August 16, 2013?- Honolulu, Hawaii – Aqua Hotels & Resorts,?www.aquaresorts.com, announced promotions for Matthew Pickett at Polynesian Plaza, Kahea Colon for Aqua Bamboo Waikiki and Aqua Waikiki Joy, and Nicole Yoshimoto at Aqua Bamboo Waikiki.
“Aqua is pleased to promote a trio of results-oriented professionals to positions of greater importance,” said Ben Rafter, Aqua’s President and CEO. “Each has the proven leadership skills and strong work ethics that set the right tone for both new and experienced members of the company.”
Matthew Pickett, General Manager, Polynesian Plaza
Pickett transferred from Lotus Honolulu to Polynesian Plaza as General Manager where he will oversee the hotel’s renovations process and launch of the property as a luxury, urban boutique.
A member of the Aqua ohana since 2010, where he was Resort Manager, then General Manager, for the oceanfront Aqua Kauai Beach Resort, Pickett recently guided Lotus Honolulu through a successful $2.5 million room renovation and upgrade. Prior to Aqua, he spent five years with Halekulani and Waikiki Parc Hotels and also held management positions at Hawaii Convention Center, Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and Grand Wailea Resort & Spa.
Pickett has a B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.
Kahea Colon, Area General Manager, Aqua Bamboo Waikiki and Aqua Waikiki Joy
Colon was promoted to Area General Manager overseeing two Aqua boutique properties.
Colon has been with Aqua since in 2006 when she came onboard as Assistant General Manager for Aqua Palms Waikiki. Most recently, she held the position of General Manager for Aqua Bamboo Waikiki.
Nicole Yoshimoto, Hotel Manager, Aqua Bamboo Waikiki
Yoshimoto was promoted to Hotel Manager for Aqua Bamboo Waikiki. She joined Aqua is 2008 and was previously the hotel’s Guest Services Manager.
Prior to Aqua, Yoshimoto was Assistant Front Services Manager at Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel.