Luana Hospitality Group, comprised of 5 iconic restaurants on two islands, is excited to announce the promotions of two key senior executives within the organization—Jolene Furuto-Mears to Vice President, Cliften ‘Loetree’ Berry to Culinary Director. Luana Hospitality Group is comprised of Huggo’s, On the Rocks, KAI Eats + Drinks in Historic Kailua Village and Lava Lava Beach Club Waikoloa on Hawaii Island and Lava Lava Beach Club on Kauai.
Luana Hospitality Vice President and Culinary Director Ken Schloss is retiring at the end of the year. Ken was pivotal to growth and expansion of the Luana Hospitality Group having opened Lava Lava Beach Club Waikoloa and Kauai and KAI Eats + Drinks in Kona. Schloss plans to move back to California to be closer to family with plans to travel annually to Italy.
“My partner Eric and I wish Ken Schloss well in his retirement. No one in our organization was more influential than him in our recent growth as a company. We will miss Ken’s culinary flair and leadership,” noted Luana Hospitality Group Principal Scott Dodd.
“We are also thrilled with promoting Jolene and Loetree as key members of the team to help with the overall management of all aspects of Luana Hospitality Group in 2024. We are so fortunate to have them as part of our Luana Hospitality Group team.”
Jolene Furuto-Mears, Luana Hospitality Group Vice President
Furuto-Mears joined Luana Hospitality Group in 2020. She currently manages the Human Resources and Administrative Departments for all five Launa Hospitality restaurants. The Kona native was previously the Regional HR Director for the YMCA in California for 14 years.
Cliften ‘Loetree’ Berry, Luana Hospitality Culinary Director
Loetree settled on Hawaii Island in 1998 and has had a long culinary career on the island. He previously worked at Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, Merrimans, Sansei and worked at huggo’s for several years and left as Executive Chef. Loetree returned to Luana Hospitality Group to open Lava Lava Beach Club Waikoloa after the extensive property renovation last year. He will assume all culinary oversight for five restaurants.
Looking for a great sunset cocktail or a chance to dip your toes in the sand while experiencing island culinary delights? If so, stop by any one of Luana Hospitality Group’s restaurants and say hi to the team.
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About Luana Hospitality Group
Eric von Platen Luder and Scott Dodd’s Luana Hospitality Group has built a collection of culinary experiences into a collection of restaurants that create unique environments with extraordinary experiences to encourage guests to celebrate something every day.
With its stunning waterfront location, Huggo’s is Kona’s leading restaurant for just-caught seafood, spectacular sunsets and casual elegance. On the Rocks focuses on lighter fare with sandy toes, live Hawaiian music and daily hula. Lava Lava Beach Club Waikoloa is a fun, beachfront restaurant where visitors dine, drink, celebrate, and revel in laidback luxury. Lava Lava Beach Club Waikoloa is also home to four beachfront cottages, providing all the comforts of a private home, the convenience of a beachfront hotel, and the excitement of a surf shack. Lava Lava Beach Club Kauai crafts island inspired cuisine with oceanfront, sandy toes seating, umbrella drinks and a distinctly Hawaiian vibe at the Kauai Shores Hotel. And Kai Eats + Drinks is that hip, trendy, fun restaurant on Oneo Bay in Historic Kailua Village.
Visit www.luanagroup.com for more information.
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Luana Hospitality Group, comprised of 5 iconic restaurants on two islands, is excited to announce the promotions of two key senior executives within the organization—Jolene Furuto-Mears to Vice President, Cliften ‘Loetree’ Berry to Culinary Director. Luana Hospitality Group is comprised of Huggo’s, On the Rocks, KAI Eats + Drinks in Historic Kailua Village and Lava Lava Beach Club Waikoloa on Hawaii Island and Lava Lava Beach Club on Kauai.