A&B gets approval
for Maui airport hotel

Construction is slated for
the first quarter of 2003

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By Gary Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

WAILUKU >> Alexander & Baldwin Inc. plans to begin construction in the first quarter of next year on a 140-room, four-story hotel near the Kahului Airport.

The project is on a triangular parcel across from Costco at the junction of Keolani Place and Haleakala Highway.

With the development on 3.35 acres of land, the firm will have the hotel closest to the main airport, a spot it feels will attract business visitors and passengers arriving too late to want to travel overnight to a distant resort, said Mercer "Chubby" Vicens, an official with A&B Properties Inc.

Vicens said the firm is working with a few small businesses who will have to move from the site, including Thrifty Car Rental and Mr. Pineapple.

The hotel plans to provide courtesy shuttle service for visitors to and from the airport.

The firm estimates the cost of developing the project will total $13 million, including construction and design.

The project includes an outdoor swimming pool, meeting room and exercise room, and should employ 30 to 40 people full time, the firm said.

Marriott Hotel Courtyard will manage the property.

Eventually, the firm plans to develop a restaurant at the apex of the triangular-shaped lot.

Alexander & Baldwin received a special management area permit last week from the Maui Planning Commission.