| Waikiki Beach Walk | |
Outrigger Enterprises has announced an exciting project to significantly improve a vital part of Waikiki by creating a place for visitors and residents alike to gather, enjoy Hawaiian culture and have fun.
The recently announced Waikiki Beach Walk redevelopment project will greatly improve the pedestrian experience by creating more open spaces, widening sidewalks, adding tropical landscapes and water features, and moving building density away from the street.
Plans also call for creating areas for musicians, artisans and others who practice Hawaiian cultural activities to showcase their crafts.
The project has two phases.
Phase One is centered on the Lewers/Kalia area and includes replacing three hotels - the Edgewater Lanais, the OHANA Coral Seas and the OHANA Edgewater - with a new, low-rise, mixed-use hotel and retail complex that promises to transform the Lewers Street area into a new must-visit destination in Waikiki. Phase One is scheduled to begin in early 2003, with completion in 2005.
Kalia Aerial
View - Artist's Rendering
Image Courtesy of Outrigger Enterprises
Phase Two will focus on the block bordered by Saratoga Road, Beach Walk and Kalia Road. It will involve replacing three hotels - the OHANA Reef Lanais, the OHANA Royal Islander, and the Malihini Hotel - with a new, 350-foot-tall Outrigger hotel. Three other hotels will be upgraded. Phase Two is projected to begin in 2006 and be completed by 2010.
Currently the Outrigger/OHANA properties in this area have 3,100 rooms. The hotels involved in the project were all built in the 1950s and 1960s and no longer meet the needs of today's visitor. Despite the razing of three hotels, by the completion of phase two, Outrigger will have about 240 more rooms, offering the modern amenities that today's traveler demands.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $300 million, with $130 million involved in Phase One, and an additional $170 million in Phase Two. Financing for the project has not yet been obtained, pending the securing of necessary permits, including a planned development permit, special management area permit and various demolition/building permits.
In his remarks on July 9, 2001, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Outrigger Enterprises, David Carey, stated, "Outrigger will breathe new life into an important section of Waikiki, and we are doing it in a way that can restore the lure of Waikiki as a favorite gathering place for island residents, as well as visitors. Additionally, we are stressing the use of indigenous building materials, styles, and natural colors found in our local environment, all in an effort to create a wonderful, uniquely Hawaiian, people-friendly place in Waikiki. We will celebrate Hawaii here. As we have throughout our history, Outrigger will continue to promote Hawaiian arts and culture, and we want this to be the premier venue in Waikiki for authentic Hawaiian cultural events, artist demonstrations and performances."
Next page > Official News Release - Phase 1 > Page 1, 2, 3
