This summer Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa hosted 13 student interns from Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center (QLCC). The students, from local high schools on the island of Oahu, committed to the six-week internship program "Na Pua ‘O Lili‘uokalani Ma Hamohamo".
They had a one-week orientation and then spent the next five weeks assigned to various departments at the resort including Accounting, Asia Pacific Sales, Engineering/Grounds, Housekeeping, Culinary, Reservations, Guest Relations and Sales Offices. One of our interns shared her culture by teaching our guests the art of Ti-Leaf Lei making.
The internship ended with a celebration and dinner on July 19, 2009 to honor our interns. The ono (delicious) Hawaiian food and the evening's festivities showcased the talents of the interns and their reverence to their Hawaiian culture including chanting, hula, Tahitian dancing, music and an ukulele solo.
Our resort's goal through hosting this internship is to bring awareness of the hotel industry to native Hawaiian students. By doing so, we are hopeful that they may consider a career in the Oahu hotel industry. We are particularly interested in networking with students of Hawaiian descent as they have a value to our business...their Hawaiian culture.
- Jean, Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
We had a great group of six interns this year from Queen Lili‘uokalani Children's Center who worked in Culinary, At Your Service, Bell Desk, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage, and Landscaping departments.
Each of the interns worked very hard and were well appreciated by their supervisors. The whole purpose of this internship was to give them the opportunity to learn the basics of having a great job - things like getting to work on time, being presentable, having a great attitude, learning as much as possible about the hotel industry, and the importance of providing great service to our guests.
We celebrated with a luncheon on Friday, July 24, 2009. Present were the interns, managers, parents, and representatives of QLCC who helped make it all possible. We heard moving testimony from the interns and many glowing reports from their managers. Needless to say, their parents were somewhat overwhelmed with the changes they saw in their keiki (children).
- Cliff, Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Sixteen interns graduated on July 31, 2009 after seven weeks of on-the-job training at JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. The QLCC students interned in resort departments including At Your Service, Culinary, Housekeeping, Landscaping, Loss Prevention, Poolside Grill, Recreation, Room Service and Spa.
The trustees and representatives of Alu Like, Inc., Office of Hawaiian Affairs, QLCC and the Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust proceeded into the Ocean Ballroom with the interns as they did an ‘oli (chant) to the Queen and presented ho‘okupu (offering or gift). The interns were introduced as they walked down a red carpet with their parents. They were congratulated and presented with a certificate and gift. The evening concluded with a chant by the students on stage.
- Joye, JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa
