Ride the Storm: Navigating Through Unstable Periods / Katerina Rudko (Belka G...
2010 AQUA'S EOY NEWSLETTER
1. 2011 + E-O-Y 2010
Oahu: Aqua Aloha Surf & Spa, Aqua
Bamboo & Spa, Aqua Palms & Spa,
Aqua Waikiki Pearl, Aqua Waikiki
Wave, Best Westerrn Coconut Waikiki
Hotel, Ilikai Hotel & Suites, Island
Colony Hotel, Maile Sky Court, Pagoda
Hotel, Park Shore Waikiki, Queen
Kapi‘olani Hotel
Maui: Hotel Wailea Maui
Molokai: Aqua Hotel Molokai
Lanai: Hotel Lanai
Kauai: Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Aqua introducing new “beach boutique” campaign in 2011
Known for carving out the boutique hotel niche in Hawaii
several years ago, Aqua Hotels is further differentiating
the brand by introducing the new “beach boutique”
concept in early 2011.
No doubt about it, Hawaii is a sun, sand and surf
destination … and guests want and appreciate when
hotels provide beach amenity items for their use while
here. To accommodate their wishes, Aqua will have
custom logo beach items available for use during
their stay.
The beach boutique concept will roll out first with beach
towels (concept at right), followed by sand chairs, etc.
Aqua Beach Boutique Hotels offer beach amenities,
stylish rooms and extreme value. Resort hotels offer
lifestyle services and amenities without the luxury price
tag. Lite hotels are the best bet for your budget.
Out and About …
Pictured from left to right – Ken Pomerantz, MLT
President and Chief Marketing Officer, Karishma
Chowfin and Robin Harlow with Aqua Hotels and
Larry Chestler, MLT President and Chief Operating
Officer.
Aqua Waikiki Wave and Maile Sky Court were
honored with the 2010 MLT Vacations Quality
Assurance Award presented at MLT University in
St. Paul, Minnesota on Sunday, September 12,
2010.
Top to bottom: Aqua Aloha Surf &
Spa, Aqua Bamboo & Spa, Aqua MLT Vacations Quality Assurance Award
Waikiki Pearl, Aqua Palms & Spa, Ilikai Robin Harlow (center ) with Christine Klein, HTA recognizes hotels that achieve 99% customer
Hotel & Suites, Hotel Wailea Maui Account Manager (right) and Anke Sponer, HTA satisfaction index and 99% product delivery
General Manager at HTA’s Up N Over Europe performance with a minimum of 100
show in October 2010 bookings.
2. 2010 News Highlights
Aqua Waikiki Wave Housekeeper, Leticia Gamiao, named Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year by the
Hawaii Hotel Association
Aqua Waikiki Pearl announces opening of new shops and stores: L-R Seastar 8.4.23, Veggie Star Natural Foods,
Pack & Mail and MixMix 411 Outlet.
Hotel Wailea offers two ‘active-lifestyle’ packages:
Kiteboarding Adventure and a Family Paddleboarding
package … “We attract energetic, health-minded
travelers who will find that these packages agree with
their preference for the outdoors and active lifestyle plus
they can each be booked on an individual basis and
tailored to meet their vacation agenda,” said General
Manager Markus Schale.
Kaua‘i Beach Resort celebrates new identity with introductory special and cultural events … Aqua assumed
management of the hotel in July 2009 and added sales and marketing services as of January 2010.
Aqua welcomes Hotel Lanai … the addition of Hotel Lanai became effective
May 1, 2010. Photos on page 3.
Best Western Coconut Waikiki ranked as one of ‘World’s Best’ on Expedia’s
Insiders Select List. The list formally recognizes individual hotels, from all over the
world, which consistently deliver excellent service, great overall experience and great
value. The full list represents only a small percentage of the world’s top hotels from the
more than 110,000 hotel properties offered on Expedia.
Leticia Gamiao wins national AHLA Award … Leticia Gamiao captured
the award for "Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year" - medium-size
property in the nation-wide competition held by the American Hotel and
Lodging Association (AHLA). Gamiao won the award after a 50-state
competition which included hundreds of thousands of hotel employee
nominations. She is a 12-year Aqua employee.
Pictured at right: Leticia, front, was surrounded by (clockwise from left) Flora
Bumanglag, Exec. Housekeeper; Richard Mandel – President, Ramsfield
Real Estate; Ben Rafter – Aqua President & CEO; Mike Paulin – Aqua
Chairman & Founder and Lynette Eastman, Area GM.
Aqua Waikiki Wave and Maile Sky Court receive 2010 Quality
Assurance Awards from MLT Vacations. Photo on page 1.
Aqua welcomes Queen Kapi‘olani … the 312-room Queen Kapi‘olani
Hotel was added to Aqua’s Waikīkī portfolio on December 1. Photos on page 3.
Pagoda embarks on new beginning as part of Aqua’s portfolio … The 359-room landmark Honolulu hotel, with its
one-of-a-kind design and unique appeal, gears up for a great 2011 under Aqua’s watchful eye.
Photos on page 3.
Page 2 … 2011 + EOY 2010 Contact: sandiyaracommunications@gmail.com
3. Photo gallery of the three hotels added in 2010
“Along with Hotel Molokai and Hotel Wailea Maui, the addition of
Hotel Lanai (top and left photos) distinguishes Aqua as the only hotel
company with properties on each of the three islands making up Maui
County,” said Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua’s VP Sales & Marketing. “The
island of Lanai offers travelers a wide range of unique experiences and
we’re thrilled to offer Hotel Lanai to visitors seeking out this island.”
“Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel (below) has broad appeal and is perfect for
families, groups and golfers – to name a few key travel segments,”
remarked Elizabeth Churchill, VP Sales & Marketing for Aqua. “We
are developing packages that will attract a diversified group of
consumers to this iconic hotel and in doing so, hope to create
Waikīkī’s most Hawaiian hotel.”
“Aqua’s sales and marketing team
has come up with suggestions for
specials and promotions that will
be appealing to a variety of market
segments including kamaaina and
groups,” remarked Elizabeth
Churchill, Aqua’s VP Sales &
Marketing. “Pagoda Hotel (left)
has plenty to offer consumers and
we’re excited to be marketing this
unique property.”
Page 3 … 2011 + EOY 2010 Contact: sandiyaracommunications@gmail.com
4. New faces at Aqua
Patrick Ahler Matthew Pickett Janice Ishihara June Nozoe
Senior eCommerce Resort Manager, Director of Sales, Director of Sales &
Analyst Kaua‘i Beach Resort Kaua‘i Beach Resort Marketing - Asia
.
What’s new?
Aqua’s all-property brochure is ‘hot off the presses’. On the left is a
sample page. It includes:
Hotel star rating (based on Aqua standards)
Brief description of the hotel
List of resort / hotel amenities
Hotel photo
List of room categories with bed type and square feet
Mailing address
Phone and fax numbers
Web address
GDS booking options
If you would like a small supply, contact sokubo@aquaresorts.com.
Information is also available at www.aquaresorts.com.
Holiday food and goods drive
Left—Ben Rafter, Aqua President & CEO.
along with Aida and Mike Paulin, Aqua co-
owners, proudly display the food, clothing,
toys, goodies, cash & gift cards donated by
employees for the annual LOKAHI Giving
Project.
LOKAHI works hand-in-hand with over 200
non-profit agencies, shelters, group homes,
hospitals, churches, and schools to verify and
meet the needs of the most deserving families
and individuals.
Page 4 … 2011 + EOY 2010 Contact: sandiyaracommunications@gmail.com
5. Happy
New Year
from Aqua’s Sales, Marketing,
Revenue and Reservations ohana
Front Row/Sitting L to R:
Justin Nakaahiki-Marketing Manager; Luana Kekaula-Castillo-Sales Manager, Maile Sky Court; June Nozoe-Director of Sales
& Marketing-Asia; LeeAnn Isobe-Director of Marketing; Beth Churchill-VP of Sales & Marketing; Evelyn Shiroma-Sales
Manager, Aqua Waikiki Wave & Pearl; Amber Watt-Director of Internet Strategy
Back Row/Standing L to R:
Kehau Amorin-Senior Sales Manager; May Cabauatan-Revenue Manager; Patrick Ahler-Senior eCommerce Analyst;
Erik Yoshimoto-Revenue Clerk; Dan Bayne-Director of Sales-Groups; Angela Byun-Reservations Manager; Keith York-
Senior Director of Revenue; Myna Eheler-Contract Sales Manager; Jessica Rayneri-Internet Marketing Manager; Kainoa
Daines-Director of Sales, Queen Kapi‘olani Hotel; Robin Harlow-Regional Director of Sales; Debbie Tuaileva-Sales & Events
Manager, Pagoda Hotel; Karishma Chowfin-Sales Manager
Missing: Nick Morley, Revenue Analyst; Ann Ikuta-Sales & Events Manager, Hotel Wailea Maui; Janice Ishihara, Director of
Sales, Kaua‘i Beach Resort
Page 5 … 2011 + EOY 2010 Editor: Sandi Yara, sandiyaracommunications@gmail.com