Four hundred people attended the sensational grand opening party of the 255-room Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort in Phuket, 4 April. Guest of honour, Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut, cut the opening ribbon along with Outrigger senior executives and the company’s founding family members who had flown in from Hawaii for the occasion.

Others flew in from Japan, Korea, Australia, Germany and the UK. Outrigger cultural ambassador Kaipo Ho sang a traditional Hawaiian blessing to show gratitude to the Thai hosts. On a special night characterized by the easy mixing of Hawaiian and Thai hospitality, Outrigger family members played a key role in the celebrations, including, Dr. Richard R. Kelley Chairman of the Board Emeritus of Outrigger Enterprises Group, Dr. Charles R. Kelley, Chairman of the Board of Outrigger Enterprises Group, David Carey, President and CEO, Melvin Kaneshige, Executive Vice President, Real Estate and Development, and Darren Edmonstone, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific.