Hawai’i Vacation Condos by OUTRIGGER (HVC)
HVC Squad Making Waves for a Cleaner Beach
BY SO’O TANA – Recently, our team joined forces with the AOAO Waikīkī Shore management squad for our second Beach Clean-Up Day together. This ongoing initiative continues to support our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts.
OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort (OKB)
OKB Team Hosts Lahainaluna Football Senior Dinner … The OUTRIGGER Way
CHRIS PINO – The coaches of the Lahainaluna Football team reached out to me to pass along the “biggest mahalo” to OKB general manager Edwin Torres and the OKB ‘ohana for the hospitality they showed them at the senior dinner on Friday, October 25, 2024.
They were so grateful and amazed on how Edwin and our hosts shared so much Aloha to the boys and coaches, and that means so much to me. Mahalo for starting this new tradition with Lahainaluna and for the continuous support. Imua Lunas!!!
“These kids are so amazing, and we love to support them,” said Torres. “I have never been called uncle as much as I did that night! And they took the ballons we made for them to display at Saturday’s televised game.”
Note: Chris Pino, OUTRIGGER safety and security risk manager, is a former collegiate and professional football player and also was a football coach at Lahainaluna High School.
OUTRIGGER Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa (KBR)
KBR Hosts Build Honor Wall for Survivors and to Remember Loved Ones
BY KELTON ANCHETA – The KBR ‘ohana proudly participated in “Think Pink” for October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To make a strong impact, all hosts and managers wore pink ribbons throughout the week and came together in pink attire on Aloha Friday. Chelsea Fernandez, Purchasing Manager, Jodi Omo-Hashimoto, Front Office Manager, and our dedicated Housekeeping Hosts collaborated to create a stunning lobby display featuring “I Wear Pink For…” trees and an Honor Wall in the hosts’ cafeteria. This heartfelt installation honors survivors and remembers our loved ones. Guests were invited to participate by writing on an ornament for the “I Wear Pink For…” trees in honor of survivors and loved ones.
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa (OKR)
OKR Team Continues to Care for Kahalu’u Bay
BY FRANCINE MOLINA – On October 24, 2024, we celebrated another successful “ReefTeach” event, where we came together to “Clean the Beach” and give back to our community. The afternoon was filled with camaraderie as we worked to keep our coral reefs healthy and thriving.
Kahalu’u Bay, a beautiful destination that attracts over 400,000 visitors each year, is a vital ecosystem that needs our protection. ReefTeach is a volunteer-powered program dedicated to educating both visitors and residents on how to prevent damage to corals and protect local marine life. By raising awareness, we aim to foster a deeper appreciation for these fragile ecosystems.
We are proud to announce that OUTRIGGER is the only organization to regularly partner with ReefTeach. It is truly rewarding to work for a company that prioritizes initiatives like this. Our participation is not just encouraged; we are also compensated for our time, allowing us to engage in community activations year-round.
Together, we are making a positive impact on our environment and ensuring the health of our coral reefs for generations to come.
OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort (MAM)
MAM Team Earns Seal of Approval from the Manta Trust
BY SANYA SHANTANU SHETE – I’m thrilled to share some fantastic news, OUTRIGGER Maafushivaru has been officially approved as a sustainable manta tour operator by Manta Trust! This recognition highlights our commitment to protecting these magnificent creatures while offering our guests an unforgettable experience.
By adhering to the Manta Trust Code of Conduct, we ensure that all of our manta excursions are conducted with the utmost respect and care for the wildlife and their environment. To learn more, check out this great website, How to Swim with Manta Rays.
Coral Planting Session with Maamigili School: From Learners to Leaders
Our recent coral education event was an impactful time, designed to inspire the young minds of Maamigili School with hands-on ocean conservation training that creates lasting change. Held on our island, the enthusiasm was contagious, with even guests passing by stopping to watch and cheer on these future ocean advocates.
In preparation, I crafted a Coral Handbook packed with engaging information about coral reefs and the incredible biodiversity they support. It included interactive activities like “Design Your Own Reef” and “A Call for Action,” which encouraged each student to make a personalized sign to protect the reefs, allowing them to express their creativity and commitment to ocean conservation.
Then came the highlight: the coral planting! Before the students arrived, I carefully gathered “corals of opportunity” (COO) beneath our overwater villas – fragments naturally broken from the reef that can be nurtured back to health. The kids were thrilled to attach these coral pieces to our custom-designed turtle frame, as well as two other frames, carefully placing the fragments while discovering tiny crabs and other marine life nestled within them.
After planting, I gave the students a brief but exciting introduction to coral monitoring techniques. With coral charts, vernier calipers, and dive slates in hand, they practiced logging data and got a real taste of the scientific side of coral restoration.
We concluded this meaningful day with a “Save the Reef” cake and traditional Maldivian snacks, a sweet ending to a day that truly turned learners into leaders of the sea.
