Two Westin Maui Employees Earn State Industry Awards

(L to R) Heidi Michel-Bunyard, Tony Bruno and Crystal Lei Lane. Courtesy photo.

Two employees at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa in Kāʻanapali were among five individuals on Maui and 12 individuals across the state who were honored with industry awards at the 26th Annual Nā Poʻe Paʻahana Awards issued by the Hawaiʻi Lodging & Tourism Association.

The awards, which honor the hospitality industry’s best-of-the-best, were based on outstanding and exceptional service to lodging guests, co-workers, and the community.

The Westin Maui Resort & Spa’s Crystal Lei Lane received top honors as the Manager of the Year while Heidi Michel-Bunyard was recognized as first runner-up for Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year.

Tony Bruno, general manager of The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, said the recognition further emphasizes the passionate dedication embraced by resort associates towards providing service excellence with genuine Hawaiian hospitality. “To have not just one but two employees recognized for their invaluable contributions is most heartwarming,” said Bruno.

Lei Lane, who works as a Human Resources Manager, was selected as the winner of the Manager of the Year award “based upon her skills and expertise to maximize the potential of every person she engages with, and in the process guides people to their dreams as well as raises the quality of what the Hawaiʻi hospitality industry offers visitors.” Lei Lane is also credited with often leading some of the hotel’s community work, including the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and HLTA’s Charity Walk.

Lei Lane also spends work and personal time assisting the Alternative Learning Center at Lahainaluna High School where she works closely with students at risk for dropping out of school.  Her volunteer work involves guiding students in interview skills, resume writing, building character in the workplace, how to keep a job, and how to be an outstanding employee. She also monitors student progress and plans future steps with them.

Lei Lane also volunteers her time to assist Hawaiʻi’s Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense office. Comprised of dedicated and trained volunteers and staff, she helps promote employer support for Guard and Reserve services by conducting unit briefings. She is also actively involved in ESGR’s patriot awards where guards and reservists nominate their employers in appreciation of their support.

Michel-Bunyard works as a Spa Sales Coordinator at Heavenly Spa by Westin located at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa.  Her selection was attributed to “extraordinary efforts, kindness and commitment to work, her guests, and her hotel’s success.”   Resort representatives say, “Heidi cares for and appreciates people and is always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.”

According to a resort announcement, Michel-Bunyard, “has developed meaningful and lasting relationships with guests, knowing some of them for over 25 years. One guest who had been visiting the resort the past 20 years (since the age of six) attributed their amazing memories of annual Maui vacations to Heidi and the Westin ‘Ohana family.”

In 2013, Michel-Bunyard was awarded the Cecilia Okumura award at Westin Maui’s annual associates’ holiday party as an exemplary associate and who best shares her spirit of Aloha with resort guests, fellow associates and within the community.