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News for the Hospitality Executive |
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 HONOLULU –
Kokua Hospitality, management firm of the Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki,
today
announced the appointment of Bonnie Kiyabu as general manager of the
property.Kiyabu takes on the responsibility of running the 451-room Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki as the property is in the midst of undergoing some exciting changes, highlighted by a complete renovation over the next year and its rebranding as a Hyatt Place Hotel later this fall. “We feel that Bonnie Kiyabu is exactly the kind of experienced and energetic leader that we need to guide the Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki during this key juncture of transition and renovation,” said Phil Tufano, partner and executive vice president of operations for Kokua Hospitality. “At the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, she proved herself to be a rising star in Hawaii’s lodging industry who was more than ready to run a major hotel property as a general manager. Along with her extensive hotel experience, we appreciate the fact that she was well-liked and respected by her colleagues and that she is deeply committed to Hawaii’s culture and to the betterment of the community, all of which makes her the ideal leader to run our hotel.” Before joining Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki last month, Kiyabu had spent her entire career at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, starting there in 1976. In the ensuing years, she worked her way up through management and most recently served as executive assistant manager since 1999. The position put her in charge of more than 400 associates and numerous responsibilities, including guest services, concierge services, front office, housekeeping, security, and spa operations. Kiyabu says her years of experience at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa has prepared her perfectly for her new role as general manager of Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki. “My career goal was to become a hotel general manager and I couldn’t have asked for a better situation to start out, especially with all the plans and changes for improvements taking shape and the supportive and hard-working team of associates I am working with,” said Kiyabu. “The Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki is a wonderful property in a beautiful setting that is only going to become more special as we transform its rebranding and complete the refurbishments. Our guests are going to be very happy with the end results.” A Kamehameha Schools graduate, Kiyabu is active in the Waikiki community and has volunteered her time to support numerous improvement and fundraising efforts for nonprofit organizations and events, including the Waikiki Community Center, Visitor Industry Charity Walk, and Aloha Week festivities. Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki is at 175 Paoakalani Avenue, a short one-block walk from Waikiki Beach and conveniently located near popular visitor attractions like Kapiolani Park, the Honolulu Zoo, and Waikiki Aquarium. The property’s renovation is expected to be finished in spring 2012, with highlights including a complete refurbishment of the guestrooms, the pool deck and the lobby area. About Kokua Hospitality, LLC Kokua Hospitality, LLC, is a hotel management firm founded by its parent, The Chartres Lodging Group, LLC, with the mandate to become the operator of choice for strategic institutional and select private lodging investors by producing superior results as turnaround specialists. Created by veteran lodging investment and management experts to appeal to an investor’s sensibility, Kokua Hospitality blends best-in-class operating practices with an owner’s DNA. Kokua Hospitality manages a growing portfolio of hotels and resorts nationwide. For more information on Kokua Hospitality, please visit http://www.kokuahospitality.com/ and follow us on Twitter @kokuahotels and http://kokuahospitality.wordpress.com/. |
| Contact:
Patrick Dugan Senior Vice President McNeil Wilson Communications (808) 539-3411 / (808) 741-2712 [email protected] |