A driver at the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas received top honors during the annual Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association’s Na Poe Paahana (the hardworking people) statewide luncheon held Thursday at the Sheraton Waikiki.
Wayne English took home the Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year award. Daniel Spracklen of Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk and Hiroe Yanagisawa of the Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, were honored as second- and third-place winners in the same category. At the event, which drew 850 people, it was said that English was chosen for his exceptional professionalism, superlative service and commitment to giving back to the community.
"His notable acts of kindness and compassion continue, even after seven years of service at this Maui resort," wrote Sasha Tanaka, human resource manager for the Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas, who nominated English for the award. "Without a doubt, he is most deserving of the Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year award."
Workers in eight other categories were also recognized. Sheri DeCosta of the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows took home the Manager of the Year award, while the Halekulani’s Francisco Hernandez earned second place and Liezl Oandasan of Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa came in third.
The Kahala Hotel & Resort’s Mederic Brown was named Housekeeper of the Year, followed by Roger Deuz of the Sheraton Waikiki and Saipele Siatini of the Hokele Suites Waikiki.
John Salcedo of the Sheraton Waikiki was named Food & Beverage Person of the Year along with the second-place winner Felix Chiang of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and third-place honoree Dennis Harney of Turtle Bay Resort.
The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas’ Samuel Saribay was named Engineering/Maintenance Person of the Year. Also honored in that category were second-place winner Gilbert Salmon Jr. of the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and third-place honoree Henry Cocker of the Sheraton Waikiki.
Florence Dela Cruz of the Aston at the Executive Centre Hotel earned the title Front Office Person of the Year. Cecilia Richardson of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, took second, and third place went to June Tsukayama of the Waikiki Resort Hotel.
Sheraton Waikiki’s Frederick Cadorna was named Bell/Valet Person of the Year, while Leslie Tanabe of the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and Todd Ikeda of the Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, were honored with second- and third-place wins.
Chris Brown of the Sheraton Waikiki was given the title Security Officer of the Year. Runell Bajet of the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and Brycen Campos of the Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons, Kalanipuu, were honored in the same category for second- and third-place wins.
The Orchid Lei Co. was named the Allied Member of the Year for its support of Hawaii’s visitor industry and the community.
Recipients of the industry contest, which has been running for 25 years, are selected based on nominations submitted by their supervisors and co-workers. They are judged for their service to lodging guests, co-workers and the community.
"We congratulate Wayne and all the winners on this outstanding achievement in being named the best of the best in our industry," said George Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association. "Our winners and finalists all contribute to making Hawaii such a special place."
