Hale Koa plans $8
million renovation

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By Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.com

The Hale Koa Hotel, the military's premier recreation facility in Waikiki, will begin an $8 million five-year renovation project this year, which includes upgrading all of the rooms in the original wing, built in 1975.

The $8 million contract, awarded to Kiewit Pacific Co. of Kapolei, was announced this week by Rep. Neil Abercrombie.

Mike Nakaahika, the hotel's marketing director, said $3.5 million has been set aside to redo the hotel's laundry room and storage areas.

"The company which provided the laundry equipment no longer is in business, so we couldn't get replacement parts," he said.

Nakaahika said the renovation was originally supposed to have cost $10 million, but the entire project was scaled back after last year's Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The Hale Koa Hotel is a military facility that caters not only to uniformed personnel and military retirees, but also to civilians who work for the Department of Defense.

It is maintained by funds generated by military clubs, recreation facilities, commissaries and exchanges and not tax dollars.

All of the 410 units in the original wing will be upgraded with new carpets and wall coverings, and renovated bathrooms, Nakaahika said.

Other renovations include upgrading the wing's elevators and the hotel's outdoor luau facility.

Nakaahika said a covering will be built over the luau area near the beach, with better lighting and increased seating to 800 from 600.

The hotel's last major renovation took place in 1995 when it added a new wing with 407 units.