Small gestures of Håfa Adai spirit leave lasting impressions
Every year, the Guam Visitors Bureau and the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association come together to award heroes in the hospitality industry for their outstanding contributions to tourism.
This year's Håfa Adai Spirit winners were
Bonny Duenas
(Hyatt Regency Guam) and
Melani Naputi
(The Westin Resort Guam). The Håfa Adai Spirit winners are individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion, awareness and preservation of the Håfa Adai spirit through the Håfa Adai Pledge. Living the Håfa Adai pledge is demonstrated through actions such as excellent hospitality services and activities promoting the Chamorro culture (e.g. music, art displays, performances, teaching and community involvement).
Bonny Duenas has been in the hospitality industry since 2001. She started as a high school intern in the Hotel Lodging and Food & Beverage program and completed her apprenticeship in housekeeping. In 2005, Bonny joined Hyatt Regency Guam as Housekeeping Coordinator. Over the years, her motivation and passion for learning led her to work in Human Resources as a Coordinator, then a Team Leader, and subsequently transferred to her current role in Rooms Division as Assistant Manager, Guest Service Center. Bonny is an active participant in the GHRA/GVB Beach Cleanups held throughout the year. Bonny is active in industry related events serving as Hyatt’s team softball manager and Relay for Life captain. Bonny is the “go-to source” for local culture, and she truly embodies the Håfa Adai spirit, which comes so naturally to her. She is the voice guests hear at Hyatt: “Håfa Adai Hyatt Regency Guam. This is Bonny. How may I assist you?”. Even in her greeting, it is obvious she is smiling and willing to assist you.
Melani Naputi is an employee of The Westin Guam Resort for more than five years, working her way up the Human Resources organization. She has proven to go beyond what is asked of her, and she always tends to do that with a warm smile and the Håfa Adai spirit. The employees feel more than comfortable reaching out to her, because she is able to make that emotional connection with each employee. During Chamorro month, Melani assisted in coordinating Chamorro Month activities for employees that included demonstration from cultural group Inetnon Gef På’go of dance, music and weaving. Employees had an opportunity to learn how to weave coconut leaves into different items such as a hat, fish, fan, etc. She also coordinated the lunch menu in the employee cafeteria to have local Chamorro food for all associates to enjoy as part of the Chamorro Month festive activities.
