Kelly Hoen leaving The Modern to manage Outrigger Group

The appointment of long-time Hawaii hotel executive Kelly Hoen to area general manger for Outrigger Enterprises Group, completes a major transition which began last year when the chain announced the departures of two high-profile hotel executives and a reorganization following the sale of the formerly family-owned company to Denver-based KSL Capital Partners.

Hoen is leaving The Modern Honolulu to become area general manager for Outrigger, which includes oversight of the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort and Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort. Hoen also will serve as Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort’s on-property general manager.

“Kelly’s track record for successfully repositioning hotels and resorts in Hawaii is unrivaled; her breadth of expertise and passion for excellence provide immense value for Outrigger as we undergo our Waikiki reinvestment and redevelopment strategy,” said Paul Richardson, chief operating officer of Outrigger Enterprises Group.

Hoen’s appointment continues a major reorganization for the chain that begun last year when the departure of long-time Outrigger executives Barry Wallace and Dean Nakasone were announced. The chain’s sale late last year resulted in the departure of all Kelley family members, save for former president and CEO David Carey, who left that position in February and now serves in a home-based advisory role. Carey was replaced by Scott Dalecio, co-founder and CEO of KSL Resorts.

Hoen, who is was formerly with Starwood and is currently serving as general manager at The Modern Honolulu, will leave there May 26. She will assist in the property’s transition to Douglas Rucker, a former Maui and Florida hotelier, who starts immediately as the property’s managing director.

“We are excited to welcome Douglas to The Modern Honolulu family,” said Eric Hamaguchi, The Modern Honolulu’s business development and government relations director. “Douglas has the broad expertise in hospitality industry management that will ensure The Modern Honolulu continues to deliver on our brand promise as Honolulu’s only full-service modern luxury, lifestyle hotel.”

Rucker was general manager of Aston Hotels & Resorts Hawaii’s The Whaler on Ka‘anapali Beach in Lahaina, Maui. Most recently, he was Managing Director of Human Hospitality Advisors, a consortium of hospitality consultants.