Formulated by famed Hawaiian scholar Dr. George Kanahele, The Outrigger Way was a guiding star as we set sail on our global expansion across the Pacific and Indian oceans years ago and continues to shape employee, visitor and community relations today.

This values system –rooted in Hawaiian culture– is deeply embedded into the Outrigger brand, yet customized to embrace the local traditions and cultures of each community. In addition to providing Outrigger with a hallmark hospitality style, this unique business model has helped transform Outrigger from a 50-room walkup hotel in Waikiki into one of the world's most successful, premier beach resort brands.

The Outrigger Way has three components that are intricately and actively connected – the guests, hosts (employees) and place – and deepens our understanding and appreciation for the local host culture. In practice, The Outrigger Way allows for an unforgettable experience that leaves our global guests with a deeper understanding of the beach communities and cultures where we operate around the world – in Hawaii, Fiji, Thailand and Mauritius – and allows us to provide world-class guest service to all who visit us.

Signature Experiences

In the hospitality business, it is important to make guests feel welcome from the moment they arrive. At Outrigger, Resorts visitors are met with Na Mea Ho`okipa ("hospitality from within"). Guests are greeted with a heartfelt greeting – such as an unconditional "Aloha" in Hawaii or infectious "Bula" in Fiji, as well as a locally-inspired beverage and special gift upon arrival. From check-in to check-out, we infuse local host culture into every aspect of the guest experience – and visitors know immediately that they've entered an Outrigger property.

Though each destination has beautiful cultural nuances, each Outrigger experience is steeped in tradition. From beachfront sunset ceremonies to vow renewals, we strive to provide our visitors with lasting memories and exceptional care.

Promote A Sense of Place

Following an $80 million transformation, our flagship resort Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is a wonderful embodiment of The Outrigger Way. Taking cues from our voyaging ancestors, every design element of the resort is purposeful – from the impressive canoe-hale arrival experience lit by traditional fishing-basket lanterns to the artfully appointed accommodations and historic artwork, the resort design emulates an elegant Hawaii beach house, warmly welcoming guests home. Quite simply, it is our goal for travelers to feel connected to the destination immediately – and throughout their stay, the connection and appreciation deepens through enriching cultural experiences.

Luana Maitland, Director of Cultural Enrichment at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, serves as our resident storyteller, spiritual guide and purveyor of Hawaiian heritage for more than 20 years. Hawaiian culture is vibrant and cherished in the islands and when it comes to not only taking it in – but truly partaking in it – Luana and our wonderful team of hosts make it easy for guests to learn the culture and establish a sense of place. With an exciting array of cultural experiences such as traditional lei making, ukulele sessions, surfing and hula lessons, and the beloved vow renewal ceremony (Makemake Wau – "I Do"), guests of all ages can immerse themselves in Hawaiian culture during their stay with the help of Outrigger hosts.

"Often, the stories we share during these lessons stay with our guests far longer than their reservation at Outrigger," says Luana. "While guests are participating in our cultural programs – such as a lei making class, we aim to amplify our guest service by sharing an origin story with them that carries deep significance and meaning."

As legend has it, many years ago, men would venture out in the mornings to find provisions and stumble upon beautiful flowers. Unable to carry the delicate florals with their hands full, these gatherers would tie the leaves with vines and wear them gently around their necks. When they returned to their villages, they would gift the beautiful lei to their loved ones. "We convey to our guests that at Outrigger, an elegant lei is not a gimmick or tourist activity – but a way to connect with our ancestors and share our love and appreciation for our heritage," continues Luana. "We are guided by out values in all that we do."

In addition to the impressive lineup of daily activities offered in Outrigger Reef's new state-of-the-art A`o Cultural Center, guests can also enjoy traditional Hawaiian music on-property at the newly transformed Kani Ka Pila Grille. Heralded as Waikiki's Home of Hawaiian Music, Kani Ka Pila Grille first opened in 2008 and has since been a hotspot for kama'āina (locals) and visitors alike to hear live Hawaiian music nightly from award-winning artists under the stars.

he name "Kani Ka Pila" translates from Hawaiian to mean "Let's Play Music" and was bestowed on the venue by legendary slack-key guitarist Cyril Pahinui – who performed there regularly. His inspiration for the name came from the unfettered joys of backyard jam sessions with family and friends, where music was played, good food was served and laughter was heard. Today, Outrigger honors this history and provides guests the opportunity to experience this vital piece of Hawaiian heritage first-hand.

We'd be remiss not to mention the legendary Duke Kahanamoku, founder of modern surfing, who caught his first big waves just steps from Outrigger's beachfront resorts. Surf culture and the history of the sport are sprinkled throughout each of our Waikiki properties – and guests are invited to surf the very waves as Duke during their stay at Outrigger.

Lean into "Local"

Guest service goes beyond turndowns and room service at Outrigger. Every aspect of the hospitality experience has been thoughtfully curated to connect guests with the local culture. For example, Hawaii's first craft hotel – Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger was inspired and appointed by a collective of local artisans, musicians, photographers, and designers dubbed the Beachcomber Originals. From the life-size prints of wave photography by Zak Noyle and beach aerials by Vincent Lim that adorn the rooms, to the fresh beats of "The New Sound of Waikiki" by Makana that fill the public areas – guests are fully immersed in the modern cultural scene of Waikiki from the moment they arrive.

In Fiji, the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort has been named the premier family resort year after year due to its commitment to delivering a safe, relaxing and entertaining environment for families while retaining authentic elements of the traditional Fijian village. Local Fijian hosts offer an affordable, customizable MeiMei ("Take Care")  nanny service to guests through which children of all ages are able to engage with Fijian culture and hospitality through games, art and crafts and simple language lessons. Daily cultural demonstrations and activities by indigenous Fijians such as firewalking, symbolic Meke performances and Kava ceremonies leave visitors awestruck on the Coral Coast.

An Impact that Lasts

It is our hope that each guest who visits Outrigger leaves with a renewed appreciation for culture and a sense of purpose. A unique guest offering that we provide globally is the chance to give back.

As the premier resort brand in the world, our success is intricately tied to the health of the ocean and its reefs. Through the OZONE (Outrigger's ZONE) Initiative, our guests and hosts to have participated in planting and protecting more than 100 football fields' worth of new, healthy coral and Hawaii guests and hosts have pitched in to help rid Waikiki's iconic beaches of garbage and debris.

We also have teamed up with eco-tourism partners such as Kualoa Ranch for the Malama Hawaii Experience, where guests who stay with Outrigger have access to an eco-adventure designed to protect the epic private nature reserve. The two-hour experience consists of various community service efforts and cultural learning experiences from land to sea and leaves a lasting impact on guests to be more mindful travelers, protecting the natural environment of these destinations for generations to come.

Following the last few years of restrictions and quarantine, the need for connection has never been more apparent. Travelers are seeking authentic experiences more than ever – and the hospitality industry must heed the call. As visitors return to our properties in Hawaii, Fiji, Mauritius and Thailand, we're rolling out the red carpet – embracing our long-awaited guests with an over-the-top cultural "Welcome Home!" greeting.

We look forward to carrying The Outrigger Way into the next generation, welcoming a new wave of mindful travelers and providing them an enriching guest experience they'll never forget.

By Monica Salter Vice President of Global Communications & Social Responsibility, Outrigger Hospitality Group