In one of my earlier articles, I wrote about a part-time job at the Kahala Hilton Hotel one summer handing out beach towels by the pool. This turned out to be my introduction to the hotel business, hospitality, and service. That summer of 1970 was where it all started for me. It was a fabulous job, being a “beach boy,” one which I would gladly do again. In 1970, the minimum wage in Hawaii was $1.25 per hour. For the Kahala Hilton job by the pool, the pay was $2.25 per hour. The job was fun, outdoors, in fresh air, in the sun, by a pool and beach and I got paid for it. One additional benefit that I discovered later was a chance to join my boss for occasional sails on his Hobie Catamaran. How fantastic!
On one sunny morning (always sunny in Hawaii), a guest approached me for the usual towel and chaise lounge. Stan was a long-stay guest and during his stay, we got acquainted and I took care of his towel and chaise lounge every day.
By the end of his stay, he advised me that his company was building a new 5-star hotel in Waikiki, and it was near completion. Before his departure, he asked me if my beach boy job was permanent. I replied that it was only a summer job as I had two more years of school at the University of Denver before graduation in June 1972. He gave me his card and said to me, “call me when you graduate, I want you to work for our hotel.” That was a pleasant surprise to me and certainly unexpected. I will never forget those words. I did not know what to think but thanked him and bid him farewell. I could not stop thinking about what he saw in me or why he wanted me to work at his hotel.
All I did was hand him a beach towel and set up his chaise lounge. That question was on my mind for a long time.
When vacation was over, I returned to the University of Denver to continue my junior year. At that time, the plan was to continue my studies in math and science. With the guidance of counselors, teaching was added to the plan. The goal was to have a teaching career in math. It sounded acceptable at the time.
The final two years went by quickly, and graduation was approaching in June 1972. It was exciting with the anticipation of achieving a degree after 4 years of hard work on campus and I will have a degree to allow me to teach math in high school. There was plenty of adrenaline to fuel the excitement. However, the excitement waned when I promptly realized that I had to now go out and find a job teaching. I did not fully understand the job market but deep down inside, I felt that being a school teacher was not right for me at the time.
The thoughts of sales, service and hospitality were still very relevant and even overwhelming.
Then, I remembered the request by Stan during the summer by the pool of the Kahala Hilton. He said to call when I graduated, so I got out his business card and decided to call.
Coming up, the call and my big surprise!
Comments