Aqua Hotels Appoints DHR and Reservations Manager
Sanford Nojima and Angela Byun, respectively
WAIKIKI BEACH, HI - June 7, 2010 - Aqua Hotels & Resorts appointed Sanford Nojima, HR Director and Angela Byun, Reservations Manager. Both Nojima and Byun are located at Aqua's home office at 1850 Ala Moana Boulevard.
“As Aqua adds hotels to our portfolio, we have also been adding employees so Sanford's many years of experience and excellent qualifications are serving the company very well,” said Guy Underkoffler, Aqua's Sr. Vice President.
“By the same token, we're lucky to have someone with Angela's background and enthusiasm heading up our reservations department,” added Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua's VP Sales & Marketing.
Sanford Nojima, Director of Human Resources
In this newly-created position, Nojima ensures that Aqua remains competitive in the hospitality industry through its Human Resources products, services and initiatives. He oversees the areas of recruitment and employment, training and development, employee relations and recognition, payroll, benefits and compensation and government compliance at both the home office and at the property level.
A Hawaii hospitality industry veteran with 30 years of experience, Nojima spent more than 12 years in hotel / resort operations and over 17 years in human resources management. His most recent hotel position was Regional Director of Human Resources for Asia/Pacific at Hilton Grand Vacations Company in Waikiki. He has also worked for Hilton Hotels, Nikko Hotels, Prince Resorts Hawaii and HTH Corporation and has had hospitality assignments on Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai, Guam and Japan.
Nojima has a BBA in Personnel & Industrial Relations from the University of Hawaii.
Angela Byun, Reservations Manager
As Reservations Manager for Aqua's central reservations department, Byun works with her team to provide prompt and courteous service to prospective guests. She also maintains a record of historical data for analysis and improvement, such as phone volume, abandonment and conversion ratios. In addition Byun provides reservations training to front desk and reservation staff at Aqua properties.
Prior to joining Aqua Resorts, Byun was Front Office Manager and Director of Housekeeping at Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay. She has also held management positions at the Four Seasons Hotel New York and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.
Byun received her B.S. in Travel Industry Management from the University of Hawaii.
About Aqua Hotels & Resorts
Aqua Hotels & Resorts is a management company founded in 2001 by Hawaii hotelier Mike Paulin. The company provides independent hoteliers and individual owners with full-service administration including revenue management, Internet distribution, sales, and reservations, as well as individualized and brand advertising and marketing for maximum profitability.
The company is headquartered in Waikiki and represents 16 contemporary hotels and resorts located on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Lanai.
For more information on the company and individual hotels, visit www.aquaresorts.com or call 1-808-943-9291.




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