Kaanapali Beach Hotel opened in 1964, the third resort property
to be built in the world's first master planned resort, Kaanapali.
From the time it opened in the mid 60's, Kaanapali Beach Hotel
earned and maintained its reputation as a great value, providing
moderately priced hotel accommodations in this 5-star location.
The property had been successful serving guests for over 20 years.
But change was in the air.
It was during the 80's that several hotel chains opened their
premier resort properties on Maui, and names like Hyatt, Marriott,
Westin, and Embassy Suites brought the focus of resort travelers
to Kaanapali in a powerful way. It was at this time, that General
Manager, Mike White, a fourth generation kamaaina (Hawaii born)
attended a conference and encountered a challenge that changed
his thinking about Hawaii's visitor industry. The speaker was
Kenneth Brown and this was the essence of his message. "...If
the hotels, attractions and other businesses that are enjoying
growth through tourism do not take an active role in preserving
the host culture, then the unique culture that has helped to establish
this destination's unique identity is at risk of being lost."
And with that message, White's advocacy for the Hawaiian culture
within his circle of influence in the visitor industry began to
take shape. He relocated to Maui in 1985 as the General Manager
of Kaanapali Beach Hotel, a rare independent property in a sea
of corporate chain resorts.
White brought his vision of a hotel that could be a Hawaiian
place, and the employees of Kaanapali Beach Hotel embraced the
vision with overwhelming support. Having been a corporate hotel
in the past, it was a pleasure and honor to be able to work in
focus groups to craft the new company's Mission
Statement, committing it to management by Hawaiian family
values with the goal to become a "Hawaiian hotel." However,
with no benchmark to follow, this unprecedented move required
a commitment beyond anything previous. It was determined that
the first need was for the entire staff of the hotel to be educated,
so that the diverse ethnic group of hotel workers could be united
in their understanding of what it means to be Hawaiian. Ke
Kula O Ka Pookela, or the School of Excellence, was born.
The hotel created a management position dedicated to upholding
the mission statement and continuing education, and community
support of Hawaiian culture. To date, Kaanapali Beach Hotel's
employees have enjoyed 50 classes, spending approximately 60,000
company hours in cultural instruction. Pookela, as the program
is called, has had an impact far beyond its humble beginnings.
One of the most visible to our guests is our extensive Hawaiian
cultural activities program and serenades by the hotel's singing
employees. Another is the celebration of hula that has grown into
a 3-day festival of arts, called Hula O Na Keiki, an international
children's solo hula competition, held each fall at Kaanapali
Beach Hotel. One of the most culturally significant archaeological
sites in America today is in Lahaina at Maluulu olele Park. The
site to be restored was the former home of the Kamehameha family
on Maui, called Mokuula, whose restoration effort had its foundation
in a Pookela class.
The hotel was rewarded for its efforts, when, in 1995 the Waiaha
Foundation evaluated hotels based on 120 criteria for their ability
to incorporate Hawaiian values and culture into their employee
and guest experience. At their annual conference, Kaanapali Beach
Hotel was awarded the "Most Hawaiian Hotel in the State
of Hawaii." To date, there has not been another property
that has met or exceeded the criteria for this award. "Our
Hawaiian-ness goes very deep," said Mike White, hotel GM,
in response to winning the prestigious award. "We have arrived
at the point, where, after 9 years of focus, it is not what we
do, it is who we are."
