Kona/Kohala Coast Resort Damage
Sunday October 15, 2006
If you are scheduled to stay anytime soon at any of the resorts from Kailua-Kona north on the west coast of Hawaii's Big Island you should contact the hotel or resort sometime after today to learn if your hotel or resort is open. Initial information is that several hotels and resorts have sustained major structural damage which may result in prolonged closures. We will keep you posted on hotel and resort closings as we become aware of the information. For more information on Sunday's earthquake visit our earthquake information feature.
As we receive confirmed information on hotels and resorts we'll list that information here.
Updated October 17, 2006
There was no need for evacuation of the resort. Complimentary lunch was provided to all guests and team members at 11:30 a.m. Electricity was restored at approximately 12:40 p.m., and limited phone lines are presently working. Hawaiian Telecom has advised that they are working on getting the remainder of phone lines up and running.
Hilton Waikoloa Village is accommodating all needs of guests and team members. The resort is currently advising guests to remain on-property and avoid leaving the resort or hitting the roads. At this time, United Airlines has canceled all inbound flights from the mainland for today. Additionally, American Airlines has canceled all inbound and outbound flights for the day. All inter-island flights are still available, although there are delays. Aloha Airlines inbound and outbound flights to the mainland are also still available.
A complimentary dinner buffet is available for registered guests in the Grand Ballroom. All evening events are canceled and dining outlets are closed. "
The staff on duty assisted our guests in a professional and well organized manner throughout the day and are to be commended for their actions.
We want you to know that we are open, and business is "as usual." Our guests even now are enjoying the "barefoot luxury" for which we are well-known. As repairs to roads and homes are made on the island, those with travel plans to Hawaii should be assured that Kona Village Resort will welcome them with the Aloha Spirit that has defined us for decades."
As we receive confirmed information on hotels and resorts we'll list that information here.
Updated October 17, 2006
Royal Kona Resort
From their news release - "Please be advised that there is "No structural damage to the hotel. All guests are accessing guest rooms, food and beverage outlets and other resort amenities as normal. Please have someone contact our General Manager, Lalo Fernandez, regarding questions on the Royal Kona Resort from the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the Hawaiian Islands earlier this morning."Hilton Waikoloa Village
From our good friend Leanne Pletcher, Marketing Manager - "There are no injuries and currently no structural damage at Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, located within a close vicinity to the epicenter of the earthquake.There was no need for evacuation of the resort. Complimentary lunch was provided to all guests and team members at 11:30 a.m. Electricity was restored at approximately 12:40 p.m., and limited phone lines are presently working. Hawaiian Telecom has advised that they are working on getting the remainder of phone lines up and running.
Hilton Waikoloa Village is accommodating all needs of guests and team members. The resort is currently advising guests to remain on-property and avoid leaving the resort or hitting the roads. At this time, United Airlines has canceled all inbound flights from the mainland for today. Additionally, American Airlines has canceled all inbound and outbound flights for the day. All inter-island flights are still available, although there are delays. Aloha Airlines inbound and outbound flights to the mainland are also still available.
A complimentary dinner buffet is available for registered guests in the Grand Ballroom. All evening events are canceled and dining outlets are closed. "
Kona Village Resort
From another of our friends, Ulrich Krauer, General Manager, Kona Village Resort - "Our first concern following yesterday's earthquake was for the safety and security of our guests and employees. Thankfully, Kona Village Resort sustained no substantive damage at all. Because we are so self-contained, we never lost power and were able to provide uninterrupted service to all our guests. We even opened our food service to guests of other resorts so they were able to enjoy a hot meal.The staff on duty assisted our guests in a professional and well organized manner throughout the day and are to be commended for their actions.
We want you to know that we are open, and business is "as usual." Our guests even now are enjoying the "barefoot luxury" for which we are well-known. As repairs to roads and homes are made on the island, those with travel plans to Hawaii should be assured that Kona Village Resort will welcome them with the Aloha Spirit that has defined us for decades."
Thanks for keeping us posted. I am planning to stay @ Hapuna beach prince hotel which is close to the epicenter. Anyone know of any damage to this resort.
I don’t think you’ll be staying there. News reports (see the link) say it is closed indefinitely due to structural damage. Too bad. It’s a nice place. We stayed there Nov. 04. Check with your travel agent or the Prince reservation people for more information.
How did Mauna Kea and Mauna Lani come through it? We were hoping to go in March of 07.
Hopefully we’ll have confirmed information about the hotels and resorts later today. Much of what we’re getting now is just rumor based on some evacuations yesterday. How much, if any, that some hotels or resorts may be closed remains unclear.
Aloha,
I hope folks in Kona are doing well, I have a vacation booked at the Kona Islander starting next Wednesday (Oct 24th), anyone have any info on how this older building survived, I do plan to call them in a couple of days, I’m sure they have their hands full picking the place up!
Mahalo…. Bob in NH
We’re wondering about the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. We’ve been wanting to go back and stay at this property since we stayed there in 1994. We have reservations to stay there in 3 weeks and 5 days. I know that they are under a major renovation project already but I wondered if they had any damage to add to the other things that are being worked on. Also we’re worried about things being closed and not being able to do all the things that we want to do. It’s devastating that many historical places have been damaged. I’d always hoped that these wonderful things from the past would be protected. It’s terrible that we had nothing to say about it.
Aloha,
As for the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, there is some damage, most of the suites are gone and the 8th floor is pretty much destroyed. The majority of the rooms that were severily damaged were the add on additions after the original hotel was built in 1965. Most of the original structure held up very good. Only about 30% of the hotel rooms, will need to be rebuilt. As for the Mauna Lani, i heard reports that they had to close the hotel down for awhile due to gas leaks and severe damage. If you have a reservation for any of the hotels and it is not within the next month or so, please wait a couple of days or a week or so before calling the hotels, because between taking care of the guest presently on property, and the phones going off the hook with questions, it is really testing everyones patients. Your understanding will be very much appreciated…Mahalo
Any word on Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, the sister resort of Mauna Kea? Thanks.
I’ve written to the firms that handle PR for these resorts mentioned here, but have not heard back. I’ve also written to my contact with the Big Island Visitors Bureau and am awaiting their reply. It might be a few days before we have any definite answers other than for the two resorts I’ve already detailed in the main blog entry.
Anyone heard anything about Kona Village Resort? I have to wonder how all of those little hales held up. I know the neighboring Four Seasons had some minor damage to hotel rooms…
Gavin,
I just posted information received from the General Manager of Kona Village Resort. You can find it in the blog entry related to this comment.
Was there any damage to the Bay Club near the Hilton Grand Vacations Club and Kings court? Glad no one was hurt badly. What about the airport? were the runways damaged?
wondering – I just received information about the Waikoloa Beach Marriott which I’ve added to our blog entry.
Any word about the Fairmont Orchid hotel? We have at rip planned there next month. Thanks!
Were arriving the Orchid this weekend. Our travel agent talked to Fairmont today and told me our trip is still a go. Our group has 50+ couples so Im assuming damage, if any, is minor. She is talking to them tomorrow too so hopefully it stays good news!
We have a trip planned for the Fairmont Orchid starting next week, Oct. 23rd. I have not spoken with the hotel directly but Fairmonts Central Reservations had informed me that they have only recieved cosmetic damage and that the hotel is open and in full service. Pool and all restaurants are open.
I spoke to Sarah at ResortQuest Kona by the Sea and she said they are fine. We will have no problem with our visit there in 2 weeks.
She did say that Mauna Kea Beach Hotel & the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel got a lot of damage and had evacuated most guest.
I have reservation to stay at the Islands of Mauna Lani from 11/22 through 11/28. Do you know whether this resort has sustained any damage?
I am staying at the royal kona resort in 6 wks is it ok
Most resorts have learned that following widespread regional disasters that its best to fix problems quietly. Otherwise the guests won’t return for years.
These resports all block off their long private driveways- the only HWY is a couple of miles above and parallel to the sea.
Helicopters with state officials have aready surveyed the scene from above – probably before noon on Sunday. But the media won’t hear about the true results which is good, because they love to exagerate it.
Brian,
You’re absolutely correct. While many resorts have been very honest, others are clearly being very vague about damage. I suspect the ones we haven’t heard from directly, i.e. Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, Haupuna Beach have sustained substanitial damage.
I’m on Maui now and the damage here is minimal to none. Big Island seems to have sustained some serious damage to historic structures i.e. churches, heiau, and the Hulihe’e Palace in Kailua-Kona for example. Unfortunately this trip takes me to Maui, Kauai and Oahu but not Big Island or I’d be filing some first hand reports.
I’m from Honolulu and plan to stay at Hapuna starting Nov. 6. I’m also fustrated by the the Price Hotels handling of the earthquake damage. They are being very vague. I emailed asking about the pool and tennis facilities and they emailed me back that they are accomodating all reservations (not taking new ones) and their tennis and golf have not suffered any damage and are up and running. Needless to say they didn’t address the “pool” or “spa” facilities. We heard that all the elevators at the Mauna Kea were inoperable. Please try to get the hotel to release a current statement. On the website they promised 24 hour review.
thank you.
UPDATE-Monday, October 16, 2006
MAUNA LANI RESORT ON HAWAII’S BIG ISLAND OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Hawaii’s Premier Resort Weathers Earthquake
October 16, 2006 – Kohala Coast, Hawaii — Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island
of Hawaii is open for business and is continuing to take reservations and welcoming guests as usual, following yesterday’s earthquake.
The resort’s, pool, beach, golf, spa, restaurants and other amenities are all fully operational. All six floors of the hotel are open and operational.
“We are pleased and fortunate that our hotel came through with no structural damage and that all of our guests and associates are safe,” said Kurt Matsumoto, Mauna Lani’s General Manager.
For all of the latest information, visit http://www.maunalani.com. For live scenic images from our webcam, visit http://www.maunalani.com/r_webcams.htm.
This is a just a short note to say how the staff at Mauna Lani exemplified the best of hookipa during this natural disaster. The entire team performed in the most professional and efficient way possible.
They were simply the best in keeping all of the guests reassured and calm, and kept everyone well informed. I cannot begin to tell you how in my over 40 years of being in the visitor industry, through several hurricanes, and other major storms, how the Mauna Lani Resort team was the best I have ever experienced in providing safety, security, and service way beyond anyone’s expectations, and with the best of the aloha spirit.
If only the media could have captured how the Mauna Lani team performed during this time, Hawaii would not be faced with negative press.
Hi Mark and Elizabeth,
Thanks for the updates and, Elizabeth, for your comments re the staff at Mauna Lani. I really haven’t read very much negative press from outside Hawaii. I have read some articles in the Hawaii papers critical of emergency response from come official agencies.
Hopefully, one thing that the affected resorts have learned is the importance of getting word out on their status. I, for one, am printing everything I get word for word from the sources. If they’re being honest then there will be no issues. If not, then I’m sure someone will tell us, but I can’t see why they would lie. It would be very quickly revealed.
John
I couldn’t agree with you more John. It is critical in times of a natural disaster that everyone affected be proactive and honest about their conditions. That’s why we’ve been issuing releases from Mauna Lani daily since the earthquake on Sunday and have also been updating postings on our website daily along with live webcam feeds. We’ve also called and contacted all of our incoming guests and partners to keep them informed and assure them that all is well at Mauna Lani. In our continued quest to be proactive, we are also offering a new special package called “Mauna Lani-Shaken, Not Stirred” inviting guests to enjoy and discover first-hand that the tranquil beauty of Mauna Lani has not been stirred. The “Shaken, Not Stirred” package includes: two complimentary pineapple martinis (shaken, not stirred, of course), daily buffet breakfast for two, daily use of snorkeling equipment, access to the sports & fitness club, nightly Hawaiian entertainment, tours of historic fishponds and petroglyphs, cultural activities and much more. Guests can also enjoy Mauna Lani’s 36 holes of championship golf, Hawaian-inspired spa, oceanfront dining with spectacular Kohala Coast sunsets and miles of white sand beach. Rates from $390 per night, plus applicable taxes. Room categories are subject to availabiity and the package is valid from October 19-December 19, 2006. Packages cannot be combined or used with additional special rates and/or promotions. Restrictions apply.
The above comment from Elizabeth was most gracious and we’ve received numerous similar letters from our guests that were in-house with us on the morning of the earthquake commending the staff at Mauna Lani. I did want to note, though it was sweet of Elizabeth to reference our live webcams, she added a period at the end that won’t allow your readers to link from it. The correct “live webcam” addres is: http://www.maunalani.com/r_webcams.htm
John, mahalo for your response and for keeping your readers and enthusiastic fans of Hawaii informed!
Much appreciated!
Mark
as for the Hapuna Beach Prince, the hotel has some damage in the Lobby area and in some rooms, but for the most part, they are doing good… As for the Mauna Kea, that hotel has severe damage, if you presently have a reservation, I would highly recommed either rebooking at another resort, or at a later date, maybe a year from now… Honestly, the hotel has only maybe 40% of the total rooms, able to accomidate guests in. and as the winter rains start comming, even less rooms will be avail…Good Luck
I was just at the Mauna Kea. The South end wall is damaged, and there are alot of cracks. Many rooms in the north end and the top floor are closed. However, the service was the same – great – and all amenities are open except for the Batik. Some of their dishes are featured at the Pavillion. I might add, when we were there the last week of October, there was a very large (0ver 100) wedding staying there, and all were happy.