An Interview with Helen Barry Cooper, Club Manager

Helen Barry Cooper

This past week I had the opportunity to spend some time with Helen Barry,  Club Manager.

Helen has been with Hualalai for almost a year as Club Manager.  “Her “back of house ” duties – planning enhanced Member experiences and events, upgrading the Weekly Club Update and Quarterly Newsletter, as well as liaising with the website teams who have designed the new Club website Hualalaiclub.com – have kept her largely out of the public eye during her first year. With many of these projects up and running, you’ll now be seeing much more of Helen on property – and she wants you to reach out to meet with her and talk to her about life at Hualālai.

Here is what we discussed when we sat down for lunch this past week:”

Q:  Helen, your accent is obviously British.  Where are you from?

A:  I was raised just west of London in the county Berkshire.  I am the youngest of three children and my Mum still introduces me to friends as her ‘baby’.

Q:  Were you there until you went to college?

A:  That’s right.  I attended the University of Warwick and studied theater and dramatic arts.  Since it was very close to Stratford upon Avon I spent many evenings at the Swan Theater enjoying Shakespeare.  When I completed my education I applied to as many theater, film, and television companies as I could.  I wasn’t getting very far.

 Q:  Well, how did you get into the hospitality business?

A:  Another one of my interests was music and while I was at University I made extra money being a disc jockey.  I also play the clarinet and saxophone.  While I was applying for theater jobs I noticed an ad for a DJ.  I applied, got the job and off I went around Europe entertaining people by spinning records.  I spent 3 years in Switzerland, Italy and other parts of Europe befriending a number of folks in the hospitality industry.  My interest was peaked.  I loved the idea of working in the hotel industry and making people happy.  I also loved the idea of travel, another joy of mine.

Q:  Why did you join the Four Seasons and when?

A:  I looked at a lot of classic hotels in London, Claridges, The Dorchester—that sort of place, but I wanted an international chain, so I could move around the world, broaden my horizons.  In 1997 I selected the Four Seasons in London, applied for a job as a receptionist and I was off and running. 

Q:  How did you get to Hawaii from there?

A:  I moved across the various departments and though I was an employee at the London Four Seasons, I was sent to open, assist and train teams at many others including hotels in Paris, Prague, and Milan.  In 2003 I transferred to Four Seasons Great Exuma.  In 2007 I then transferred to Costa Rica.

Q:  How long were you in Costa Rica?

A:  Seven years.  During that time I became interested and started specializing in the residential component of that resort.  It was much different than Hualalai, but I enjoyed working with residents instead of just transient guests.  It was also during that time, that my son was born, Jack. 

Q:  Oh, tell us about Jack?

A:  Jack is 3 now, going on 12.  He’s a great kid and he lights up my life. 

Q:  So is that where your third name, Cooper, comes from?

A:  (Laughing)  Yes, it is.  Jack’s father’s name is Cooper and in Costa Rica children carry two last names…their mothers and their fathers.  I decided to also use Cooper, as in Helen Barry Cooper, so Jack would always feel the connection. 

Q:  Getting back to you, how did you get to Hualalai?

A:  Ok.  So, when I was in Great Exuma and Costa Rica I was always told that the best Four Seasons to work at was Hualalai, especially when it came to residential settings.  So, when I got the call I didn’t hesitate.  I had never been to Hawaii, let alone the Big Island.  I packed Jack and myself up and off we came.

We continued the conversation about the Residential Team here at Hualalai with regard to Florian’s leaving.  Helen wanted to make sure that all residents know that she is there for them during this transitional period. 

“I will be the Point Person for all your concerns, feedback, problems and questions.  If I can’t answer them or resolve an issue I will connect you with the right person on the team.  But more importantly, I want to be your point person for quality of life here at Hualalai.

I plan to be at the Trading Company from 8:30 am to 9:30am every Thursday morning whenever possible.  I’ll be there with my laptop, which always makes a good prop, but I want to be interrupted.  Introduce yourself and join me for coffee.  On Wednesdays I plan to be at our Farmer’s Market from 8:30 – 9:30, hoping to chat with club members.  On Tuesday I will try and join the Scramble, though I am a terrible golfer. I will attend as many Monday Receptions as possible.  I also plan to be around Ke ‘Olu and the Canoe Club and the Beach House as often as possible at lunch time.  I want members to know they should wave me over if they want to talk to me.  I want to meet as many members as I can.”

Q:  So, Helen, where is your office?

A:  My office, right now, is in the Administrative Building, close to the Tennis Courts.  However, especially during high occupancy times I will probably split my time between this Building and Ke ‘Olu. 

Q:  And during this transition period, whom should members reach out to if they have problems?

A:  I want members to feel free to reach out to me.  Or they can go directly to one of the supervisors on the team.  I’ll give you a list of people and their phone numbers to call if you have issues, but always know that I am available.  I will always try to get back to you ASAP.  I am mom to a toddler so I am typically at the resort during the day – Monday through Friday.  Also, I may have to make a quick run to London to bring my Mom back who will be taking care of Jack during Festive.  I had planned that before Florian took the position in Palo Alto.  We will try to make sure that this occurs when Florian is back at the resort during the transition period.  I’ll keep everyone posted.

To that end here is the list of the Residential Team and how to reach them.  And get to know more about Helen in her Meet the Team feature linked on Hualalaiclub.com

 *You may also link to our full phone directory at Hualalaiclub.com