‘ILIMA HOTEL IN WAIKIKI RECEIVES AWARD FOR CULTURAL PROGRAM
WAIKIKI, OAHU, HAWAII – The family-owned ‘Ilima Hotel, located in the heart of Waikiki, was recently honored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority with the prestigious “Keep It Hawaii” Kahili Award, recognizing the property for its perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture through its 12-year-old “Mohalapua O ‘Ilima” program.
“We are thrilled and honored by this recognition,” says ‘Ilima General Manager Phil Sammer. “It reinforces our mission statement and our commitment to incorporate Hawaiian values into our daily business practices, making Hawaiian culture a natural part of our guests’ and employees’ experience at the hotel.”
The hotel began its Mohalapua O ‘Ilima (which means “blossoming ‘ilima flower”) Hawaiian studies program in 1995. The program involves classes for hotel employees taught by Hawaiian practitioners on such topics as Hawaiian music, hula, traditions and values, history, care of the ocean and land, and Hawaiian arts and crafts. Often the program includes a field trip to museums, historic sites, and tourist attractions to enhance staff’s knowledge of the island. Hotel guests occasionally join in, but the Mohalapua O ‘Ilima program is unique from other hotel cultural programs in that its foundation is directed primarily towards employees, rather than guests.
“We want our staff to feel attached and connected to the Hawaiian culture,” notes Sammer. “We’ve seen attitudes change through this program as employees embrace the meaning of true Hawaiian hospitality and learn to be good stewards of the native culture and land. This ultimately benefits our guests, as well.”
The ‘Ilima’s mission statement, created and adopted by the employees, evolved from the Mohalapua O ‘Ilima program: “Our essence is aloha; our way is service; our reward is ohana.” ‘Ilima employees (referred to as “hosts”) carry out this mission of aloha in a personal way, to the delight of hotel guests, who are treated as part of the ‘Ilima ohana (family). Monthly birthday celebrations take place at the hotel, complete with leis, cards and cake for hosts as well as guests, and occasional poolside gatherings are staged for guests and hosts to enjoy live Hawaiian entertainment together. On Christmas Eve, some of the staff and their families join hotel guests for a party in the hotel lobby. This gathering is completely voluntary and has become one of the most cherished evenings of the year.
Every Friday at 11:30 a.m., a group of ‘Ilima hosts performs a selection of Hawaiian songs in the lobby of the hotel, sometimes with guests joining in on their favorites. The ‘Ilima ‘Ohana Chorus, which rehearses once a week under the guidance of a Hawaiian musical director, occasionally performs at other events on the island, and in 2002 they were honored with First Place in the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association’s Hospitality Industry Song Contest.
The 98-unit ‘Ilima Hotel is located on a quiet street near the Ala Wai Canal, away from the crowds yet central to all the attractions of Waikiki, including Waikiki Beach--just two blocks away. The 17-story hotel prides itself on offering guests a peaceful ambiance, a friendly, accommodating staff, and the largest hotel rooms in Waikiki. The ‘Ilima offers all guests daily maid service, a 24-hour front desk, free local, toll-free and credit card phone calls, data phone jacks and voice mail, starter coffee kit in each room upon arrival, complimentary HBO and Disney channels, free morning newspapers daily, free limited parking, free wireless internet access in the lobby and a complimentary in-room gift of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts and fresh orchids. Free high-speed internet access is available in all deluxe units.
For more information or reservations, call toll-free 1-800-801-9366 from the neighbor islands, the continental U.S. and Canada; or direct (808) 923-1877. Reservations can also be booked through the ‘Ilima’s secure website at www.ilima.com or email mail@ilima.com.
Media Contact: Candy Aluli, Aluli Public Relations
Phone: (808) 669-1993 Email: alulipr@hawaii.rr.com
WAIKIKI, OAHU, HAWAII – The family-owned ‘Ilima Hotel, located in the heart of Waikiki, was recently honored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority with the prestigious “Keep It Hawaii” Kahili Award, recognizing the property for its perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture through its 12-year-old “Mohalapua O ‘Ilima” program.
