Halekulani shopping worldwide to expand upscale experience

By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer

Halekulani Corp. is shopping locally and across the Pacific for more hotels to expand the company.

"It is likely not a question of if we do, it's a question of when," said Peter Shaindlin, Halekulani's chief operating officer and top executive, who took over Sept. 1.

Shaindlin said he would like to identify a property in the next 12 to 18 months and is asking its guests, some of whom return year after year, for suggestions on where they would like to see another Halekulani hotel.

"Perhaps it would be best to offer multiple Halekulani experiences throughout the Pacific Rim," Shaindlin said. However, he added: "We would never want to be what I call a cookie-cutter product."

The company is looking for upscale hotels that Halekulani Corp. would both own and manage, although it also is considering selling ownership of units within such properties.

Shaindlin's vision of expansion focuses on the high-spending habits of the hotel's guests. A quarter of the customers at La Mer, the Halekulani's five diamond French restaurant, are ordering the ultimate dinner menu, which averages $40 extra per person, Shaindlin said.

That doesn't reflect on extravagance, he said. Rather, it is a measure of quality. "The Halekulani guest absolutely insists on the very, very best in quality and service."

Shaindlin replaced Yuri Giga, who now works with Halekulani Corp.'s parent company, Mitsui Fudosan Inc. Mitsui Fudosan bought Halekulani in 1981 and formed Honolulu-based Halekulani Corp. The Waikiki hotel was rebuilt and now has 456 rooms.

Shaindlin also said he wants Halekulani Corp. to help promote O'ahu, which is the island "most misunderstood" as a destination.

"We've got to start banging the drums harder than ever before."

Reach Kelly Yamanouchi at 535-2470, or at kyamanouchi@honoluluadvertiser.com.