TheBuzz
TheBuzz
William F. Mielcke retires Thursday as president of Mauna Kea Properties, which oversees development of the 1,800-acre Mauna Kea Resort in the Big Island's South Kohala district. Mielcke mulls
Mauna Kea memoriesSince joining the company as vice president and project manager in 1981, Mielcke is credited with directing the planning and implementation of some $500 million in capital improvements in the resort's South Kohala ahupuaa known as "Ouli." The property is bounded by the ocean, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and golf course to the north, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and golf course to the south and mauka to the 1,200-foot elevation. In 1987 the resort received the Urban Land Institute Award of Excellence for large scale recreational development.
Mielcke, 65, will spend the next couple days, "not having a party, but saying thank you to all those who've made a difference here at the resort," and then it's off with his wife, Marilyn, for six weeks in Amsterdam, Brussels and France, "at a leisurely pace, whatever the day brings." Undoubtedly lots of good food. "And wine," he added.
For 20 years Mielcke served with Interisland Resorts, which ran the Maui Surf, Kauai Surf, Naniloa Surf and Kona Surf Hotels. He was general manager of the now-closed Kona Surf at the time he left.
He maintains, by the way, that the giant manta rays -- some with a wingspan of perhaps 20 feet -- still congregate at the Kona Surf, but that the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is also a famous spot for the creatures who "fly" underwater.
"It's been a wonderful time," he said. "I've been fortunate to be part of the growth of the visitor industry over the last 40 years, and you know the dynamics of what the jet airplane has brought to us -- both good and bad. It's been an exciting time."
Once back, he'll continue his work as a director of Hawaii Health Systems Corp., which runs all the state hospitals except Kaneohe.
"I have been asked to and will do some consulting work in the resort and residential development area, but I'm going to try and keep that very limited," Mielcke said.
Vice President Yoshiri Asari will step into the presidency for the time being, Mielcke said.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com