CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
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Sheraton Moana
Surfrider time capsule
to mark storied past
"It probably pretty much set the tone and a pace for Waikiki and was the forerunner for the luxury hotels that would follow." Chuck Gee
Dean emeritus of the University of Hawaii's School of Travel Industry Management
By Lyn Danninger The Sheraton Moana Surfrider will celebrate its 100-year anniversary today with a special ceremony and the dedication of a time capsule containing historic items from the hotel as well as memorabilia created specifically for the event.
ldanninger@starbulletin.comAs the first lady of Waikiki, the Moana has come a long way since welcoming its first guests in March 1901.
For 26 years, the Moana reigned undisturbed over the Waikiki shoreline. Its nearest historic neighbor, The Royal Hawaiian Hotel was completed in 1927.
When it first opened, a night's stay in the 75-room Moana cost just $1.50 Today, a night in the same historic wing of the property will run $420, said Erica Neves, director of public relations for the property.
It was the first real resort in Hawaii, setting an example for what was to come, said Chuck Gee, dean emeritus of the University of Hawaii's School of Travel Industry Management.
"It probably pretty much set the tone and a pace for Waikiki and was the forerunner for the luxury hotels that would follow," he said.
The hotel also serves to remind people that there was a time when travel was undertaken at a more leisurely pace, Gee said.
"It recalls a time when people traveled by ship and stayed for a season complete with traveling companions and nannies, when getting there was half the fun. It's so different from today when we travel, stay a short time and do our own packing," he said.
The Moana's guests included the rich and famous of the day, such as the then-Prince of Wales, later the Duke of Windsor, who stayed at the hotel in 1920 and was photographed paddling a canoe.
Renovations of the Moana took place in 1918, 1952 and 1969. But it was not until 1989, when the Moana underwent an extensive $50 million renovation that all the buildings were combined with one common lobby and it was renamed the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel.
Prior to that time, the hotel had no swimming pool or even air conditioning, Neves said. Today, such amenities are considered among the basics of any hotel.
Guests in-house for the centennial and other visitors will be invited to sign a guest book to be placed inside the time capsule today, said Neves.
The time capsule will be placed in a koa wood chest to be displayed permanently at the hotel.
Other items in the capsule include historic photos, menus, resort clothing, a commemorative plate and key rings. In addition, all the employees working at the hotel this year will have their names listed on a special scroll to be placed in the time capsule, said Neves.
The idea behind creating a capsule to mark the anniversary came about in large part when employees began planning for the event last year and realized how much of the hotel's historic information was spread throughout the property.
"We had files, archives, photos, menus and the like and some things in storage, but they were at different locations on property," Neves said.
"We wanted something to leave for people so they could see what was done this year to celebrate our 100th anniversary."
Plans call for the centennial time capsule to be opened again in the year 2026 to celebrate the hotel's 125-year anniversary, Neves said.
The centennial time capsule ceremony and entertainment is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and will run till 10:30 p.m. at the hotel's Banyan Court stage. The official program begins at 6:30 p.m.