One Hawaiian Hotel Closes for Renovations; Another Reopens

Hawaii Magazine is reporting that The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows on the Big Island of Hawaii's Kohala Coast will be closed from September 1 to October 31, as “small renovations” are done on public spaces and its 343 guest rooms. The resort's restaurants will also be closed.

The other resort on the Mauna Lani property, The Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani, will remain open, as will its two golf courses.

Further details of the Mauna Lani renovations are being kept under wraps, although reservations will continue to be accepted for stays beginning November 1.

Meanwhile, in Kauai, The Koa Kea Hotel & Resort has reopened on the footprint of the old Poipu Beach Hotel. Although all the interiors of the Poipu Beach were wiped out during Hurricane Iniki in 1992, the lava rock walls and foundations still stood. It was mainly financial considerations—insurance, ownership changes, a slow Kauai economy—that kept it closed for more than 16 years.

The 120 rooms now have free wireless Internet access, marble showers and large flat-screen televisions. There is a small spa and a restaurant, named for Kauai’s Red Salt.

For more info about these developments, visit www.hawaiimagazine.com.