The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas' tenth anniversary celebration featured a flower drop and Ho‘olaule‘a with entertainment by Mele Pono.

KAANAPALI – The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas celebrated its tenth anniversary with resort guests, kama’aina and visitors by organizing a festive Tenth Year Ho’olaule’a the evening of Sept. 24.

Held outdoors on the South Lobby Lawn of the four-diamond resort, the fun included a Hawaiian Flower Shower with 80,000 orchids sprinkled onto the guests.

Resort Director of Finance James Guindon was onboard a Blue Hawaiian helicopter hovering above the lawn area as he showered guests with thousands of the fresh flowers.

The festivities began earlier with an opening oli (chant) by resort Cultural Advisor Makalapua Kanuha, followed by a welcome speech by resort General Manager Angela Nolan.

Twenty of the 56 resort associates (employees) present at the event were honored for their ten years of service since the opening of Westin KOR Villas on Sept. 24, 2003.

Also present was the opening general manager, Gregg Lundberg, together with local dignitaries, including State Rep. Angus McKelvey and Maui County Councilman Don Couch.

According to Nolan, the property is the first Starwood Vacation Ownership resort to make its presence in Hawaii.

“In the past ten years, we have expanded the resort to include new facilities and experiences for guests’ enjoyment. Our efforts have not gone unrecognized, as our list of awards has steadily grown to include accolades such as AAA Four Diamond recognition, SPG Member Favorite and many more,” said Nolan.

“Our associates who have passionately embraced the host Hawaiian culture and spirit of aloha look forward to continuing the tradition of building meaningful relationships and embracing island visitors and local residents as our ‘ohana.”

The fun and festivities continued with balloon sculpting and face painting, as fresh popcorn and plate dinners were served all evening. Guests who caught the fresh orchids from the flower drop enjoyed making leis, while others sat back and relaxed during the performance of Mele Pono. To cap the evening, the resort held a fire-knife dance finale.

Over the prior weekend, the resort held a series of activities that ranged from participation in the International Coastal Cleanup to a delightful keiki hula evening performance by Te Tiare O Te Patitifa and sand sculpture display in the main lobby.

Guests also had fun trying their culinary skills at the inaugural Westin KOR “HotChef” competition held pool-side. Of the three guest participants, Sandra Brugger, was judged the winner by local celebrity judges.

The celebrations continue until the end of the year. Upcoming events include the Hope Fundraiser at Spa Helani on Oct. 17 benefitting the American Cancer Society, ‘Aipono Wine Dinner Series at Pulehu, an Italian Grill on Nov. 6 benefitting Maui Culinary Academy and Skating by the Sea, a Kaanapali Holiday from Dec. 1-31 as the main highlight of the resort’s year-end holiday special.

For more information, visit www.westinkaanpali.com.