After months of delay, Wyland Waikiki opens

The hotel underwent $30 million in work and changed flags

Following months of delay, a battle over mold, a change of flags and tens of millions of dollars in renovations, the long-awaited Wyland Waikiki hotel is now open.

A traditional Hawaiian blessing was held yesterday for the 405- room hotel fronting Kuhio Avenue at 400 Royal Hawaiian Ave.

Chicago-based Lodging Capital Partners LLC recently awarded Outrigger Enterprises Group a contract to manage the hotel, replacing the Hilton Hotels Corp., which had been planning to brand the Wyland a Doubletree.

With Outrigger managing the property, the hotel comes full circle, evolving from the former budget Ohana to the Wyland Waikiki, which will operate as its own hotel brand within the portfolio.

The hotel is expected to target young, hip travelers by offering high-definition plasma TVs, iPod-compatible alarm clocks and Wyland's artwork, with room rates starting at $169 a night.

"We are confident that it's going to achieve a strong following," said David Carey, Outrig-ger's president and CEO.

A signature restaurant, day spa and fitness center, also delayed, are slated to open in a few months.

Kimo Bean Coffee Co. plans to open in the hotel in May.

The property has changed hands twice over the last two years. San Diego-based eRealty Cos. bought the hotel, formerly the Ohana Waikiki Surf, for upwards of $30 million in 2005 from Japan-based Katokichi Co. Ltd.

Then in June, Lodging Capital Partners bought the property for $94 million.

The hotel was originally expected to open in July, following a $30 million renovation.

It actually opened 36 rooms in October, but closed shortly thereafter to remove mold that was found in some rooms.