Justin and Amanda Smrke, children of Founder Members, Peggy Kent and Richard Meschke graduate from HPA this year. Justin and Amanda grew up a good part of their time being residents of Hualalai
Congratulation Amanda and Justin!
Amanda
Justin
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We harvested the sweet potatoes on Thursday. They are in the garden on the top of the path by the mint and the banana tree. They are Okinawan purple sweet potatoes and can be prepared just like Regular sweet potatoes. Please help yourselves.
As usual many mahalos to Bill McDowell If you have not already seen the following two videos and/or the print article we have posted it here for your information.
Florian Reidel has shared the links with the membership as well as making the following statement:“As stated before, we believe the plaintiff’s claims are without merit and do not represent the position of the majority of Club members, and that resort access policies implemented are expressly permitted by the Club agreements. Most importantly, these policies are upheld in the best interest of you, our valued Club members, as we preserve your experience within our Hualalai community.As always, feel free to contact me directly with any questions or concerns.”
Thanks to Bill McDowell At the HCA Annual meeting this year, the Traffic Committee presented plans for upgrading the current speed humps at Hualalai. This week, the plastic speed humps have been upgraded and later on in the month striping will be completed. Please watch out for them.
As you drive through the property you may see this speed check device. Please…please remember that the speed limit is 20 mph
Have you noticed these sticks sticking up near the road and the cart paths? Some thought they were being used in surveys. Others thought it was used to stop carts running onto the lawn. Still some others thought there was going to be ropes or chains connecting the sticks/poles. So, we decided to actually ask about them. According to to Erin Lee, head of landscaping, they have been placed right next to irrigation heads that often get run over and ruined. Now we know, but it was more fun to speculate.
One of the great benefits of being a member at Hualalai is that you make close friendships and you often meet your fellow members elsewhere in the world. Periodically I receive photos from members having a great time somewhere else on the globe. Here are photos of some members who met at the Kentucky Derby this week.  John Ryan must be checking the odds.  Alex Gersznowicz, Eve Bernstein, Pat and Wally O’dell and John Ryan
 AND THEY’RE OFF!  They’re all winners…I hope. Sitting in their basket, in their golf cart are Bosco and Pepper Styer looking too cute to pass up a photo. Spotted by the Spa.
 Click image for more info HPAF is proud to announce a season of world-classperformances with something for everybody!SEE THE FULL SCHEDULEDownload a PDF of the schedule to save or print.For more information or to order tickets by phone, call 808-333-7378.
For tickets call the Kona Hospital Foundation at 808.322.4587.Member, Bill McDowell, has traveled from Antartica to the Arctic the past few months. Julie Wrigley, his partner, went to Antartica with him. Bill’s photographic ability keeps growing and we try to share his art with you. We hope you’ve enjoyed his photography and you will continue to as he passes them to us.
 Julie and Bill in Antartica  Julie and Bill in Antartica  Bill went to the Arctic to specifically shoot the Northern Lights.
 These next 2 shots were taken on the Big Island, capturing the Milky Way
Today members and staff gathered to toast John Freitas for twenty one years of service to Hualalai and to toast his and his family’s next adventure on the mainland. Florian toasts John and his wife Katheyn
 Click photo to learn more about Legacy Tours James Juarez, President of SJ Communications, Inc. and business partner of Patrick Soesman, has researched a reforestation program where one can go on a two-hour tour and plant Koa Trees on the slopes of Mauna Kea. The fee for this opportunity including one sapling to plant is $110 per adult ($60 per extra tree). If you are unable to participate in the tour, but would like to have someone participating plant the tree for you, the cost per tree is $60. James has indicated that Patrick would like to plant the trees in honor of Sita, his wife who has just passed a way. He’s nicknaming this project “Sita’s Forest”. If you are interested in making a donation or joining the group trip to plant Koa trees in Sita’s honor, please contact James at james@sjhawaii.net or call him at 808-895-1005.  On the Legacy Tour
Erin Lee took time today to share with us the vegetable and spice garden that has been planted at Ke ‘Olu for the membership’s use. Chef Joseph also uses the bounty from this garden. Feel free to wander up there and partake in some of the treats. Here is your tour of your garden:
 Dakota Smith
When you first meet and spend time with Dakota you are immediately impressed by his presence. He not only stands 6 foot six inches tall, but he also seems more mature than his mere 23 years would lead you to expect. Dakota was born and raised in Lake City, Florida, and attended Florida State University where he majored in Professional Golf Management and minored in Entrepreneurship. Before he graduated from college Dakota had to put some time in as an intern with various golf clubs. He was most interested in interning in a place that could possibly offer him a position after a 3-month internship was over. He also was interested in Hawaii. Where in Hawaii? He didn’t care, anywhere in Hawaii. He started calling all the golf clubs in the state, leaving messages saying he was interested in an internship. Only one of the people he called actually answered the phone, and that person was Brendan Moynihan, right here at Hualalai. That call lasted an hour and a half and when it ended Brendan told him to send him his resume. He did and Dakota began his new career shortly thereafter. “I graduated from college and 6 days later I’m on my way to start my career in Hawaii…at Hualalai, the number one hotel in the world!” Dakota didn’t just want to become a golf pro, he wanted to eventually be the General Manager of a Golf Club. He immediately saw the potential of working for the Four Seasons. He knew he could gain experience in the hospitality industry and move on up the ladder to eventually meet his goals. After three months of being a Golf Intern at Ke ‘Olu he moved into the job of Assistant Golf Pro. He held that for 9 months. Then an opening to become the Assistant Guest Services Manager opened at the Hotel. Dakota was asked to take the position, which included supervising the bellmen, valets, doormen, limos, greeters at the airport and Managers in Training. He held that position for 9 months. He then was promoted to Assistant Director of Recreation. His duties were and are to manage all the pools of the Four Seasons Hotel: not only staff, but coordination between the pools and two kitchens as well–Ulu and the Beach Tree. Dakota was clear that the pools are considered the largest meal service on property. “Ulu serves about 45-150 people a night, the Grill serves about 55-75 people a night. The Beach House averages about 45 a night and the Beach Tree averages 160 meals a night. The pools serve 390 – 420 plates a day between 11AM and 3PM. We’re hustling,” Dakota shared. He has now been directing pool services for 9 months. There’s a trend here—9 months of gestation. When asked what’s the most difficult time he has had as Director of Recreation he said it was the past Spring Break. Dakota had 2 managers, but was short 2 employees. He said he worked 15 ½ hours a day for 3 weeks straight; no days off. He wanted to be at work by 7 every morning to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible. He felt that he was responsible for making his team do well and look good. As for the most fun he had, well that one was easy: it was when he arrived as Santa, Christmas morning on 2015. He arrived via helicopter and landed on the 18th fairway. (Click here to see his landing.). Another highlight for him was announcing for the Mistubishi Electric tournament. It was a thrill to see some of the people he had met at other clubs. He feels that learning the fast pace pressure at a premiere first-class operation like Four Seasons Hualalai will help as he moves toward his goal of becoming a General Manager. “I’ve been chest bumped by guests wanting to fight me and I’ve had luggage thrown at me. But I’ve also met some fabulous people, guests, residents and fellow employees. And it is a joy to be able to make people happy, comfortable and satisfied. But one thing I want everyone to know: The statement that the hospitality industry is NOT a 9 – 5 job is definitely true! ” Where does Dakota go next? Well, he’s not sure. He may move up the ladder here or he may want to try management at an urban Four Seasons. Dakota truly wants to move up that ladder that Four Seasons offers its employees and it looks like he’s doing it quickly. We wish him well and hope to see him in the future as a General Manager!
This morning about 150 people gathered at Ke ‘Olu to celebrate Sita Soesman’s life. Sita, passed away a couple of weeks ago after fighting cancer for over 2 years. She will be missed by many of us on island and at Hualalai.  Sita Soesman
 John Freitas Aloha everybody, I am writing to you to inform you that John has resigned from his position as Director of Sports. After more than 20 years at Hualalai, John and his family are taking a big leap and moving to the Pacific North West where John has accepted the position of Director of Golf at one of the most prestigious golf courses in the area. John has spent his career in the golf industry and started with us as the opening Head Golf Professional back in 1996. At that time John was considering a career on the professional tour, but the opportunity to be part of the opening and creation of the Hualalai golf experience was too tempting. During John’s time at Hualalai, he played an important role in developing the golf experience to become one of the most prestigious and well recognized names in the industry. His close relationship with the PGA Champions Tour and their sponsors, most recently Misubishi has been instrumental in keeping Hualalai front and center and probably one of the most valued and sought after tournaments on the Champions Tour. For the last 18 months John has been actively involved with our integration efforts and his knowledge and perspective has been a great resource on our executive team. I want to thank John for his contribution and flexibility to wear many different hats while we continue to build an infrastructure and culture of one strong Ohana at Hualalai. John’s last working day will be April 29th, so that we will have enough time to thank him and to wish him much success for the future. With Aloha, Florian NOTE FROM THIS BLOGGER:After over twelve years of spending time with John and working with him on various issues we wish him the very best as he and his family head to the Pacific Northwest…again. He has spent many years serving the membership here, at Hualalai. Congratulations, John, on this new exciting episode of your life. A Hui Ho
Get over the Hump in the middle of the month!Join your fellow members at the “Hualalai Humpday” sunset potluckWednesday, April 13 from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (or beyond)(Weather Permitting) Beach fronting the Residents’ Beach House.Bring Beach Chairs to sit 0n and a dish to share as well as BYOB.Flashlights are helpful No sign-ups required. |
