Outrigger Sets Sail on Partnership with The Polynesian Voyaging Society
Honolulu, HI (PRWEB) December 02, 2013 -- Outrigger Enterprises Group has announce the launch of a strategic partnership with the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), pledging to provide more than $500,000 worth of support to further the mission of the PVS Worldwide Voyage through various fundraising efforts, cross marketing and global hosting at Outrigger hotels and resorts throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The partnership launch, “Navigating the Way – The Next Generation,” was celebrated with a reception at Outrigger Reef on the Beach on Nov. 27, 2013, where the steering blade of the Hawai`iloa, which has been housed at the resort during restoration of the sailing canoe, was ceremoniously passed back to the navigators.
“Outrigger Enterprises Group has been a longtime supporter of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and its values align with our guiding principles, which include perpetuating our culture, protecting our planet, and instilling these values in the next generation,” said Nainoa Thompson, president of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and navigator of the voyaging canoe Hōkūle`a.
“We are honored to partner with the Polynesian Voyaging Society and help support its Worldwide Voyage mission of navigating toward a healthy and sustainable future,” said Charles R. Kelly, chairman of the board for Outrigger Enterprises Group. “As a Hawaii-based company charting our own global expansion, Outrigger is mindful to be authentic ambassadors of aloha while also being sensitive to local cultures and customs – a management and hospitality process we call Ke Ano Waa or The Outrigger Way, which was initially shaped by the late Hawaiian scholar, Dr. George Kanahele, nearly 20 years ago.”
The iconic sailing canoe Hōkūle`a, along with sister ship Hikianalia, plan to travel to more than 20 countries and 60 ports of call during its five-year Worldwide Voyage. As a sponsor of the voyage, Outrigger will offer accommodations for the crew and provide educational opportunities and activities for the community to participate in at various Outrigger properties in Fiji, Australia, Bali and its newest location in the Indian Ocean, Outrigger Mauritius Resort and Spa – a five-star beachfront resort at Bel Ombre on the island nation of Mauritius set to open in early 2014.
The Polynesia n Voyaging Society's Worldwide Voyage began in June 2013 with Hōkūle`a and Hikianalia sailing between the Hawaiian islands through October 2013 to establish Malama Honua (Taking Care of Island Earth) at home and to connect with local communities before leaving for the South Pacific in May 2014 on the first international leg of the Worldwide Voyage.
Attendees to the Outrigger and Polynesian Voyaging Society partnership launch were presented with a live native Hawaiian plant – either Kalo, Kupu Kupu Fern, Naio or Ohai – to symbolize a growing understanding, appreciation and respect for Hawaiian history and culture. They also received a copy of the new Outrigger in-room book, with a cover story on the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Hawai`iloa, sister ship to the Hōkūle`a, authored by Outrigger Hotels and Resorts “View from Here” blogger Kim Steutermann Rogers. To read this article and follow this historic journey online, please visit http://www.Outrigger.com/Hokulea. News about the voyage and partnership with Outrigger can also be tracked on social media with the hashtag: #OutriggerHokulea.
About The Polynesian Voyaging Society
The Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) was founded in 1973 on a legacy of Pacific Ocean exploration, seeking to perpetuate the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration through experiential educational programs that inspire students and their communities to respect and care for themselves, one other, and their natural and cultural environments. For more information about PVS or the Worldwide Voyage, visit http://www.hokulea.org.
About Outrigger Enterprises Group
Outrigger Enterprises Group is one of the largest and fastest growing privately-held leisure lodging, retail and hospitality companies in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions and continues to expand its presence throughout the area. A family-owned company with 66 years of hospitality experience, Outrigger runs a highly-successful, multi-branded portfolio of hotels, condominiums and vacation resort properties, including Outrigger® Hotels and Resorts, OHANA® Hotels and Resorts, Embassy Suites®, Holiday Inn®, Best Western®, Wyndham Vacation Ownership® and Hilton Grand Vacations™. Currently, Outrigger operates and/or has under development 45 properties with approximately 11,000 rooms located in Hawaii; Australia; Guam; Fiji; Bali; Thailand; Mauritius, Vietnam; and Hainan Island, China. Outrigger Enterprises Group also operates and develops hotel properties and hospitality-related retail and real estate opportunities for partners in Hawaii, the Pacific, and Asia. For on-line information, log on at http://www.outriggerenterprisesgroup.com and http://www.outrigger.com.
Nancy Daniels, Director of Public Relations, Outrigger Enterprises Group, +1 808-921-6839, [email protected]
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