Press Kit

HAWAI`I’S BIG ISLAND IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING – IN SIZE, ACCOMMODATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Hawai`i’s Big Island (Summer 2007) — On Hawai`i’s Big Island, rejuvenation and renewal is a constant theme as Kīlauea’s eruption creates new land out of molten lava almost every day. The same concept applies to the Big Island’s vacation experiences, with resorts, hotels and B&Bs constantly upgrading, refreshing and renewing their properties, to the tune of more than $350 million. New shopping and attractions add to the diverse splendor of Hawai`i’s Big Island.

Resorts, Hotels + B&Bs

An all-new resort experience awaits guests at the 17-acre oceanfront Waikoloa Beach Marriot Resort & Spa, with the completion of its spectacular $50 million upgrade. Overlooking beautiful, historic `Anaeho`omalu Bay, the resort’s extensive enhancements include comfortably redesigned Pacific-influenced guestrooms, featuring Marriott’s Revive bedding, the bi-level award-winning Mandara Spa with luxurious treatments, a new Infinity-edged saltwater pool, refurbished surf-themed restaurant and a delightful welcome entry with a brand new porte cochere and main lobby. The 12,000-square-foot Naupaka Ballroom opened in April for meetings and banquets – it’s the newest meeting facility on the Big Island. Visit www.waikoloamarriott.com, or call toll-free (800) 922-5533 or the resort at (808) 886-6789 for more information and reservations.

Extreme Makeover — Hilton Waikoloa Village Edition: This world-class resort invested over $90 million in capital improvements in a three-year period, and practically every square inch of the 62-acre, 1,240-room resort shows it. Guest rooms have been completely rejuvenated, and all feature Hilton Serenity Beds, plus 27-inch flat-screen TVs, new carpet, fresh paint and more. The ballrooms and meetings facilities are also enhanced, while the restaurants and lounges received special attention, too. Hilton Waikoloa’s famous, newly upholstered mahogany canal boats have new engines to whisk passengers to their accommodations, the pools have been retiled, and the 176-foot twisting slide was recreated, and much more. Future improvements include development of the Dolphin Quest Village, and the renovation of 40 suites. To learn more, visit www.hiltonwaikoloa.com

Hawai`i Island’s newest luxury property is a boutique healing retreat: Ahu Pohaku Ho`omaluhia (Sacred Stones). Ahu Pohaku is an eco-friendly lodge and spa retreat located on 60 oceanfront acres in North Kohala (the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great), opening this fall. Highlights of the sanctuary include spacious grounds and guest rooms, views of the cobalt Pacific through a grove of ironwood trees, a 1,200- square-foot yoga studio, a natural amphitheater for outdoor meetings and lū`au, and the undeniable presence of Hawaiian mana (divine power) throughout. Treatments, like lomilomi massage, draw from the guidance of Hawaiian ancestors. Each guestroom features a large bathtub which can be filled with fragrant Hawaiian blossoms. Ahu Pohaku produces its own electricity via solar cells, and grows much of its own food, flowers and herbs. Fields of tropical blooms and native healing plants such as kī and `awa are harvested, and the retreat also grows kukui nuts, which yield a remarkably light oil used in healing treatments. Special opening rates from $275 to $400 per night. Visit www.hawaii-island-retreat.com, email info@hawaii-island-retreat.com, or call (808) 889-6336.

Hawai`i’s majestic cascading waterfalls usually can only be enjoyed from afar. But guests staying at The Inn at Kūlaniapia Falls in Hilo can splash in the property’s private 120-foot waterfall. Take in Kūlaniapia waterfall from the inn’s newest addition, the five-bedroom Harmony House, which opened this summer. The Harmony House features 10-foot ceilings, hardwood floors, marble baths, full kitchen and dining room. Rates from $139 to $169 per night, double occupancy. Call (808) 935-6789 or toll-free (866) 935-6789, or e-mail waterfall@hilo.net for reservation reservations and more information. www.waterfall.net

The Royal Kona Resort on lively Ali`i Drive in Kailua-Kona has benefited from a $10 million upgrade. The lobby was enhanced, and guestrooms in the Ali`i and Lagoon Towers have new carpeting, lamps and bedding, plus marble showers, granite countertops, tile flooring in the bathroom and a wet bar. But for a real tropical drink, head to the hotel’s oceanfront, newly refurbished Don the Beachcomber Restaurant – which is said to have invented the first Mai Tai. Cheers! www.hawaiihotels.com

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai`i in the breathtaking Mauna Lani Resort, has invested $15 million in a continuing renovation project which rejuvenated its already lovely 540 guest rooms including all new carpet, paint, decor, bedding and wallpaper plus adding Plasma screen TVs to the suites. Padded hangers in the closets, feather pillows on all beds are a luxe touch, and the installment of energy efficient lighting throughout the resort keeps its green reputation well lit. By September, the public areas will have new paint, chandeliers, wall coverings and furniture and newly refinished koa wood floors in the inviting Polo Bar. The custom sushi bar in the outstanding Japanese restaurant Norio’s keeps guests coming back year after year. www.fairmont.com/orchid

The new owners of Kailua’s landmark King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, InvestWest Financial Corp./Pacifica Hotel Co., have announced they will invest $25 million to renovate the 460-room oceanfront property. The hotel, which stands at the north end of Alii Drive, was built in the mid 1970s and was last updated in 1997. www.konabeachhotel.com

With its recent $2 million renovation, the ResortQuest Kona by the Sea provides guests a “front row” seat to watch a beautiful sunset or to listen to the ocean’s soothing waves. Furnished island-style, this intimate condominium resort provides the ideal “home away from home” – complete with outdoor barbecues, a swimming pool and free parking. Fronting a magnificent rocky shoreline, the resort features a sandy lounging area where guests can soak in the sun or unwind under the shade of trees. With easy access to nearby attractions, guests can venture down the road to enjoy the charm of historic Kailua-Kona town with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants. www.resortquesthawaii.com

No plans have been announced to make any changes to the upscale Hualālai Resort, its two resorts or residential properties since computer magnate Michael Dell’s investment firm, MSD Capital and global investment firm Rockpoint Group, jointly bought the 865-acre Hualālai Resort and Four Seasons Resort Hualālai last year, then the iconic Kona Village Resort earlier this Spring. That suits Kona Village Resort’s loyal return guests just fine, who prefer that the 125-bungalow Hawaiian getaway stays the way it is. www.hualalairesort.com

Construction of Hawai`i’s newest vacation ownership project is well underway. Hilton Grand Vacations Company’s Kings’ Land is rising from the ground with its 198-unit development phase of the potential seven development phases for completion in August 2008. Adjacent to one of two championship golf courses within the Waikoloa Beach Resort, the property will feature views of the Kings’ Course to one direction, the majestic Mauna Kea with its world-renowned observatories to another and beautiful sunsets. The initial phases call for the development of villa-style, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units on 29.7 acres of the undeveloped 112-acre property purchased in 2005 from the Waikoloa Land Company. Kings’ Land has a projected build-out period of a decade, demonstrating Hilton Grand Vacations Club’s commitment to the Big Island, its economic future and forecast and to the island’s residents through the numerous employment opportunities now, as well as into the future. For more information, call 808-886-8700 or visit www.hiltongrandvacations.com

Shopping and Other Diversions

The 28-acre, $150 million Queens’ MarketPlace and Cultural Gardens is a 135,000+ square-foot retail, dining and entertainment complex, and it’s nearing completion on the Kohala Coast’s Waikoloa Beach Resort. With a Spring/Summer 2008 opening will be a 4,000-seat amphitheater and performance garden—the future home of the Moku o Keawe international hula competition. Particularly exciting, besides the performance venue, and a list of tempting tenants, is the new D.K. Kodama restaurant, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, and a huge new gourmet grocery store, which will be a hit with locals and visitors alike. www.waikoloabeachresort.com

Kings’ Shops at Waikoloa Beach Resort is adding approximately 25,000 square feet of new space with groundbreaking scheduled for Fall 2007. Two new buildings, lush landscaping and numerous relaxing seating areas will be added to complement the diverse array of shops, restaurants and Exclusive Designer Boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Baron & Leeds and Coach, at the popular venue. www.waikoloabeachresort.com

The Shops at Mauna Lani opened last year and is the Big Island’s newest shopping/dining destination, with 75,000 square feet of retail space. The center’s 26 establishments – of which 80% are unique to the Big Island – offer a wide selection of services and shopping, including art galleries and fashion/lifestyle, jewelry and gift & specialties stores. For food and dining, SML is home to a Marble Slab Creamery and Starbuck’s Coffee along with three restaurants – Dara’s Thai Cuisine and signature restaurants Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Opening this fall will be the popular Japanese fusion-cuisine restaurant Kenichi Pacific and a gourmet food market. Ongoing special events include weekly Thursday and Friday evening performances of the Hawaiian mythology show Ho‘olina – The Legacy at 7:30 and 8:30 by an ensemble from the Big Island’s Merrie Monarch-winning hula troupe Halau Na Lei o Holoku. www.theshopsatmaunalani.com

Media Contact:
Jessica Ferracane
President, Irondog Communications LLC
Representing the Big Island Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 1093
Kurtistown, HI 96760
Cell: (808) 895-5740
Home office: (808) 968-0624
Email Inquiries