I am Chuck Cavanaugh, the web site administrator for Le Plaza Haiti site. I live in the USA and I have no direct knowledge of events in Port-au-Prince. However, in response to so many desperate messages, I have created this blog which will allow others to share information. When I do receive information, I will post it here, as well as onto the front page of the main site: www.plazahaiti.com.
The only bit of news we have concerning the hotel was a brief cell phone conversation between the hotel manager, Agnes Pierre-Louis, and her sister in San Francisco. Agnes reported that herself and her father were in good shape. She said that so far as she could tell (in the dark) the hotel appeared to be structurally sound.
That first evening, members of the staff and the hotel guests were spending the night outdoors, in the parking lot – this out of concern for the series of powerful aftershocks.
As of this Thursday morning, we have no new information at all.
You are welcome to leave your comments and messages below.
This is an example of a comment. You are welcome to post your own comment here.
My brother was supposed to be working at that hotel. PLEASE, can anyone confirm Rodney Rightenburg being at Le Plaza Hotel?
Laura,
My name is Ken Lingle my wife and I worked wih Rod, in Woodstock VT, and Nemacolin in PA. we loved rodney to death and our thoughts go out to you and your family. I just learned of his passing today, rodney was a great chef and we loved him dearly may he rest in Peace.
God bless u in your time of tragedy
Wonderful news that your Hotel is still standing and is able to help the many people of Port au Prince. I am looking for my brother, David Krempa. He may have been staying at your hotel, he is an American Citizen who was working in Haiti for Tortug’ Air. If you have any records of hotel guests or if anyone has any information, please email me at jlkrempa@gmail.com
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU ALL!
Mon père Denis Bellavance citoyen canadien résidait à votre hôtel chambre 212B, nous sommes sans nouvelles depuis le tremblement de terre. Il donnait des conférences à l’Université de Port-au Prince 19, ruelle Rivière. Si vous avez des renseignements à son sujet, nous en serions très contents.
We are a US based Company that had an employee from Taiwan working at Tele-Haiti and staying at the Le Plaza. We have been told he is there in the parking lot. He wears a hearing aid in his right ear and speaks Chinese, Taiwanese and limited English. We are desperate to have confirmation that he is at the hotel and safe. We will find a way to get him back to Taiwan to be with his family that is frantic with worry. May you all be safe and you continue to stay in our prayers.
My brother was supposed to be working at that hotel. PLEASE, can anyone confirm Rodney Rightenburg being at Le Plaza Hotel? If anyone has any information PLEASE contact me via email @ daivdbrent001@yahoo.com
Nous sommes de tout coeur avec vous, Direction, Membres et Personnel de l’Hôtel Plaza, nous y avons séjourné en octobre, lors de notre visite pour signature de document concernant l’adoption de notre petite fille, elle était à l’Hôtel avec nous toute la semaine 19 au 27 octobre 2009. Nous vous avions apprécié tous et pensons bien à vous.
Avez vous des nouvelles de la Crèche Espoir des Petits Anges d’HAITI , là où est notre petite fille ? nous sommes terriblement inquiets… des nouvelles de Mme BERNADIN et de Maître DUCLERVIL ?
Merci à toute personne pouvant nous aider. Pensons bien à vous.
Marie-Christine et Philippe FLAMANT (FRANCE)
Glas to hear you are up and running considering the awful and tragic circumstances. We too have missing friends and are sailing there to offer assistance. If you know of anyone media or rescue crews needing safe offshore accomodations please forward our contact information. We can moore our catamaaran safely offshore and accomodate 8-12 people providing everything they need.
Captain connor.
I am the brother of the hotel managers on the ground and am trying desperately to get to Haiti.
where are you sailing from?
I am the daughter-in-law of one of the guests who is staying at the hotel…Emerson Oram, his brother is there with him, Vaden Oram. Could you please get word to them that we are doing all we can to find out information on when the Canadian Government is planning on making contact with them. We know they are safe at the hotel and are thankful for that. Please tell them that we are anxious for their safe return and love them with all our hearts…Susan.
If you have any information on these two guests would you please email me.
Two guests staying at the hotel are my father Emerson Oram and his brother Vaden Oram. We have had contact with them up until last night. We know for certain that CNN are there as he interviewed my Dad last night.. No word from there since that time. Let them know that we are doing all we can to get our government to get them out of there. We love them and are praying and believing God that he will get them home safely. Praying also for all the others there and the ones affected by this tragedy. Please contact us ASAP with information on them..Daughter Corina
looking for my dad Vaden Oram and my uncle Emerson Oram…
Thank you Chuck Cavanaugh for setting up this blog!!!
This message is for Jeanne Perretty…Is his name Jeff? My husband got a cell phone call out from La Plaza just after the quake hit and gave us a telephone number in Taiwan to phone and leave a message saying “Jeff OK”.
To Agnes,
Agnes – We’re all thinking of you here. Really glad to hear that you and your dad are okay. If there’s anything at all we could do to help from here, please let us know.
Jessie Mello
Yes his name is Jeff. We received a cell call yesterday that he is still at the hotel, safe and with food. We are so thankful for your telephone call. We are trying to get him back home so please if you are with him please try to find a way for him to call his brother Gordon in Taiwan. They are frantic for his return. Thank you for replying to my comment.
Hi, We are a local news provider for Aruba and Curacao and work for different newspapers, radio stations, tv stations and website providing news. I would like to cover the aftermath and am looking for a place to stay. It is for one person only, doing camera, photo reporting and interviews. Please contact me on m.denz@24ora.com if you have any space available and or other suggestions.
To Fred Pierre-Louis, have just read your web masters blog and found out that – Thank God – you and your family are alright. I’m holding good thoughts for you. – Angela
Hi I am looking for my cousin Pierre-Richard Moiso who is the head chef at the Plaza. I am praying to God that he was at work on Tuesday as I can have some relief since the hotel is still standing and people have food but I would like confirmation that he was there and ok and also if he said anything about his son Joseph and his whereabouts. Anyone with any information please let me know.
Thank you. Yola
I believe this is the hotel belonging to Mr. Pierre-Louis for whom I met while practicing law in Miami in the 1980s. I wanted to know if so and and to ask if he is ok. I am glad to hear the Hotel is still operating and have been very concerned about Mr. Pierre-Louis. Could someone let me know if he is ok?
Best
Joan Tumpson
I am Marsiglia Chantale native from Haiti living in Guadeloupe. I am looking for my sister MAIGNAN TRICHET MARIE YOLENE, she is Human Ressource Manager at this Plaza Hotel.I am looking for her since the day of the earthquake. Could you please give infomation about the hotel staff and precisely Yolene. If you have seen her or heard about her please leave a message on clodindarin@wanadoo.fr or call me on my cell + 590 690 50 69 54.
Thank you and God bless you
Agnes
I am Colonel Ricardo Sanchez of Chile who lived in 2008 at the Hotel. I very much regret what happened and send you my heartfelt support in this tragedy I wonder what happened to your family vlaimir, jean claude, and Ms. Sandy mikaelm working in the dining room can not remember his name and his son a very high one.
Affection and strength from Chile If you send me your mail
Greetings to all staff of the Hotel
My mail is sanchezopazo@yahoo.com
atte.
Ricardo Sanchez
Hello to all,
Thank you Chuck and my mom who have been managing the blog. I am managing Le Plaza and just wanted to confirm that we are all ok. We got internet working yesterday but phone lines are still not running well. Most of the original guests have left the hotel so should be getting back to you soon. all of our staff is accounted for although most of them have lost everything. We do have some cracks in the building but overall we are ok and operating. We were EXTREMELY lucky.
We have blocked out all reservatins until the end of february and as you were made aware, operating on a first come first serve basis (with a waiting list). We are operating with 12 hours of generator a day so communication is still not at its best.
I want to thank everyone who wrote to us and have done my best to pass along the messages. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible but are still operationg in crisis management mode.
I will try to stay in contact as much as possible.
Thank you again
Agnes
Hi Agnes!
I lived in Haiti back in ‘74 -’79. Our family was friends w/ Fred. Is this your father?
We have been wondering how he is and how things are since the quake. I read all the comments and realize you are doing pretty well considering.
My family and I plan to come to Haiti in late Oct. It will my husband and my 30th anniversary.
We hope to visit Le Plaza and see Fred. I am not sure he will remember me (Becky) but he will remember the family I was with, Fannie Hale, Dianna and Dan. We lived in the Carrefour area beside the Royal Haitian Casino.
I wanted to let your father know that Dianna passed away about 6 yrs ago. Her son, Benjamin is Haitian and he lives near us.
Could you tell me if the Royal Haitian is still in operation? Also, would your father remember Joe Gonzalas who was the manager there back in the late ’70s? Actually, I believe I heard that he was working at Le Plaza later on.
Can you tell me anything about Joe? He was a dear friend of our family.
Also, Toman and Fred were good friends. Toman owned a car dealership in town. Could you tell me about him?
Thank you. Hope to visit in October!
Becky Hale
I expect to arriving in Port Au prince on Sunday 31/02/10. I am a photojournalist working for London based magazines , please could you let me know how likely it is there will be available accommodation with food, water and power by then , many thanks Louis