Maui Hotel & Lodging Association

MAUI HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO MCC STUDENTS - Visitor Industry Gives to Maui’s Future Business Leaders –

WAILUKU, MAUI – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association recently awarded scholarships to six Maui Community College Spring Semester students from proceeds of the annual EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION Golf Tournament held last Fall. Four students from the Culinary Academy received $500 and two Business & Hospitality students received $1,000 scholarships. Students were recognized as outstanding achievers by their department coordinators.

Recipients of $1,000 representing the Maui Community College Business and Hospitality Department are:

Mark Santiago – Born on Maui, Mark graduated from Lahainaluna High School. He already has a degree in Culinary Arts from the Art Institute of Seattle. He is now pursuing a degree in Hospitality & Tourism. Mark is working toward his career goal of becoming a Convention Services Manager.
Kathleen Bowen - Katie is pursuing an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Hospitality & Tourism and intends to work toward a Bachelor’s Degree. She is currently in the management trainee program at the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa, well on her way to her goal of a management position in the hospitality industry.

Maui Culinary Academy students receiving $500 each include:

Nicole Fetterman - Nicole was born on Maui and graduated from King Kekaulike High School. She is majoring in Culinary Arts and is working toward her Associate in Applied Science Degree. Her goal is to become a certified chef.
Natacia Pharmer - Natacia is majoring in Culinary Arts & Baking. Her future goals are to work in a five-star pastry shop at a hotel, do banquets and special events, and own a restaurant or be featured in a TV show.
Yvonne LaVoie - Yvonne was born on Kauai and attended King Kekaulike High School. She is a Culinary Arts major. Her future goals include traveling abroad, gaining work experience as a chef, and opening/owning her own catering business.
Chloe Thurston - Chloe plans to obtain an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is currently working as a project manager for MCC's Research and Development Department.

Board of Director Gregg Nelson (far left), Executive Director Carol Reimann (middle) and Board of Director Nane Aluli (far right) present scholarships to Maui Community College students (left to right) Nicole Fetterman, Katie Bowen and Mark Santiago.
These future industry leaders were honored at the Maui No Ka Oi magazine’s Aipono Awards ceremony in front of hundreds of business and restaurant industry principals.

“It’s an honor to be able to provide for our future. These students excel in their respective areas and have been awarded for their achievements. We look forward to watching these stellar students turn into the next generation of business leaders,” says Carol Reimann, MHLA Executive Director.

The 2008 EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION golf tournament will be held on Friday, August 29 at The Dunes. This popular event funds scholarship for high school students participating in Maui’s Academy of Hospitality & Tourism and Maui Community College students in the Culinary and Business & Hospitality programs.

The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 to advocate for the Visitor Industry. The organization also provides educational opportunities and scholarships, and gives back to the community via the annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Excellence in Education golf tournament and Kupuna Dinner. For additional information, contact MHLA at 244-8625.

May 2, 2008

ACADEMY OF HOSPITALITY & TOURISM GRADUATION & SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATION - Visitor Industry Gives Back to Maui’s Future Business Leaders –

WAILUKU, MAUI – In a special luncheon prepared by the Maui Culinary Academy to honor graduating students in the Academy of Hospitality & Travel yesterday, the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association recognized 92 Maui seniors and presented a total of $14,000 in scholarships to 16 recipients who have successful completed the two-year Academy of Hospitality & Travel (AOHT) curricula designed for students interested in pursuing careers in the travel industry.

Scholarship recipients who were recognized as outstanding achievers include:

Baldwin High School

Niki Fernandez	Aimee Guzman	Monica Garcia

Lahainaluna High School
Eric Emmel	Setaita Filikitonga	Ryley Mayo	Kiana Nip
Roxanne Padron

Maui High School
Kimberly Agonoy	Leanna Beaulieu	Ervin Domingo	Ashley Felipe
Mandy Madrid	Mariel Angeline Ramiro	Tiffany Turner	April Vidad

Of the 16 recipients, 5 students were recognized as outstanding achievers and received an additional “Special Recognition Scholarship.” They are Eric Emmel, Setaita Filikitonga, Monica Garcia, Kiana Nip and Tiffany Turner.

“The AOHT program offers students a unique opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the travel industry. Many of these students continue on to college with a head-start in selecting their field of study,” says Carol Reimann, executive director for the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association. “We are pleased to offer such a great program to high school students – our future business leaders – and contribute to workforce development.”

Since AOHT’s inception in the early 1990’s with a one-time donation from the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, the AOHT Program has proven to be a successful public-private partnership. The seed that was first planted at Lahainaluna High School and then to Maui High & Baldwin has grown statewide to include Kauai High School, McKinley High School and Waipahu High. This innovative “schools within schools” concept emphasizes academic excellence while preparing students for the “real world.”

With 125 students in their AOHT program Maui High School has

the highest enrollment in the state. Shown in this photo are

MHS’s graduating seniors.

AOHT’s primary goal is to prepare students for post-secondary education and cultivate workforce development in one of the world’s largest service industries.

This innovative program administered by the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association provides students with valuable exposure to the industry via internships, job shadowing, research & event planning, service projects, job site visits, university visits and travel. In addition, AOHT provides scholarship opportunities to high school students who wish to continue their education in the visitor industry.

Today, the AOHT program includes over 400 students statewide of which includes 280 Maui students.

The program plays a significant role in both the HTA Strategic Plan & Workforce Development Plan.

The statewide AOHT program is funded by a grant from the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Scholarship monies for Maui AOHT graduates are funded with proceeds from the annual Maui Hotel & Lodging Association’s “Excellence in Education” golf tournament.

The 2008 Excellence in Education golf tournament will be held on Friday, August 29 at The Dunes.

This popular event funds scholarship for high school students participating in Maui’s Academy of Hospitality & Tourism and Maui Community College students in the Culinary and Business & Hospitality programs.

Posted: May 29, 2008