2009-06-30 TMOOERS - Laserfiche WebLink

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I guess the last thing I wanted to talk about was the letter to the editor that was read by Ms. Roy Î obviously a very unfortunate experience by this woman. But we did issue a response immediately to that letter. Since Jak Hu signed that letter, IÓd ask him to, in fairness, to read his response to that letter into the record as well. HU: My name is Jak Hu, general manager at the King KamehamehaÓs Kona Beach. Address: 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, 96740. This is a response letter to the letter to the editor. ÐAloha. I have read the letter to the editor regarding access to AhuÒena Heiau through our hotel grounds at the King KamehamehaÓs Kona Beach Hotel. I was most disturbed as this letter does not accurately reflect the situation and certainly is not representative of our feelings toward the heiau or our visitors to our island. The staff in the management of the King Kamehameha Beach Hotel understand and appreciate the cultural significance of AhuÒena Heiau, and always comply with the covenants related to the conservation and preservation of the heiau. We have a contractual obligation with the State to preserve the heiau, and are required to have the access t open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 300 days per year. This heiau was restored with a full financial support of the hotel. We try to provide access to the heiau through our property at all times. During the commercial lÒau especially allowed in our agreement with the Board of Land and Natural Resources, we do have visitors in this area enjoying the entertainment and the beautiful setting. During the lÒau the heiau is never used as a dressing room or a prop as stated in the recent letter to the editor. This would be insensitive to the cultural significance of this site and a violation of our agreement with the State. The performers change in the restroom area adjacent to the stage Î never the heiau. We accommodate visitors to the hotel, whether to view the heiau, walk along the shore or to enjoy our lÒau. I have checked with our staff at the lÒau, and no one has ever restricted access to the heiau. We do realize the historical significance of the heiau, and wouldnÓt deny anyone into the area. IÓm truly sorry, if Ms. Cushing was treated discourteously during her visit. And for that I apologize. We are requesting the address of Ms. Lara Cushing so that we are able to respond to her personally. Mahalo.Ñ WATANABE: Thank you. Do we have any questions? No? Thank you. HU: IÓm the general manager of the hotel, and IÓve been with this ho five years. And I was hired by HTH which is the previous owner, and now IÓm working for Pacifica Hotel Company. When I started to work for the HTH Hotel Company, they closely lost $70,000,000 in 14 years. When I started to work, I was the last staff and all our people. IÓm the last hope. If I fail, we have to close the hotel Î that was the situation. We went through it, we made it, and then they sold the hotel to Pacifica Hotel Company. In last two years, Pacifica Hotel Company, they lost $6,000,000. On top of it we are still spending money to renovate the hotel. This hotel was opened in 1976. In last 34 years no one did renovation the way they are doing now. When Pacifica Hotel Company purchased the hotel, I was ready to leave the hotel. They asked me why I wanted to go. I said, ÐI donÓt want a rundown hotel. I donÓt want to run the rundown hotel anymore. ItÓs very difficult and tired.Ñ And they told me they were going to renovate the hotel. The only one vision, and I said, ÐI want to give the pride back to my employees. TheyÓve been waiting for this opportunity long time.Ñ EXHIBIT C 15