MAUI HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO MCC STUDENTS

- Visitor Industry Gives to Maui’s Future Industry Leaders –

WAILUKU, MAUI – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association recently awarded scholarships to six UH Maui College Spring Semester students from proceeds of the annual EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION Golf Tournament held last Fall.  Four students from the Maui 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 UH Maui College Business and Hospitality Department are:

• Ashley Aaron – Originally from the Big Island, Ashley has now made Maui her home. She currently works for a property management firm while maintaining a 3.8 GPA as a full-time student.  Ashley’s career goal is to gain experience in all aspects of hotel operations to and eventually obtain a management position in the number one island destination in the world…our beautiful island of Maui. She says that she can’t wait to become one of the leaders in perpetuating the image of Maui as a paradise - because that is the passion of those in the hospitality industry!
• Maria Isabella Wiberg – Originally from Argentina, Isabella is a full-time student with a 3.6 GPA while currently employed as a hostess at the Grand Wailea. Her manager describes Bella as an exemplary employee who “brings a plentitude of Aloha Spirit to work with her each day.”  . Isabella’s goal is to earn a degree in Hospitality & Tourism and pursue a career in Sales & Marketing…and she says that she would “love to pursue this dream at the Grand Wailea Resort.”

Maui Culinary Academy students receiving $500 each include:

• Derek Barona - Derek was born and raised on Maui and was amongst the first graduating class of 1999 at King Kekaulike High School.  He is currently employed at the Four Seasons Wailea Spagos Restaurant while in his third semester at the Maui Culinary Academy. His goal is to obtain an Associate in Applied Science and ultimately through his future food establishment in Hawaii, he hopes to give back to what Hawaii has given him. Building wonderful creations to eat is what fuels his passion for cooking and he hopes to do this by becoming a master chef proudly representing Hawaii and the Maui Culinary Academy!
• Amy Jackson - Amy previously worked as an ICU nurse in the fast-paced, high-intensity world of trauma for 8 years before realizing her real passion. As a nurse, she questioned what she really wanted to do – her answer was to enter the fast-paced, high-intensity world of food!  Amy has volunteered her time in the kitchens of the Fairmont Kea Lani where she was impressed with their quiet efficiency and beautifully prepared plates. With her family’s background in agritourism, she understands the importance of using local, sustainable resources in her cooking. Amy strives to excel in all that she does and plans to earn all three degrees that are offered at the Maui Culinary Academy. 
• Natalie O’Brien - Born and raised on Maui, Natalie credits her single mother, who did not attend college, for instilling in her the importance of going to college to make a better life for herself. Natalie is currently employed at the Culinary Academy as a Product Research and Development Coordinator where she produces a line of products for the school. She enjoys sharing information about the school’s locally made products and its unique programs. Natalie plans to obtain an Associates Degree, travel abroad and then eventually return to Maui to become a baker. 
• Michael Wilson – Originally from Dallas, Texas, Michael came to Maui to learn the business side of the culinary world with the hopes of owning his own restaurant. After completing the restaurant management program, Michael has decided to continue his education and obtain degrees in the culinary and baking programs. He is currently employed with Sodexo in the bakeshop and in charge of baking all of the bread for the school. After graduating, Michael plans to travel and learn from different chefs with the goal of one day returning to Maui to help the youth who want to become chefs achieve their dreams.

These future industry leaders were honored at the Maui No Ka Oi magazine’s Aipono Awards ceremony in the presence 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 2010 EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION golf tournament will be held on Friday, August 27 at Kaanapali Golf Resort. This popular event funds Maui’s Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, a curriculum in high schools for students interested in the visitor industry. It also provides for scholarships for UH Maui 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.

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PHOTO CAPTION: UH Maui College students receive Maui Hotel & Lodging Association scholarships from Executive Director Carol Reimann (from left to right): Ashley Aaron, Michael Wilson, Derek Barona, Natalie O’Brien, Amy Jackson and Maria Isabella Wiberg.

 April 19, 2010 

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MHLA’S RICE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

- Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Community -

WAILUKU, MAUI – This past Saturday, residents of Molokai were treated to 5-lb bags of rice as Holiday gifts from the Visitor Industry.  The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) provided 1,000 bags of rice to Molokai during the “Happy Holidays Molokai Style” event.

The “MHLA’s Rice for the Holidays” campaign began when the visitor industry association heard that the Coon Family and the employees of Trilogy and Lanai City Service were giving out turkeys to Lanai residents for the Holidays. MHLA joined in with 5-lb bags of rice. In addition, the organization donated 6 palettes or 3,000 bags to the residents of Maui via a donation to the Maui Food Bank.

“It all started with Jim and Rand Coon who allowed us to ride on their coattails on Lanai and now we’ve expanded our giving-back efforts to include the all of the islands in Maui County,” says Carol Reimann, MHLA Executive Director. “The Visitor Industry is honored to give back to the residents of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Rice is a staple for many and we hope to touch as many lives as possible during the holidays and especially during these tough economic times.”

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.

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Photo Caption:  Laura Echiverri of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association hands a bag of rice to Moloka'i resident Carla Dudoit at the event held December 5, 2009.

Posted 12/22/09

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ANNUAL KUPUNA DINNER HONORS MAUI’S ELDERLY

- Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Maui County Community -

WAILUKU, MAUI – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association hosted their Annual Kupuna Dinner at the Wailuku Community Center on Thursday, December 3, 2009.  This year’s holiday feast catered to 500 elderly; and represents the visitor industry’s effort to give back and honor the Kupuna of Maui. Many of the guests include those who have no family to celebrate the holidays with and/or are homebound.

The Community Center was transformed into a festive “hotel-like” dining facility with fabulous entertainment and 200 door prizes. Each year, the Kupuna look forward to an enjoyable evening of celebration with friends and partake in a scrumptious meal prepared by MHLA hotel & timeshare properties. Each participating property prepares 40 complete meals. This year’s menu included: corn chowder, fresh vegetables, rolls and butter, baked ham, steamed rice, pumpkin pie, fresh brewed coffee or tea prepared & served by the following MHLA members:

• Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
• Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
• Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa
• Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa
• Ka'anapali Beach Hotel
• Marriott's Maui Ocean Club
• Makena Beach & Golf Resort
• Napili Kai Beach Resort
• Sheraton Maui Resort
• The Westin KORV
• Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
• The Westin Maui Resort & Spa

In addition to the fabulous meal prepared by property members, over 200 door prizes were given out throughout the evening. These prizes were generously donated by MHLA members, individual citizens and various dignitaries.

“The out pouring of support from the MHLA membership and the community for the Kupuna
Dinner has been absolutely incredible,” says Carol Reimann, Executive Director for MHLA. “All of the Kupuna walked away with a memento of the event. We are so touched to see the spirit of the giving during the holidays as we paid tribute to our Kupuna.”

Each year, MHLA partners with MEO to distribute invitations and provide transportation for the participants from the various senior clubs throughout the island. “MEO is proud to work with MHLA on this very worthy event,” says Agnes Groff, MEO’s Community Relations Liaison who coordinates the efforts of 44 senior clubs throughout Maui. “MEO has been “helping people...changing lives” for 43 years and we look forward to this Kupuna Dinner each year.”

MHLA also partnered with Maui Community College. MCC Hospitality and Tourism students assisted in the coordination of the event. MHLA is proud to give back to our Kupuna and provide valuable hands-on experience to our future business leaders.

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.

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Photo Caption:  Twelve Maui Hotel & Lodging Association hotel/timeshare properties prepared & served holiday meals for 500 senior citizens and guests during their Annual Kupuna Dinner held December 3, 2009

Posted 12/22/09

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RICE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

- Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Community –

WAILUKU, MAUI – This past Saturday, residents of Lanai were treated to frozen turkeys and 5-lb bags of rice as Holiday gifts from the Visitor Industry. The Coon Family and the employees of Trilogy and Lanai City Service have been giving out turkeys on Lanai for many, many years, and beginning last year, the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) jumped in with 5-lb bags of rice. Additional partners jumped in to assist this year - Young Brothers provided valuable shipping for the Holiday treats and Island Movers and Lanai Trucking also contributed with their trucking services.  In all, 1,000 turkeys and 1,000 bags of rice were handed out on November 21 to Lanai residents.

MHLA will also be partnering with Young Brothers to provide 1,000 bags of rice to Molokai during the “Happy Holidays Molokai Style” event on December 5. In addition, the organization has donated 6 palettes or 3,000 bags to the residents of Maui via a donation to the Maui Food Bank.

“MHLA’s generous donation comes at a critical time for the Maui Food Bank as we are experiencing difficulties in keeping our shelves filled during this holiday period,” said Richard Yust, Executive Director for the Maui Food Bank. “The Food Bank exists to assure that no one in Maui County goes hungry. We are grateful that MHLA is helping us to fulfill this mission.”

“It all started with Jim and Rand Coon who allowed us to ride on their coattails on Lanai and now we’ve expanded our giving-back efforts to include the all of the islands in Maui County,” says Carol Reimann, MHLA Executive Director. “The Visitor Industry is honored to give back to the residents of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Rice is a staple for many and we hope to touch as many lives as possible during the holidays and especially during these tough economic times.”

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.

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Rich Yust, Executive Director of the Maui Food Bank and Carol Reimann, Executive Director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association are surrounded by palettes of rice, 3,000 bags were donated to benefit the residents of Maui. 

Residents of Lanai line up to get their free turkeys & rice.  1,000 turkeys and 1,000 bags of rice were given away this past Saturday.

Posted: 12/22/09

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MAUI HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION OFFICERS INSTALLED

- Visitor Industry Elects Officers –

WAILUKU, MAUI – During an annual membership luncheon held on Wednesday, September 16 at the Sheraton Maui Resort the following individuals were installed as 2009-2010 Maui Hotel & Lodging Association Board of Directors:

Officers:

Chairman - Gregg Nelson, The Napili Kai Beach Resort

Vice Chairman - Matthew Bailey, Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa

            Treasurer - Sharon Suzuki, Maui Electric Company

(photography attached, captions noted below)

            Secretary - Carol Reimann, Maui Hotel & Lodging Association

Board of Directors:

Nane Aluli, The Mauian Hotel

            Craig Anderson, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa

            Chip Bahouth, Sheraton Maui Resort

            Nancy Chaplick, Oceanic Time Warner Cable

            Tom Donovan, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua

            Christof Luedi, Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui

Declan McCarthy, Makena Beach & Golf Resort

            Murray Towill, Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association

            Mike White, Ka'anapali Beach Hotel

 “We are pleased to have such a dynamic group of leaders on the MHLA Board,” says Gregg Nelson, Board Chairman and General Manager of the Napili Kai Beach Resort. “Collectively, we have literally over three century’s worth of expertise amongst the Board which will be invaluable as we take an active role in advocating for the Visitor Industry during these very challenging times.”

Posted: 09/18/09

31^st ANNUAL VISITOR INDUSTRY CHARITY WALK FINAL TALLY IN AT $311,600

- Visitor Industry Gives Back to the Maui County Community –

WAILUKU, MAUI – The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association announced yesterday that $311,600 was raised during the 31^st Annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, held this past May in Wailuku, Maui. 

The Charity Walk is one of the largest single-day fundraising events in Hawaii. Statewide, nearly $1 million was raised during walks held on Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island, Maui and Molokai. Maui continues to raise more dollars per capita than any other island. Since the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association started hosting the event in 1980, a cumulative total of over $5.3 million was raised, benefitting numerous non-profit organizations from Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

In a special reception held at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua yesterday, over 80 non-profit organizations were honored in appreciation of their participation in the event. The following non-profits and businesses were singled out for their top fundraising efforts:

Non-Profit agencies raising the most funds

3^rd place – Hawaii Canines for Independence - $9,902

2^nd place – Wailuku Hongwanji Preschool - $12,069

1^st place – Hale Makua - $29,710

Businesses raising the most funds

2^nd – VIP Foodservice - $1,163

1^st – Oceanic Time Warner Cable - $3,000

Also of note, the top individual fundraiser was Mitch Mitchell representing Hale Makua who collected $10,375; and the Royal Lahaina took in first place for the property bringing in the most at $25,242. 

“The annual Charity Walk is the Visitor Industry’s way of giving back to the community. Many MHLA property & business members work year round to raise funds for this worthy endeavor. Our industry remains committed to providing for and positively impacting the lives of the people of Maui County,” says Carol Reimann, Executive Director for the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association. “This year, we are pleased to award funds to over 80 worthy Maui County organizations from the event’s proceeds. The range of services of these recipients touches many residents’ lives from children to the elderly, from athletic organizations to service-related agencies; from health to housing. It is our goal to impact many lives by supporting a variety of charitable organizations that provide valuable services, and to ultimately improve our community.”

Mark your calendar for next year’s Visitor Industry Charity Walk – May 15, 2010. 

Posted: 09/02/09

While many of the golfers won some great prizes, the real winners of the event are Maui’s youth.  The popular visitor industry golf tournament celebrated 13^th years of giving back to Maui’s future business leaders by raising over $13,600 for the following programs:

The Academy of Hospitality & Tourism program, administered by the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, started in the 1990’s with a one-time donation from the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel. The seed that was first planted at Lahainaluna High School soon expanded to include Maui High & Baldwin. Today, the AOHT program includes over 220 students on Maui. The innovative program emphasizes academic excellence while preparing students for the “real world” by providing opportunities for internships, job shadowing, research, event planning, service projects, job site visits, university visits and travel. 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. The program also plays a role in both the HTA Strategic Plan & Workforce Development Plan.

“The Maui Hotel & Lodging Association is committed to giving back to the community by providing opportunities for our future business leaders,” says Carol Reimann, executive director for the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association. “We are pleased to raise much-needed funds during these difficult economic times to ensure our youth have the tools to make educated choices. The students who benefit from our efforts are the future of Maui and it’s important that we provide opportunities to help maximize their potential - while also supporting workforce development.”