Hawaiian Village opens $95 million Kalia Tower
Advertiser Staff
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa opened its $95 million Kalia Tower yesterday, the first major resort development in Waikiki in more than a decade.
Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser
About 40 guests checked in to stay in the tower, which includes 453 guest rooms.
Pua Ali'i 'Ilima dancers, from left, Dodie Haumea, Dukie Akioka and Kalaekea Akioka struck poses like the statue that was unveiled at the new Hilton Kalia Tower. The the statue is called Kaha Ka 'Io Me Na Makani, which means "the hawk soars on the winds." The $95 million Kalia Tower at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa is the first major resort development in Waikiki in more than a decade.
Six floors of the 25-story tower are open; all rooms will be open Monday.
Yesterday's opening ceremonies included the unveiling of a sculpture by Kim Duffett of two females and a 15-foot male performing hula kahiko (ancient hula).
Inside Kalia Tower, a new collection of art includes murals by Hawai'i artists Yvonne Cheng and Roy Tabora, as well as John Dinsmore and Georg James.
"Today's ceremony marks the soft opening of Kalia Tower, and the beginning of a new era for the Hilton Hawaiian Village," said Peter Schall, senior vice president-Hawaii region for Hilton Hotels Corp., and managing director of Hilton Hawaiian Village.
When it opens, the hotel's Mandara Spa will include treatment rooms, a cardiovascular center, a full-service salon and a cafe. The Village's Spa and Wellness Center will include diagnostic and therapeutic medical services.
The Bishop Museum at Kalia is scheduled to open this August. Hilton officials have said it will be the largest Hawaiian exhibit in Waikiki focusing on Waikiki's history, using cultural interpreters, music and dance, artifacts and hands-on activities.
Kalia Tower also will offer executive floors, an executive lounge, meeting facilities, and Niumalu Cafe & Bar.
Boutiques at the tower will include Kohala Bay Collections, offering Tommy Bahama's resort wear; Aloha Ukulele; and Philip Rickard of Honolulu, which sells Hawaiian heirloom jewelry.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated whan all the rooms of the Kalia Tower would be open.
