HONOLULU (September 2, 1997) - Aston Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Robert "Lopaka" Mansfield as general manager of Waimea Plantation Cottages on Kauai.

"I hope to continue to the tradition of gracious hospitality and foster a spirit of aloha among staff and guests," Mansfield said. Waimea Plantation Cottages is a prime destination for the visitor who needs to get away and be immersed in serenity. Waimea Plantation Cottages also provides a venue where locals can meet visitors in an informal setting. The Grove Dining Room is ready for abbreviated food and beverage service coupled with small sales incentive meetings."

Mansfield brings more than 20 years of resort industry experience to his new position and has served in a variety of management capacities: executive assistant manager at Coco Palms on Kauai; front office manager at King Kamehameha Hotel on the Big Island; director of Kauai Museum; general manager of the Keauhou Beach Hotel; food and beverage manager at the National Park's El Tovar Lodge near the Grand Canyon; and most recently, general manager of the Islander on the Beach Hotel.

Owned by the Kikiaba Land Company, Ltd., Waimea Plantation Cottages offers guests a taste of "old Hawaii" with its authentically restored, sugar plantation workers' cottages and two grand plantation homes. Some of the cottages are named after their original owners. Furnished with period style pieces fashioned from koa wood, mahogany, rattan and wicker, the cottages were opened to the public in 1982 with the vision of providing a truly Hawaiian experience, with modern amenities added to the grace and charm of a bygone era.

Based in Honolulu, Aston Hotels & Resorts operates condominium resorts and hotels with more than 5,000 rooms on the four major Hawaiian islands. For more information, visit Aston's web site at http://www.aston-hotels.com or call (800) 922-7866 from the U.S. Mainland and Canada for reservations. From Hawaii, call (800) 321-2558. For group reservations, call (800) 336-5599. Aston's TDD telephone number is (800) 441-2344.

Contact:

David Sayre/Aubrey Hawk PR Works 444 Hobron Lane, 4th Floor Honolulu, HI 96815 Phone: (808)955-8411 Fax: (808) 942-4688