Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association to honor hospitality industry’s finest

Hawaiʻi Island Chapter of Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association will host its inaugural No Ka ʻOi Hospitality Awards at the beginning of next week, honoring exceptional hospitality professionals who represent the very best of Hawaiʻi Island’s visitor industry.

The awards luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 15, at Waikōloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, located at 69-275 Waikōloa Beach Drive, in Waikōloa.

Awards will be presented to employees representing a wide range of departments, including front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, maintenance and management.

Honorees demonstrated outstanding service, leadership, professionalism and a steadfast commitment to delivering authentic Hawaiian hospitality. They were nominated by hotels and lodging properties from around the island.

The awards program celebrates the people whose dedication helps create memorable visitor experiences while strengthening one of the island’s most important economic drivers.

“The Hawaiʻi Island No Ka ʻOi Awards truly reflect the heart of our visitor industry, and we are delighted to be hosting this inaugural event to celebrate the individuals who bring this industry to life,” said Four Seasons Resort Hualālai Regional Vice President and General Manager and Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association Hawaiʻi Island Chapter Chairperson Charlie Parker in announcing the upcoming awards. “We are so pleased with the number of nominees whose names have been put forward, demonstrating the tremendous talent, dedication and aloha that our industry has to offer.”

The luncheon will also include a special tribute to Mufi Hannemann, honoring his retirement as president and chief executive officer of Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association and his longstanding contributions to Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry.

“No Ka ʻOi” means “the very best,” and these awards honor the hospitality professionals who embody excellence in service and the spirit of aloha.

From welcoming guests and maintaining guest rooms to preparing meals and leading teams, these dedicated employees are the backbone of Hawaiʻi Island’s hospitality industry and play a critical role in shaping the visitor experience.