Names & Faces
* Maui Hotel & Lodging Association announced that six local hotel workers — Kirk Togashi, Tylun Pang, Gladee Kaiwi, Gemsley Balagso, Mundy Gillcoat and Kyle “Kalani” Tihada — won first place at the recent Na Po’e Pa’ahana Awards.
Honors included:
• Togashi, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, for Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year.
• Pang, Fairmont Kea Lani, for Chef/Restauranteur of the Year.
• Kaiwi, Westin Maui Resort & Spa, for Front Office Person of the Year (Large Properties).
• Balagso, Westin Nanea Ocean Villas, for Food & Beverage Person of the Year (Medium Properties).
• Gillcoat, Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas, for Engineer & Maintenance Person of the Year (Large Properties).
• Tihada, Napili Kai Beach Resort, for Engineer & Maintenance Person of the Year (Small Properties).
Hosted by Hawaii Tourism & Lodging Association, the Jan. 9 event at the Hilton Hawaiian Village is known as the “Grammy” event for hotel workers, a news release said.
* Nonprofit Maui United Way announced the addition of four new members to its board of directors: Shawn Donlin, Lalaine Manlapao, Lisa Paulson and Simon Poole. Donlin is area manager at Enterprise Holdings and oversees Maui and Molokai; Manlapao is First Hawaiian Bank assistant vice president and banking officer; Paulson is Maui Health Systems director of strategic communications; and Poole is employed by Goodfellow Bros. Inc.
“All four of our newest board members embody the spirit of community and bring talent, expertise and energy to the table,” nonprofit Chief Professional Officer Nicholas Winfrey said in a Jan. 22 release. “We are very fortunate to have them by our side as we continue to serve the community.”
* Kaiser Permanente Hawaii and Maui Health System appointed Greg Carlson as the organization’s new executive director of information technology service and delivery.
Carlson, who joined Kaiser in 2008 as director for regional application delivery in the Colorado region, will be accountable for all IT products and services delivered to the Hawaii region and MHS, a Jan. 16 news release said.
“Greg has deep experience and understanding of complex information technology systems in a variety of applications, from global enterprises to government agencies to Kaiser Permanente’s own systems and infrastructure,” said Donna Scannell, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii vice president and regional information officer for care delivery technology services.
* Outlets of Maui tapped Kym Espinosa as marketing director for the 150,000-square-foot oceanfront shopping and dining center.
Espinosa will oversee centerwide marketing programming and promotions, including visitor and hospitality marketing, advertising, digital/interactive strategies, social communications, public relations, visitor industry programs and special events, according to a Jan. 14 news release.
She served as director of marketing at Promenade Temecula in California for eight years and is an eight-time International Council of Shopping Center MAXI award winner.
* Fairmont Kea Lani recently named Thomas W. Houston as director of food and beverage for the hotel.
Houston, who brings nearly two decades of experience to the position, will oversee all food and beverage operations at the resort’s multiple dining venues, banquet program and beach and pool operations, according to a Jan. 21 release.
He began his career as a Canadian Pacific Hotels dishwasher. Since joining Fairmont, he has had roles at many of its properties around the world. Also, Houston is a member of the Accor North & Central America Food & Beverage Council and Chaine des Rotisseurs.
* Maui native and loan consultant Kim Kawachi was recently recognized as loanDepot’s top producer in the state for the month of
December after she closed nearly $7 million in residential real estate loans.
Kawachi has helped families purchase homes and refinance mortgages over a 16-year career in mortgage lending; she has a reputation for “helping people with personalized financial education and enthusiastic service,” a Jan. 17 release said.
* Alison Somilleda was tapped as the new director of job placement at Ka Lima O Maui.
Somilleda served as program manager of community engagement for Best Buddies Hawaii for five years, according to a Jan. 17 news release.
Originally from Chicago, she earned her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and her Master of Science degree from Illinois Institute of Technology. Somilleda has lived on Maui for the last seven years.
* Names & Faces is published on the first Monday of the month and welcomes news releases and announcements regarding new hires and employee promotions and awards at businesses in Maui County. Photos of the employee will be accepted as well. To submit material or for more information, contact citydesk@mauinews.com or (808) 242-6343.