End-of-year (2009) newsletter for a Hawaii-based lodging company with 17 locations throughout the islands.

1. Oahu: Aqua Aloha Surf & Spa, Aqua
E-O-Y 2009
Bamboo & Spa, Aqua Palms & Spa,
Aqua Waikiki Beachside, Aqua Waikiki
Pearl, Aqua Waikiki Wave, Coconut
Waikiki Hotel, Continental Surf, Ilikai
Hotel & Suites, Island Colony, Maile
Sky Court, Park Shore Waikiki, The
Equus, Waikiki Marina Hotel
Maui: Hotel Wailea Maui
Molokai: Aqua Hotel Molokai
Kauai: Kauai Beach Resort
Message from Aqua’s President & CEO
Aloha Aqua Friends,
Let me start by wishing everyone a wonderful new year.
It’s hard to believe another year has passed. I am looking
forward to what will hopefully be the beginnings of a
market recovery in 2010.
By nearly all accounts, 2009 was the most difficult year
ever for Hawaii tourism. I was pleased to see us fight
together throughout the year, and while we’ve all been
doing more for less, the results of our work and our
success will pay off over the long term. For this, I have to
thank everyone – partners, team members, owners and
vendors who have worked together to weather the storm.
Ben Rafter
With 2009 behind us, many have asked what 2010 will
bring. Above everything, I believe 2010 will bring stability and predictability. There
are new air seats to Hawaii and new marketing campaigns designed to bring visitors
to our islands. Ultimately, the market may not get a lot better, but I don’t believe it
will get worse, particularly in latter part of the year.
As Aqua looks towards how it will succeed in 2010, we need to start with market
leadership. Working hard on new ideas and services, based on input we receive
from our travel partners, team members and customers, is critical.
When consumers shop for us, they need to know that Aqua provides a better
experience. When wholesalers decide what property to carry, they need to know
that Aqua delivers every time. And when owners choose Aqua they must know that
we will maximize the value of their investment.
Finally, I’d like to share a personal goal that I have – as Aqua continues to grow, I
will make certain that we keep investing in the Aqua ohana. Having a strong team
will do as much for our success in 2010 as any other initiative.
Mahalo for your support in 2009 and I’ll look forward to working with you in 2010.
Aqua will be on the road … look for our sales ohana:
Karishma Chowfin at the HVCB Road Show: 1/25-Salt Lake City, 1/26-Tacoma,
1/27-Portland, 1/28-Oakland and 1/29-Long Beach
Glenn Goto at the HTJ Seminar throughout Japan: 1/20-Sapporo, 1/21-Sendai,
Top to bottom: Aqua Aloha Surf & 1/25-Fukuoka, 1/27-Nagoya, 1/28-Osaka and 1/29-Tokyo
Spa, Aqua Bamboo & Spa, Aqua
Waikiki Pearl, Aqua Palms & Spa, The
Equus, Hotel Wailea Maui
Karishma Chowfin at the HVCB Road Show: 2/22-Boston, 2/23-Long Island,
2/24-Philadelphia, 2/25-Atlanta and 2/26-Houston

2. 2009 milestones
January 1 – Aqua expands to the neighbor islands with their first property in the resort destination of Wailea, Maui –
Diamond Wailea Resort & Spa.
June 15 – Black Diamond Hospitality renames Diamond Wailea Resort to Hotel Wailea Maui.
July 1 – Aqua rebrands 53-room Hotel Molokai as Aqua Hotel Molokai.
July 21 – Aqua announces landmark Ilikai hotel to reopen on July 24, managed by Hotel Management Services, LLC –
a subsidiary of Aqua Hotels & Resorts ... See page 4 for a photo hana hou (encore) from the previous issue.
July 2 – Aqua named to manage 350-room Hilton Kauai Beach Resort. As of January 1, 2010, the Hilton flag will
be removed and Aqua will manage and market the resort ... See page 5 for a selection of recently taken photos.
August 4 – Aqua Waikiki Pearl officially blessed and joins the Aqua Boutique Collection.
December 1 – Aqua adds Maile Sky Court hotel in Waikiki.
Currently, Aqua’s chain-wide inventory of 17 unique
properties is located exclusively in Hawaii with 14 locations
on Oahu, one on Maui, one on Molokai and one on Kauai
offering Aqua Boutique and Aqua Lite brands.
Contact: sandiyaracommunications@gmail.com

3. Recognition garnered in 2009
Best Value on Maui
Oyster.com Great Hotel Views in Hawaii Hotel Wailea Maui 2009 Oct
Most Romantic Hotels on Maui
Best Hotel Beaches in Hawaii
Best Hotel Beaches on Kauai
Oyster.com Hilton Kauai Beach Resort 2009 Oct
Best Hotel Spas on Kauai
Best Value Hotels on Kauai
Aqua Waikiki Pearl
Oyster.com Best Value Hotels on Oahu Best Western Coconut Waikiki 2009 Sep
Park Shore Waikiki
Oyster.com Best Hotel Rooms on Oahu Best Western Coconut Waikiki 2009 Sep
Best Western
Best Western International Best Western Chairman's Award 2009 Sep
Coconut Waikiki Hotel
Gayot Top 10 Value Hotels in Hawaii Aqua Bamboo & Spa 2009
AAA AAA Three Diamond Award Aqua Palms & Spa 2009
Magellan Gold Award
Travel Weekly Advertising Campaign Aqua Hotels and Resorts 2009 Sep
Stay Hawaii. Stay Aqua.
Magellan Silver Award
Travel Weekly Website Aqua Hotels and Resorts 2009 Sep
www.aquaresorts.com
Best Western
TripAdvisor #1 Honolulu Hotel 2009 Jun
Coconut Waikiki Hotel
Hotel Business Magazine #76 top 100 Management Companies Hotel Business Magazine 2009 Apr
PBN Hawaii's Fastest 50 #43 Aqua Hotels and Resorts 2009
Hotel Wailea Maui Kauai Beach Resort Aqua Waikiki Pearl
Best Western Coconut Waikiki Park Shore Waikiki
Contact: sandiyaracommunications@gmail.com

4. Contact: sandiyaracommunications@gmail.com

5. Contact: sandiyaracommunications@gmail.com

6. Celebrities hosted in 2009
Clockwise from top left Thomas Ian Nicholas (left) known for
the American Pie movies with DJ Collette (right - she recently
performed at the Lotus Sound Bar) with Best Western Coconut
Waikiki guest services agent Crystal Costa (center).
Inset photo of Thomas in American Wedding.
Flavor Flav (left) and Big Casper (right) of the rap group Public
Enemy with Aqua Palms & Spa hotel manager Kahea Doss.
Jason Scott Lee. Inset photo of Jason as Bruce Lee
Mike Rowe with Crystal Costa of Best Western Coconut
Waikiki. Inset photo of Discovery Channel’s ad for Dirty Jobs
with show host Mike.
Masaharu Morimoto, also known as Iron Chef Morimoto, was a
guest at The Equus.
Kelly Hu (center) with Larissa Canida, Best Western Coconut
Waikiki guest services supervisor (right) and friend.
Inset photo of Kelly in the Scorpion King.
Contact: sandiyaracommunications@gmail.com

7. Hauoli Makahiki Hou …
from the Sales & Marketing team
Seated (l-r) May Cabauatan Amber Watt, Elizabeth Churchill, LeeAnn Isobe, Keith York, Lori Downes
Standing (l-r) Dan Bayne, Karishma Chowfin, Justin Nakaahiki, Myna Eheler, Kehau Amorin,
Robin Harlow, Luana Kekaula-Castillo, James Odo
Not pictured: Evelyn Shiroma, Angela Byun
Maui Ann Ikuta
Kauai Maydene Simmons
GSAs Australia/New Zealand, Travel Reflections
Japan, ARM International
China, Aloha Consultant Company
South Korea, Pacific Air Agency Group
United Kingdom, First Public Relations
Contact: sandiyaracommunications@gmail.com