Parts of the Ilikai hotel could go dark on Feb. 1 following the refusal by its lender to pay for ongoing operations.

The Ilikai homeowners' association is considering shutting off power to 203 condominiums and 16 commercial units owned by troubled Big Island developer Brian Anderson, whose Waikiki landmark property is in foreclosure, according to Lyle Hosoda, attorney for the Owners of the Ilikai Apartment Building Inc., which is owed more than $1.1 million in back electricity and maintenance fees by Anderson's company, Anekona.

“;Darkness will prevail,”; he said. “;There's nobody that looks like they're going to step up and pay. This is not an idle threat. They're a million dollars short and each time the chances of (homeowners) recovering the money is real small.”;

The commercial areas that could be affected include retail space, parts of the parking garage and laundry rooms. The latest hurdle for the Ilikai comes as the hotel's handful of retail tenants already are struggling in the ailing economy.

Anekona's largest tenant and the Ilikai's last remaining restaurant - Sarento's Top of the I - which opened in the mid-1990s, has continued to improve operations, promote and remain in business at the circa-1960s hotel to maintain the integrity of the one-time Waikiki icon symbolizing a memorable era of flamboyance and glamour in Hawaii history, according to Aaron Placourakis, owner of Sarento's.

“;The ironic thing is we've been paying our rent in good faith and fulfilling our obligations,”; said Placourakis, who originally invested more than $2 million in the buildout of his flagship restaurant. “;We're going to continue to do what we've done for the last 15 years, which is remain committed to our loyal following and great customers over the years and maintain the integrity of our restaurant.”;

The hotel's court-appointed receiver Joseph Toy filed a motion to end hotel operations on Feb. 8. His receivership of the property began Oct. 29 as part of a $75 million foreclosure suit brought by lender iStar FM Loans LLC.

The association has explored the option of ceasing power to Anekona's properties for several months now, but at the last minute has received payments from iStar to continue providing electricity. iStar has paid Anekona's maintenance and electricity fees from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31. Anekona's monthly obligations total more than $200,000.

However, the lender said in a letter dated Jan. 9 that the residential assets were losing more than $300,000 per month since at least October 2008 and that “;there is no reasonable prospect under any circumstance that the residential property will appreciably decrease this operating loss, much less generate a profit.”;

The association will decide next week whether to turn off power as of Feb. 1 to Anekona's units, which are being rented through its hotel operation.

Power to the rest of the hotel, including common areas and amenities, will remain intact.

“;Under no circumstances will the entire Ilikai be shut down,”; said Richard Emery, president of Hawaii First Inc., the managing agent for the condominium association. “;Certainly the association is cognizant of the serious effects it may have on visitors and tenants and is evaluating how to mitigate the problem.”;

The condominium hotel has a total of 1,009 rooms, including 140 timeshare units and 170 units separately operated in a condominium rental pool.

“;When you think about this, it certainly is fair that we don't give them free electricity and free services,”; he said. “;The reality of it is we could shut everything off simultaneously.”;