MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- Outside the entrance to the Ohana East Hotel, Marines and Sailors from MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, piled onto the sidewalk. As they exited vehicles, Ohana East employees placed leis around their necks and kissed their cheeks, welcoming them with aloha.In honor of the Marine Corps' 227th birthday, 40 K-Bay Marines and Sailors, including Sgt. Major Filipo Ilaoa, base sergeant major, attended a free luncheon, Nov. 6, compliments of Ohana Hotels Corp. in Waikiki.Marines and Sailors from 1st Bn., 3rd Marine Regiment; 3rd Bn., 3rd Marine Regiment and 1st Radio Bn. attended a luncheon held at Duke's Restaurant located in the Waikiki Outrigger, while the Marines and Sailors from Headquarters Bn., MCB Hawaii and Combat Service Support Group 3 attended a separate luncheon in the Ohana East conference room.Mildred Courtney, corporate director of government and military liaison for Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, felt that the company really needed to do something special for the Marine Corps' birthday, said Chuck Shishido, director of operations for Ohana Hotels. Courtney suggested and arranged the two luncheons with the help of the Ohana Hotels staff."We wanted to help celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps, and show our appreciation to the Marines and Sailors for all the help they have given our company." said Shishido. "They defend our country, stay in our hotels during their liberty and allow us to come to Kaneohe Bay and participate in public functions, such as BayFest, and promote our hotels. We wanted to honor them for all that they do."A small number of Ohana employees from each of the 14 hotels owned by the corporation were invited to attend the luncheon and spend the afternoon with the Marines and Sailors.Staff and military members were seated together at each table, giving them a chance to interact with one another.Lance Cpl. Ruth Corrigeux, a weather observer with Marine Corps Air Facility, spent most of the luncheon discussing Waikiki and the Marine Corps way of life with Lily Tran, guest service manager for Ohana Hotels."This was a great idea. It gives us a chance to get to know the outside community and the company many of us depend on," said Corrigeux. "It's nice to know who is responsible for our service and to have a personal relationship with them, rather then nameless faces."Tran felt that it was an opportunity to "pull back the curtain" on a Marine's everyday life."Marines are portrayed as tough, shoot 'em up types. But the public never gets to see what life is like on an everyday basis. It's really amazing how much work these Marines and Sailors do outside of combat." The luncheon was served as a buffet, allowing guests to have as many servings as they wanted. The buffet offered guests a wide variety of foods such as fruits and salads, rice, potatoes and chicken.Following the buffet, a dessert table was opened up; the centerpiece being a large white cake decorated with the words "Happy Birthday Marine Corps." "This was a good way to show their respect, by actually sitting and talking with us," said Lance Cpl. Justin Arnold, an explosive detection dog handler with the Provost Marshal's Office's canine unit. "We work hard, and it's kind of a thankless job. It's nice to get some gratitude."The Marines and Sailors were each given a gift package of Ohana Hotels merchandise including a beach ball, a tee shirt and a hardcover tour book of Oahu and Ohana Hotels.As the luncheon came to an end, there were hearty handshakes and even a few embraces as the guests left with not only full stomachs but also a better understanding of one another.