Hospitality “Hawaiian-Style” Focus of Visitor Experience Workshop

A knowledgeable faculty of experienced cultural trainers, traditional practitioners and cultural business executives lead participants of the Ho‘okipa Learning Center to a deeper understanding of Hawai‘i and their important role in shaping the visitor industry. Courtesy of NHHA.

By Sonia Isotov

The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association will be offering a series of workshops entitled “E Kipa Mai: Hospitality Hawaiian Style” at the UH Maui College on Tuesday, March 13.

Employees will be educated on what constitutes the visitor experience and the role of every employee in creating a positive Hawai‘i experience for visitors.

The  workshops will be held from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will begin with an introduction followed by two modules.

• The introduction will feature “E Ala E: Welcoming” and address a spiritual centering to prepare the employee to become a host with unconditional friendship and trust.
• Module 1: Understanding Ho’okipa discusses skills sets (hospitality) needed to manage the guest experience and to take the quality of the visitor experience to a higher level.
• Module 2:  What Does It Mean to Be a Host engages the employee in a role as a host, regardless of the position the employee holds in the company (interpersonal skills).

The fee for the workshop is $85. To register, please call (808) 628-6374. A 50% tuition subsidy is available through the Employment and Training Fund (ETF) Program by calling ETF Specialist Stephanie Rickard at (808) 984-2091.