---

Joyce Matsumoto leaving
the Halekulani hotel
after 16 years

JOYCE Matsumoto is stepping down as director of public relations at the Halekulani in Waikiki, a move sure to inundate the luxe hotel with a sea of resumes from hopeful successors.

Matsumoto leaves the hotel April 5 after "16 wonderful years," she said. She will relocate to Nevada, where she has invested in real estate.

Matsumoto has hosted travel writers and shepherded news media and television production crews from around the world, helping them with story assignments that sometimes didn't even involve the hotel. More often than not, the hotel and its rooms, restaurants and refined cuisine were highlights of the stories.

Matsumoto might not have wound up at the Halekulani had she not once been collecting unemployment on Maui. She was studying for a career in real estate and had to get a potential employer's signature on a card to prove to state officials that she was trying to get a job in the meantime.

In 1980, she casually attended a job interview at what was then the Hotel Intercontinental Maui, now known as the Wailea Marriott Resort. She was hired as the public relations manager.

"It was really a wonderful opportunity for me. It gave me the start on the career that I've had for 25 years."

After nine years, an opportunity arose at Halekulani, where "every event has been very memorable."

"It's like recreation because everyone here at the hotel is so spirited, making every event at the Halekulani successful -- and that's the absolute truth ... everyone puts out 150 percent, or 200 percent."

General Manager Fred Honda credits Matsumoto, to a large degree, for Halekulani's renown.

"I'm saddened to see Joyce go. She has really been, I believe, highly responsible for the image, reputation and media coverage that we've had over the years ... worldwide."

"I consider her one of the most loyal and dedicated persons in the industry."

Honda announced his own retirement late last year, so the company has two significant positions to fill. Resumes will be accepted at the hotel.

Presidential props

Tony Honda has won a President's Award for outstanding performance in 2004.

American Honda Motor Co. presents the award "to only the best dealerships -- those that focus on the total dealership experience for our customers," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president, in a statement.

The Tony Honda car dealership in Waipio, cornerstone of the Tony Group Autoplex, will sport the President's Award logo on the door and the trophy in its showroom.

"The award represents a concerted effort by all Tony Honda employees to be the premier Honda dealer, not just in Hawaii but in the country," said General Manager Steve Schaper.

Tony Honda was named for Tony Masamitsu, who opened his first car dealership in Japan in 1967. Hawaii's first Tony Honda dealership opened in 1977.