James Kareka Named DoS Kahala Resort in Honolulu
HONOLULU, HI - February 9, 2011 - After more than a year as director of travel industry sales for The Kahala Hotel & Resort, James Kareka has been promoted to director of sales. Kareka and his team will continue to initiate service and product enhancements, continuing the legacy of the iconic resort while furthering the recent $52 million updates to rooms, suites, meeting space, lobby and public areas.
"James has proven to be a resourceful leader in the sales department and we look forward to his continued success as director of sales," said Glynis Esmail, vice president of sales and marketing for Landmark Hotels Group. "He will report directly to general manager Thomas Pauly, and will continue to work with the sales team to build business from new channels for The Kahala."
Kareka relocated to Honolulu from San Francisco to direct travel industry sales for The Kahala and will supervise a staff which includes Michelle Rubin (senior sales manager), Shannon McAneeley (sales manager) and Cici Montoya (travel industry sales coordinator); as well as work closely with Chiaki Funaoka (regional director of sales-Japan) in growing the Japan and Korea market; and with Eun-Jung Chang (administrative assistant) as she pursues group business. In addition, he will work with The Kahala's director of group sales and catering, Stuart Kotake, in administering the group sales effort.
A 20-year veteran of the travel industry, Kareka has served in a variety of roles developing corporate operations and account management. Prior to joining The Kahala, he was vice president of global sales for Casto and also served as business development manager for Classic Vacations for four years. Kareka was born and raised in Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula and attend San Francisco State University in pursuit of a career in Business and Human Resource Management.
About The Kahala
With 338 guestrooms, The Kahala Hotel & Resort is an exclusive oceanfront destination resort known for its impeccable service and hospitality. Just minutes from Waikiki, yet offering the peace and serenity of a neighbor island experience, The Kahala has been Honolulu's social address for weddings and gatherings since its opening in 1964. Captains of industry and celebrity guests continue to call The Kahala their home-away-from-home in Hawai'i.
The Kahala has five restaurants including the award-winning Hoku's, a spa, and a lagoon that is home to six Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. The resort is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and is long recognized internationally as an icon among legendary resorts. In 2009, The Kahala celebrated 45 years as one of Hawaii's top resort destinations. For more information, please contact The Kahala Hotel & Resort at (808) 739-8888 or toll-free at (800) 367-2525; or visit their website at www.kahalaresort.com
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