Union says Wailea hotel
should keep staff

By Gary Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- ILWU union leader Eusebio "Bo" Lapenia Jr. today criticized the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa for not assuring employment to current workers after a change in ownership.

The union, which represents about 950 workers at the resort, has been told that all the employees will have to fill out new applications to work for the new owners, the La Quinta, Calif.-based KSL Recreation Corp.

"It comes at a time when it's Thanksgiving, it's the holidays," said Lapenia, president of ILWU Local 142. "For them to come in here and say you got to apply, excuse me, it's a lot of crock."

Banquet waiter Bradlee Frierott said he felt the new owner wasn't treating employees with respect.

"I'm not going to apply. I don't want to work for these people," he said.

Lapenia said he has written a letter to the hotel owner and the general manager to remind them of a commitment to protect workers' jobs in case of a new owner.

Lapenia said the hotel has the highest wages of any resort on Maui and has developed high standards because of the commitment of the employees.

KSL Recreation has agreed to buy the resort from the New York-based International Hotel Acquisitions, LLC, an affiliate of Credit Suisse First Boston, and Secured Capital Corp., which has controlled the resort since a financial restructuring in June.

Scott Dalecio, president of the western division of KSL, said because his firm offers competitive wages and benefits, it is looking for the best workers.

Dalecio said the company began accepting applications a few days ago and nearly 700 people have picked up applications.

Dalecio said the current employees at the Grand Wailea have a union agreement that applies to the previous owner.

"The employees don't work for us," he said.

He said the purchase of the resort should be completed toward the end of December.

KSL owns and operates a number of resorts, including the La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST in California.