Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel Rolls Out $65M Renovation

PC: Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel.

“Transformative” enhancements are coming to the Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel, resort representatives announced.

The first phase of the $65 million “Kealaula” renaissance project is expected to be unveiled this spring, with a significant redesign to the 180-room Kauaʻi Wing, additional floor parking, a facelift to the sweeping courtyard including additional native Hawaiian plants, and the launch of a new beachfront restaurant, Huihui.

According to the resort, the word “Kealaula” signifies “the light of early sunrise and the glow of a warm sunset. At both times, the skies are engulfed in beautiful colors and mark the beginning and end of the day. This cyclical event drives the heart of the coming updates as the spirit of ‘Hawaii’s Most Hawaiian Hotel’ will be celebrated and renewed.”

Alika Guerrero, the hotel’s director of Poʻokela program, will overseeing all cultural aspects of the renovation process.

KBH general manager Mike White said the focus of the project is to enhance opportunities to provide culturally enriching guest experiences “for which Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel has become known.”

Resort executives vowed that no employees will be laid off during redevelopment.

“The direction from our owners is that the project must reflect and respect the Hawaiian culture and support our Po’okela programs that have been ongoing for over 30 years. In fact, our ‘ohana of nearly 300 will remain fully employed at KBH, ensuring continuity for our guests throughout this process.”

Rendering of rooms courtesy of Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel.

Hotel executives say each room within the Kauaʻi wing will be upgraded and infused with new and modern design elements and features, while still retaining a strong sense of Hawaiian culture. Exuding an earthy feel with muted palettes, each enhanced guest room will feature employee made Makamae shadow boxes including mākau (fishhooks), lūhe‘e (octopus lure), lei kūpe‘e (nerite lei), lei pipipi (nerite lei) and mea kaua (weapons).

Huihui, the hotel’s new signature restaurant, is themed around the incredible accomplishment of Hawaiian wayfinding and will feature a space to house the hotels’ Hawaiian paddling and sailing canoes. Functioning as a gathering place, the 5,000 square foot venue will serve as both a dining experience and an extension of the properties’ canoeing programs with the eventual addition of a sailing academy.

Originally built in 1964, Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel is set on a three-mile stretch of sandy beach along the western shores of Maui and offers 432 guest rooms and a four-acre courtyard.

The three elements are slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2020, the Lanai, Maui and Molokai wings will remain available for guests during construction as well as dining outlets Tiki Terrace, Tiki Bar & Grill and the Grab N Go.