NEWS & UPDATES. Volcano House begins to return from much anticipated renovation and upgrades. Spring 2013

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1 NEWS & UPDATES Spring 2013 Oahu Lotus Honolulu Maui Hotel Wailea Maui Hawaii Island Volcano House Oahu Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki Aqua Bamboo Waikiki Aqua Ilikai Hotel & Suites Aqua Palms Waikiki Aqua Queen Kapiolani Aqua Skyline at Island Colony Aqua Waikiki Joy Aqua Waikiki Pearl Aqua Waikiki Wave Park Shore Waikiki Kauai Aqua Kauai Beach Resort Molokai Aqua Hotel Molokai Lanai Aqua Hotel Lanai Oahu Ewa Hotel Waikiki Maile Sky Court Pagoda Hotel Polynesian Plaza White Sands Hotel Volcano House begins to return from much anticipated renovation and upgrades Special rates at historic Volcano House, on Hawai i Island, were recently announced in celebration of its highly anticipated opening. The first of the newly renovated rooms are done and the special soft opening rates are available for a limited time while final renovations continue in the public spaces scheduled to open in early June. Early bird rates are effective now May 31 for: Crater View Rooms at $200 per night and Nāmakanipaio Cabins at $55 per night. The National Park Service recently spent $4M in retrofitting and safety upgrades and an additional $2.5M $3M are being invested by owners, Ortega Family Enterprises, to renovate and refurbish this unique hotel located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guest rooms feature upgraded furnishings and amenities. Aerial image courtesy NPS The early bird rates present an opportunity to be one of the first to experience the new Volcano House and the unique environment of Hawai i Volcanoes National Park. Retail space is already open with gifts and snack items available for sale, while other public spaces and outlets, including the restaurant with spectacular panoramic views of steaming Halema uma u Crater, will open in early June. For reservations, see your preferred travel agent or call or Maui Maui Beach Hotel Kauai Kauai Sands Hotel

2 Top row King bed detail, Volcano House exterior and gift shop Second row One of the cabins at Nāmaikapono Campground, cabin interior, camp grounds Third row Hawai i Volcanoes National Park entrance and Kīlauea Visitor Center Bottom row Halema uma u Crater from the Jaggar Museum Spring Page 2

3 Congratulations to Elizabeth Churchill Recently, Elizabeth Churchill, Senior VP Sales & Marketing, Aqua Hospitality was recognized by two of Hawaii s leading business publications. 20 for the Next 20: People to Watch 2013 Each year, Hawaii Business magazine selects 20 emerging leaders who have already made big contributions to Hawaii and are expected to have an even greater impact over the next two decades. Below is an excerpt of what Aqua s founder, Mike Paulin, had to say: Aqua Hotels & Resorts founder and director Mike Paulin told Elizabeth Churchill that if she slept on the job before all else, everything would fall into place. She did, and it has. Beth spent many days and nights experiencing Aqua s service delivery as a secret shopper, so she came on board well prepared for the task of generating broad brand recognition, says Paulin. It led to an unprecedented expansion of inventory during Hawaii s deepest tourism decline on record. Paulin says Churchill s leadership resulted in a complete rebranding of his hotel group, tripling the number of rooms it oversees, multiplying Aqua s earnings many times and creating job security for 1,500 employees. Paulin says Churchill s accomplishments include renaming The Edition as The Modern Honolulu, transforming the former W hotel into the Lotus Honolulu with better returns, rescuing the iconic Ilikai Hotel and transitioning Wailea s failed Diamond Resort into the hip Hotel Wailea. For the first three years, Churchill says, she worked six days a week and never took a day of vacation. She sees the team she created as key to her success. I m not a micro-manager. I really love and appreciate smart, creative people, she says. I try to find people with the same sense of fulfillment. Paulin says Churchill s team came mainly from outside the hotel industry, which lets Aqua provide a leading-edge e-commerce commitment to its hotel owners. In the process, several of Aqua s ownership groups have made multiple hotel purchases, leveraging the expertise and real-time results of Beth s team, he says Women-to-Watch Recently, Elizabeth was named one of 2013 Women-to-Watch by Pacific Business News. It was is part of PBN s 15th Annual Women Who Mean Business awards and a new category. The ten winners were selected for having made significant contributions to the overall success of their company. Each demonstrated going above and beyond what is expected of them in any situation, leadership potential and an outstanding work ethic. Awards will be presented on April 25. Spring Page 3

4 Aqua in the house Fun Sun / Thomas Cook Winter Show 2013 in Calgary At the show were L-R Bruce Lidberg / Director of Sales, Thomas Cook; John Dailey / Aqua and Jeff Carpenter / Business Development Manager, Thomas Cook Team members welcome Tim Xiong, new China GSA Standing L-R Dan Bayne, Val Reyes, LeeAnn Isobe, Chris Ching, Ben Rafter, Elizabeth Churchill and Will Song Sitting L-R Peter Sheehan, Phil Egan, Tim Xiong and Nick Morley Aqua Hospitality sm celebrates Earth Day with green property upgrades and donations to an ocean non-profit Aqua Hospitality sm is doing their part to care for the ocean via room reservation donations to Hui o Koolaupoko, an organization whose mission is to protect ocean health. One dollar from each reservation booked on Earth Day (Monday, April 22, 2013) goes toward helping Hui o Koolaupoko's programs for monitoring ocean conditions and watershed health by working with various stakeholders on natural resource coordination and community education. Bookings for April 22 can be for stays at any of Aqua's hotels and no minimum number of room nights is required. "We are very supportive of Hui o Koolaupoko's mission to protect ocean health," said Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua's senior vice president of sales & marketing. "As a company with 24 hotels in Hawaii, water is an intrinsic part of our culture. Hui o Koolaupoko does excellent work to protect our waters." Two examples of Aqua's enhancement projects benefitting the environment include: Aqua Kauai Beach Resort recently installed an extensive array of solar panels. The solar installation consists of approximately 2,400 photovoltaic panels and is projected to save almost 100,000 kilowatt hours per month - equivalent to annual greenhouse gas emissions for 167 passenger vehicles or the amount of energy needed to power 120 homes for a year. Other environmental-friendly initiatives include an amplified Recycling Program that encompasses metal, paper, plastic, cardboard, e-recycling and aluminum cans, and an enhanced Waste Removal Program that will utilize grease traps, capture and dispose of batteries and convert food waste into pig food for delivery to Kauai sties. Since beginning its effort in 2007, the Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki has reduced its annual electrical consumption by 301,440 KWHs. This reflects a savings of $90,000 per year. Its programs include various recycling and water conservation efforts, as well as an Electronic Room Key Sensor program, drought-resistant plants and non-illuminated building signage. The property also recycles old towels to a local car wash and the Humane Society, and recycles paints to Restore Our Community Kalihi Area - a volunteer group that wipes out unwelcomed graffiti. Congratulations to Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki for being named recipient of the Governor s Hawaii Green Business Award, The award will be presented at a ceremony in the Governor s office on April 26. Spring Page 4

5 Aqua Hospitality sm offers meetings for all budgets with creation of three hotel divisions With the recent restructuring of its 24-property group into three distinctive hotel divisions, Aqua Hospitality offers groups stylish accommodations and meeting space to suit any budget. Through its new Monogram, Aqua and Lite Hotel divisions, meetings in Hawaii can be as over-the-top or paired down as the occasion demands. What s more, groups will find each property boasts a unique personality with distinct accommodations, spaces and services that are far from ordinary. When planning a meeting in Hawaii, groups can choose from Aqua Hospitality s three new divisions that reflect the unique characteristics of its major market segments luxury seekers of customized experiences, value and adventureoriented guests and budget-conscious travelers. These divisions include: MONOGRAM HOTEL COLLECTION SM represents an elite group of stand-alone and independent hotels and resorts providing a highly personalized experience. Each hotel has a distinct identity and is unique in personality, environment and design. All properties offer a boutique experience and promise to be the highlight of any getaway. AQUA HOTELS AND RESORTS offers stylish, mid-priced hotels that present excellent value and lifestyle services rooted in Hawaii s rich cultural traditions. Savvy travelers will appreciate the added services that make a stay at Aqua Hotels and Resorts fun, convenient and positively practical. LITE HOTELS SM is a group of eclectic, economy hotels that appeal to budget-minded travelers. These guests are seeking the most bang for their buck and appreciate the fundamentals service, convenience and cleanliness. Aqua s hotels are anything but cookie cutter, said Elizabeth Churchill, senior vice president of sales and marketing. From the high-end to our value-oriented properties, each offers a one-of-a-kind experience that guests won t find elsewhere. One example of the individuality found in the Aqua collection is Aqua Queen Kapiolani Hotel. With a location directly across from Diamond Head, this property features exclusive views of the famed crater from guest rooms and outdoor event space. At the opposite end of Waikiki is Aqua Ilikai Hotel & Suites, which fronts the picturesque Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and offers phenomenal views from a penthouse restaurant on the 26 th floor. Other properties offer unique spaces and lounge areas, some even with kitchenettes, which are ideal for small group functions or as informal gathering places. On the neighbor islands, Hotel Wailea Maui s Anuhea Room is a standout offering high ceilings, hardwood floors, beautiful stonewalls and views of both cascading waterfalls and the Pacific Ocean. The property also has various outdoor function areas that boast panoramic views from the Wailea hillside. At the Hawaiian plantation-style Aqua Kauai Beach Resort, groups not only have access to an 8,600 square-foot ballroom, meeting rooms and restaurant spaces on-site, but also beautifully landscaped outdoor areas complete with manicured lawns, picturesque waterfalls and lush tropical vistas. The resort's recently expanded Shutter's Lounge outdoor patio area, complete with fire pit, is another popular gathering area. In addition to the three new divisions, Aqua Hospitality also been making its properties more enticing to groups through an aggressive renovation program across its collection with over $55 million in projects completed or slated for this year. The comprehensive improvements range from lobbies to rooms to meeting space, as well as green initiatives that help to reduce the company s carbon footprint and utility costs. Our properties are being refreshed, renewed and reinvented to provide our guests with a Hawaii experience that exceeds their expectations whether here for a high-powered board meeting or leisurely escape, says Churchill. Aqua has combined its innovative, service-oriented hotel operations with deep analytical capabilities, a tech-savvy marketing approach and worldwide sales effort to become a top choice for meeting planners and travelers from across the globe. Spring Page 5

6 New hotel photos to share Kauai Sands Hotel This 206-room hotel offers oceanfront accommodations without the hefty price tag. Situated on six acres of lush lawns and tropical gardens, guests can stroll the white sand beach, jog along a private oceanside path or soak up the sun at two outdoor swimming pools. A mile-long beach on Kauai s Coconut Coast fronts the hotel which is just two miles from historic Kapaa Town. Whether planning on kayaking the Na Pali Coast, exploring Wailua River and Fern Grotto or discovering Kauai beaches, landmarks and shopping centers nearby, Kauai Sands Hotel offers the ideal east Kauai location. Comfortable and spacious rooms include islandstyle décor, private lanais and choice of Mountain, Garden, Pool or Ocean views. Just minutes from Waikiki, Pagoda Hotel has been a family favorite for generations. The Pagoda s famous Koi Ponds and Japanese Garden with cascading waterfalls provide a sense of harmony in the in the heart of bustling Honolulu. The awardwinning Pagoda Floating Restaurant, featuring a blend of Eastern, Western and Hawaiian flavors, offers an unforgettable dining experience in a garden resort setting. Pagoda Hotel offers a variety of affordable hotel types to fit all needs. From moderate guest rooms to studios and one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes, each of the 359 rooms is spacious, fully appointed and furnished with classic Hawaiian prints. Pagoda Hotel offers superior value with its affordable rates and comfortable rooms. Pagoda s spacious banquet and meeting spaces also make it a popular hotel for special events. Spring Page 6

7 Aqua Bamboo Waikiki recently started offering complimentary Hawaiian cultural activities. Artisans also share history about the crafts during the activities. Kapa Printing (Tuesdays, 11:00am-12:00pm) and Lei Making (Thursdays, 11am-12pm). Aqua Bamboo Waikiki was recently the location for the Hawaii RED Style preview event. International fashion blogger of Face Hunter, Yvan Rodic (with lei) at their weekly manager s reception on March 28. Quick Hotel Updates Hula Shores Restaurant at the Aqua Hotel Molokai is anticipated to reopen in Fall The rest of the hotel is fully operational. FREE Continental Breakfast has been EXTENDED for all stays through August 31,2013. The Continental Breakfast is available from 6:00 am - 10:00 am daily in the lobby and includes assorted fruits, pastries, and coffee. Property enhancements at Aqua Waikiki Joy is scheduled to begin in August. The full renovation work is expected to be completed by mid The popular Art & Wine Thursdays continue at Kaua i Beach Resort. The featured wines for the next six months are listed in the flyer to the left. addresses for home office members have changed in conjunction with our re-branding and transition from Aqua Hotels & Resorts to Aqua Hospitality. Sample new rharlow@aquahospitality.com Spring Page 7

8 Aqua Skyline at Island Colony blessing Spring Page 8

9 Recent Promotions and New Faces... Elizabeth Churchill Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing Robin Harlow Senior Director of Sales Evelyn Shiroma, promoted to Director of Property Sales and Rev. for Aqua Waikiki Wave & Aqua Waikiki Pearl Shiroma has more than 20 years of travel experience including management positions at ResortQuest Waikiki Beach, Outrigger Waikiki Hotel and Bally s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Shiroma received her B.S. from Hawaii Pacific University. Lisa Bankston Corporate Director of Online Marketing Most recently, Bankston was with JCPenney s Digital Ventures Division where she was Director of Digital Marketing. Bankston has a BA in Economics from Johnson C. Smith University and an MBA in Int l Business from George Washington University. Steve Velez Sales Manager Prior to Aqua, Steve worked at Apple Vacations, Riu Hotels and Resorts Mexico and Sandals Hotels and Resorts representing Sandals, Beaches, Royal Plantation and Grand Pineapple Resorts Steve resides in Santa Clara. John Dailey Director of Sales - Domestic & International jdailey@aquahospitality.com Daniel Bayne Director of Sales - Corporate & Retail dbayne@aquahospitality.com June Nozoe Director of Sales & Marketing - Asia jnozoe@aquahospitality.com Nicole Darity Director of Sales - Military & Government ndarity@aquahospitality.com Myna Eheler Sales Manager - Groups meheler@aquahospitality.com Steve Velez Sales Manager svelez@aquahospitality.com Laci Goshi Contract Sales Manager lterry@aquahospitality.com Darla DeCoito Benefits and Wellness Manager Darla comes from Catholic Charities Hawaii. Prior to that she worked in HR and Benefits at The Home Depot, Bank of Hawaii, and Island Title Corporation. Darla attended Leeward Community College and is a member of SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management). Dennis Hall, promoted to Director of IT Dennis manages a team that is responsible for supporting all computer systems at Aqua s Home Office as well as at all of their hotels throughout the State. Dennis has been with Aqua since 2006 and was most recently Manager of IT. Spring Page 9 Hilmy Dole, promoted to GM, Kauai Sands Hotel Hilmy joined Aqua in June as Hotel Manager for the 206-room beachfront Kauai Sands Hotel. Dole has had a long history with Kauai, having opened the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in Hilmy Dole studied at the University of Hawaii majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Paul Yuen, promoted to Manager of IT Most recently, Paul was Aqua s Network Administrator. Prior to joining Aqua, Paul worked for Integration Technologies and with etechs Hawaii as Managing Engineer. He has an Associates Degree from Heald College in CIT. Jennifer Choi. Director of Finance, Aqua Kauai Beach Resort Prior Aqua she worked at Marriott International in California and for Rancho Valencia Resort in Rancho Santa Fe, CA and at Montage Beverly Hills. Choi earned her B.A. with a major in Economics from San Diego State University. WORLDWIDE GENERAL SALES AGENTS AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND Travel Reflections phone: aqua@travelreflections.com.au UNITED KINGDOM First Public Relations phone: /5 aqua@firstpr.co.uk JAPAN Access Inc. phone: aqua@access-jp.jp CHINA Aloha Consultant Company phone: timxacc@gmail.com KOREA: Pacific Air Agency Group phone: aqua@paagrp.co.kr Evelyn Shiroma Director of Property Sales & Revenue Aqua Waikiki Wave & Aqua Waikiki Pearl eshiroma@aquaresorts.com Luana Kekaula-Castillo Sales Manager - Maile Sky Court lkekaula@aquaresorts.com Karen Yonemoto Sales Manager Pagoda Hotel, White Sands Hotel, Ewa Hotel Waikiki kyonemoto@aquaresorts.com Janice Ishihara Director of Sales Aqua Kauai Beach Resort jishihara@aquaresorts.com Ann Ikuta Sales & Events Manager Hotel Wailea Maui aikuta@hotelwailea.com Keith York Senior Director of Revenue Management kyork@aquahospitality.com Angela Byun Director of Reservations abyun@aquahospitality.com LeeAnn Isobe Corporate Director of Offline Marketing lisobe@aquahospitality.com Lisa Bankston Corporate Director of Online Marketing lbankston@aquahospitality.com