Hawaii Opinions

We frowned but will accept Jerry Hulse’s description of our resort as “gigantic and expensive.” On our size, we need all this space to offer all the activities we do and still ensure none of our guests are crowded or disturbed in whatever they care to do.

About our expense, no question about it, we are not cheap. Yet, we absolutely live by the phrase: “You get what you pay for.” If for any reason a guest does not believe he or she has received the value for the money spent, our entire staff is trained to rectify the situation immediately.

There is one characterization we take absolute exception to. Again we quote: “It is representative of other mega-resorts that are out of touch with the old, unspoiled Hawaii, the fragile beauty of which is rapidly disintegrating--along with a culture and gentleness of its people that was so special to these islands.”

We built the beach on our man-made lagoon because we did not remove one rock from our natural lava shoreline. We continue to preserve the same ancient petroglyphs outside our front door as each of the Kohala Coast hotels take pride in doing.

Regarding the fragile beauty of the land you accuse us of disintegrating: We are the first and, to my knowledge, the only resort on the island of Hawaii to recycle its garbage. It should be added that only because of our size are we able to afford the expense of recycling.

Lastly, regarding the lost culture and gentleness of our people. On behalf of the 2,100 employees of the Hyatt Regency Waikoloa, most of whom have lived their entire lives in Hawaii, I defy you to find a group of people, anywhere in the world, who takes greater pride in practicing its culture and who is more genuine, friendly and dedicated to service.

Jerry Hulse may prefer smaller, quaint resorts to our alternative, which is his prerogative. But please don’t confuse your preference or our size and array of activities with a lost commitment on our part to the three most basic elements that make Hawaii the greatest destination on earth: our water, our land and our people. We have not lost touch with that reality.

JOE HIGGINS

Sales Manager

Hyatt Regency Waikoloa

Hawaii