropic endeavors. He has served as Chair of the Diamond Head Theater, and is a board member of Gregory House Charities, Euro Cinema, Boy Scouts of America and The American Red Cross. He is also the Creative Entertainment Director for the Heart Ball benefiting the American Heart Association of Hawaii.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has appointed Jerry Gibson vice president and managing director for Turtle Bay Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Greg Champion, president, made the announcement.
Prince Waikiki proudly announces the appointment of Joseph Almoguera as Executive Chef. In his new role, Chef Almoguera oversees all kitchen operations for Prince Waikiki"s three dining establishments, including 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar, Hinana Bar, and Bird of Paradise Restaurant located at Hawaii Prince Golf Club. Almoguera has been an esteemed team member of the Prince Resorts family since 2013, and was instrumental in the success of 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar after its opening in 2016.
Halekulani, Oahu's acclaimed luxury resort, is delighted to announce a reorganization of its sales team, to include Nelson Arlos as Associate Director of Sales for all other Halekulani markets, effective immediately. Previously the Senior Sales Manager of U.S. East Coast markets for Halekulani and its sister property Waikiki Parc, Mr. Arlos will now serve as Associate Director of Sales exclusively for Halekulani, while maintaining his accounts in the U.S. East Coast and Eastern Canada markets. Mr. Arlos has more than 34 years of experience with Halekulani, beginning his career in the hotel's front office before becoming Concierge and now a key leader in the sales department.
Halekulani, Oahu's acclaimed luxury resort, is delighted to announce a reorganization of its sales team, to include Mr. Kazuki Takaoka as Associate Director of Sales & Marketing for the Asia market. Mr. Takaoka previously served as the Senior Sales Manager for Asia at Halekulani and Waikiki Parc and is now Associate Director of Sales & Marketing for Asia exclusively at Halekulani. Mr. Takaoka will be responsible for leading the focused development and implementation of targeted sales and marketing strategies for the Asia market.
Halekulani, Oahu's acclaimed luxury resort, is delighted to announce a reorganization of its sales team, to include Mr. Geoff Pearson as Director of Sales & Marketing for all domestic and international markets. Prior to his expanded role, Mr. Pearson was the Director of Sales & Marketing at Halekulani for the U.S. and international markets outside of Asia; he will once again oversee all markets. Mr. Pearson brings years of luxury hospitality experience at Halekulani and expert knowledge of international sales strategies in all markets to his new position.
Waterlow brings many years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry to Halekulani. Prior to Halekulani, Waterlow most recently held the Managing Director position at the Inn at Little Washington, a AAA Five-Diamond, Forbes Five-Star, Michelin two-star property that focuses on delivering masterful culinary experiences. Waterlow has also held leadership roles at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, L'Auberge de Sedona, Chateux du Sureau, and the Four Seasons Maui where he contributed immensely to their success and reputation.
Timbers Resorts, one of the largest independent developers and operators of private boutique resorts and residence clubs, has appointed Eric Cucchi as General Manager of Timbers Kaua'i Ocean Club & Residences at Hōkūala. An eight-year veteran with Timbers Resorts, Eric is currently Senior Project Manager for Hōkūala. In his new role, he will oversee the private residence club's hospitality operations.
In his current role, the native Hawaiian leads the hotel’s sales and marketing strategies, managing a team of three sales associates and working directly with Kokua Hospitality’s corporate regional sales manager. Moniz, who brings such accolades as Evolution Hospitality’s national salesperson of the year for 2014, contributes to the hotel’s holistic business strategies and focuses on optimising revenue while forging lasting relationships with local business partners and clients.
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa announces the appointment of Klara Crocco as its new director of marketing and communications. Crocco brings robust experience in public relations and marketing following tenures in both the hospitality and consumer product industries. Prior to joining Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Crocco most recently served as the complex director of public relations at The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas and The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas in Lahaina, Hawaii.
Henry Perez is the new general manager of Hilton Waikiki Beach on Kuhio. He leads a team of more than 300 in continuing the hotel’s reputation for outstanding guest service and value. In 2016, Hilton Waikiki Beach on Kuhio ranked number one in highest satisfaction and loyalty tracking scores within Hilton Worldwide Americas for hotels with more than 500 rooms. Known for being an enthusiastic, approachable and very hands-on type of leader, Perez is a respected leader in Hawaii’s hospitality industry. He served as director of operations to 16 hotels for Aqua Hotels and Resorts, and general manager for Marriott Courtyard Waikiki, Hilton Grand Vacations at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Aqua Palms, and Embassy Suites Resort.
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas announces Jon Itoga’s appointment to director of finance at the 18.5-acre resort on Kaua‘i’s north shore. He will function as the strategic financial business leader with a focus on the planning and execution of short- and long-term financial goals of the resort.
Prior to joining Montage Kapalua Bay, Damskey was the chef de cuisine for three years at `Ulu Ocean Grill and Sushi Lounge at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, where he proudly featured ingredients from 160 local farmers and artisans. He also served as chef de cuisine at Alan Wong's Amasia at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui, where he was responsible for three dining outlets and the training and development of a 30-member culinary team. Preceding his time in Hawaii, Damksey has held culinary positions at Market by Jean-Georges at W Hotel, Boston; Le Méridien at Chambers Hotel and The Marsh Restaurant, Minneapolis.