Peter Apo’s “Behind the Aloha”

If you look at the back cover of Managing with Aloha, the first endorsement you’ll read there is from Peter Apo, Director of the Hawaiian Hospitality Institute, and a gentleman I greatly admire.

Many consider Peter to be Hawaii’s current day kupuna (honored elder) when it comes to teaching of our Hawaiian values, for it is Peter who is most recognized for continuing to champion the teachings of the late Dr. George Kanahele. I’ve referred to Dr. Kanahele here and on Talking Story as the author of Kū Kanaka and I’m sure I will do so again, for his writings continue to be a source of renewed inspiration for me.

Sidebar: You can read a short passage from Dr. Kanahele by taking this next link; it is one I had noted for Talking Story on leadership, and it also includes a graphic of his book cover:
Manage with Aloha, Lead with Aloha.

When I decided to publish Managing with Aloha, it led me to forging an early-in-my-business partnership with Peter in bringing Hawaiian values-based management to a few companies on O‘ahu, taking the leap inter-island with Say Leadership Coaching. I became part of the “faculty ‘ohana” of the Hawaiian Hospitality Institute. I was very fortunate to both teach, and be taught by Peter in continuing my own learning. As I took copious notes, I would often think, I wish Peter would write, and now, to my great delight, I see that he has!

Behind the Aloha, for Hawaii Hospitality Online
By Peter Apo

“Behind the Aloha” is a welcome opportunity to share my mana‘o (perspectives, thoughts and ideas) on aspects of the relationship between the Native Hawaiian community and Hawaii’s tourism industry. Each column will explore opportunities in the relationship that can contribute to a 21st century Hawaii tourism future characterized by mutual understanding, respect and dignity.

Peter and I, along with many others, believe we are in a crucible of long overdue change in Hawaii’s business environment, particularly in regard to our hospitality industry. With less than 3% unemployment and in dire need of managerial and professional talent, Hawaii is in the throes of a labor crisis, a housing crisis, and (in my opinion) an ever-growing educational crisis. We cannot continue to thrive if we are not brave enough, and smart enough, to champion change which may be uncomfortable for many, but which is indisputably necessary.

Peter and I also believe, that our sense of place and our respectful honor of our history as keiki o ka ‘āina, children of Hawai‘i nei, hold many of the answers we are seeking, and that we cannot go wrong if we live in truth to our values.

In his article, Peter speaks of two concepts of Hawaiian hospitality he advocates we must translate into a business model of welcoming and entertaining strangers:

“The first is what I term ‘host first,’ and the second is Laulima, or many hands working together.”

It is part of a guest-host-place trilogy Dr. Kanahele had taught us, Peter and I and others, and it is one which I truly believe must frame the Hawaiian business model if we are to achieve a better, and more culturally-correct sustainability for the travel and tourism industry here. Being successful is not good enough; people must thrive.

However, I also believe the guest-host-place trilogy can be a universal concept for the industry globally. Those of you reading who have become students of Managing with Aloha, a book written about our universal values, will recognize many of the concepts of which I speak in Peter’s inaugural “Behind the Aloha” column, most notably in regard to Kuleana, and our responsibility for leadership.

The guest-host-place business model speaks to sense of place in a manner you may not have previously considered before. If you love where you live, and you consider yourself part of tourism, travel, or any ‘hospitality industry’ you will want to learn of it. It IS a business model, a sustainable one designed to help people thrive, and feel good about who they are, and the kind of work they do.

To start, do read Peter’s inaugural column.

Let’s have more conversation about this here.

I am also reflecting on all of this with a renewed conviction, and will write more soon. It is important, and it is overdue.

Host first makes the way you think about your relationship to the guest very personal. If management could get every one of their employees to think host first it would make a difference as to how they relate their job performance more directly to the guest experience. If everyone in the workforce carried out their responsibility as though they were performing their function face to face with a guest it would completely change their attitude about what they do, how they do it, and their sense of self-worth and value to the visitor experience.
—Peter Apo

A bonus for you: See a great picture of Peter, and his feelings on sense of place here. The question, What does ‘sense of place’ mean to you? is answered by five others as well, all respected kūpuna in Hawaii.