TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Kimberly Agas belongs to an elite group of women in Waikiki -- who bear the general manager title at a hotel. Boys rule in Waikiki
—but so do girlsAgas is the new GM of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, and is one of many female general managers within the company.
According to publicist Nancy Daniels, Agas is the only female GM at a major Waikiki beachfront property.
Former Halekulani GM Patricia Tam has moved up the corporate ladder. Aston also has many female GMs but none run beachfront Waikiki properties.
Agas joined Outrigger in her junior year of college 17 years ago.
Next year she will oversee a major renovation of the 530-room hotel that will support Outrigger Waikiki's branding as an upscale hotel.
The focus is to be a part of the revitalization of Waikiki, she said.
"It's not just the destination of choice for visitors, but a gathering place of choice for kamaaina," Agas said.
Outrigger Waikiki has been home to the Society of Seven show for 33 years. It's also home to popular eatery and hang-out Duke's Canoe Club Waikiki.
She and husband Augustine Agas, a 14-year Honolulu Police Department veteran assigned to the Specialized Services Division, have a 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. The couple met while both worked for Outrigger.
"There was a security situation, he came and was my knight in shining armor, and that started it," she said.
Only insiders know ...
... that Duke's is referred to as "he." Agas said "he's got" live indoor entertainment during the week which moves poolside Friday through Sunday.
"He who?" TheBuzz asked, and Agas said Outrigger staff use the first-person reference because "we always feel like he's still a part of us."
He, of course, is the legendary Duke Kahanamoku for whom the restaurant is named.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com