Outrigger Enterprises Group describes itself as "a corporate culture deeply influenced by native Hawaiian culture and traditions" and has been honored for that commitment with Keep It Hawai'i awards presented by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority.

"We have a very passionate commitment to the growth of our root culture," said Eric Masutomi, vice president of planning at Outrigger Enterprises Group.

Masutomi noted that the kama'aina hotel chain remains headquartered in Waikiki even though its resorts now stretch to Australia, Asia and the Pacific. He said the company works to instill Hawaiian values in employees acting as hosts to guests.

Masutomi said the company works to honor the history of Hawai'i through programs that feature culture, display art and artifacts and embrace Hawaiian music as a living part of our culture.

Directory maps in the hotel point visitors to landmarks but also include explanations of Hawaiian traditions and practices.

And the Outrigger Reef on the Beach holds weekly 'ukulele lessons as part of its cultural programs for guests.

Masutomi noted that the company won awards this year for the Hawaiian art and artifacts displayed at both the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach and Outrigger Reef on the Beach.

Masutomi said many of the rare objects are on loan from Bishop Museum and are a way to share Hawai'i's culture with people from all over the world.

Outrigger operates — or has under development — 47 properties with close to 12,000 rooms located in Hawai'i, Australia, Guam, Fiji, Palau, Bali and Phuket, Thailand.

Masutomi spoke at an industry holiday breakfast at the Halekulani Hotel on Friday.

The event was sponsored by the Pacific Asia Travel Association and other industry partners and included a silent auction that raises more than $4,000 for The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawai'i, which helps visitors who have emergencies on their vacations.

Masutomi also pointed to Outrigger's emphasis on local music, with Aloha Friday programs, and Steel Guitar Sundays that feature a variety of Hawai'i musicians.

He said at least half the crowds at the larger events are made up of Hawai'i residents. He said the company began stressing the importance of Hawaiian music after noting its diminishing presence a few years back.

The company considered building a hall dedicated to Hawaiian music live performances but opted for more programs, he said. Instead, they decided to "create a hall without walls."

Masutomi oversees real estate planning and development for Outrigger, including the recent Waikiki Beach Walk development.